The Goa tourism department's latest initiative to promote Chikal Khalo and Sao Joao to showcase traditional Goan culture is a commendable initiative. While Sao Joao has been popular for quite a few years now courtesy its commercialisation by hotels, institutions and villages, Chikal Khalo or Mud festival has been relatively unknown and below the tourist radar .The three-day Chikal Khalo festival which got off to a rousing start at Shri Devki Krishna temple, Marcel saw many Indian and a few foreign tourists witness the proceedings. This is a good endeavour to exhibit Goa in a far better light than the usual 'beach, booze, nightlife and sab chalta hai' impression which the state is saddled with .The Shigmo and Carnival have been big draws for tourists but the culturally rich Chikhal Kalo will be a unique addition to the tourist calendar. Hopefully, this coupled with hinterland / farm tourism showcasing rural and tribal heritage will change Goa's image for the better and bring in quality tourists instead of the 'masti' riffraff crowd which the State attracts in hordes.
