Welcome back to This is India! I always have funny/weird stories about India to share with friends or family when I talk to them. This is just meant to be an honest portrayal about my life in India through short anecdotes. I also share here what I’ve been up to online outside Hippie in Heels.

What I was up to other than here:

  • I’m back in India! But only in Goa for a minute because off to Mumbai to speak at a travel fair (wish me luck).
  • Finland was amazing. I am so behind on work though which always happens after a trip. On the journey I read [easyazon_link identifier=”1501106481″ locale=”US” tag=”Hipinhee-20″]The Light Between Oceans[/easyazon_link] and it was amazing. Highly recommend it!

Now your story,

It’s election time in Goa!

In India, during state elections, they do a prohibition of sorts and alcohol gets banned after a certain time in the evening which changes earlier and earlier up until the election day.

Right now, it’s 8:30 at most places although others are saying up until 10 pm. It’s really serious. Unlike other things in India that people might bribe or pay someone off, this is one rule that no restaurants and bars break.

The order said “”All the liquor shops, bars, restaurants, pubs, food joints, shacks should be closed everyday by 11 pm from January 6 to February 2,” (NDTV) but so far places have stopped selling earlier.

It goes until the election on Feb 4th. No big deal to us, but some people who came to Goa for a week to party on vacation hate these rules. In the past, Goa didn’t always follow the rules as much as other states, but they started to at the last election.

I actually thought that this was just so that people wouldn’t drink out of respect but the NDTV articles also says “The administration has also asked flying squads to keep a strict watch on the bars and other places where liquor is sold, as “liquor and food items are usually used by the candidates and political parties to lure voters”.”

So, that makes more sense!

“The district magistrate and district election officer have issued directions to the flying squads, officials of excise department, sector magistrate, police or any other authorised person to keep a strict watch on the movement of large consignment of India Made Foreign Liquor, beer or any other liquor to avoid its distribution by contesting candidates, the order said.”

Other than elections, there are other dry days in India (holidays) and the shops cover up their liquor section with sheets and towels.

This is India!