Going going Goan in shack-ahari Goa

Goa has been one of India's top goa-to destinations for tourists for decades on end. Other than the state's coastal beauty and blue waters, travellers love the seaside shacks for their range of food and drinks, friendly-to-funky staff, and the laid-back Goan susegad vibes. Since tourists come from all over the world and parts of India, shack menus are not quite 'Goan'. Instead, it's a mishmash of desi and global cuisine - you get your mud crabs and grilled salmon with your feni, and you'll also get your chicken tikka and rogan josh with your Palolem Beach rum for those who want 'ghar ka khana'.

But the state government now seems to have local ideas. In a bid to promote tourism, it has made it mandatory for all shacks to 'display and serve' Goan dishes, including fish curry-rice. The idea is to project the state's 'rich cuisine' to tourists whether they'd like to dip into it or not. While there is nothing wrong in giving tourists a taste of Goan food, what doesn't sound right is this 'mandatory' bit that sits rather unwell with the chill-out vibes. Plus, what is the link between serving fish in coconut gravy and increasing tourist traffic? Tourists who love local khana will find their way to a feni'n'fish'n'rice shop. Let the local food remain the secret sauce for those who consider themselves true-blue authenticity tourists.