Hygiene, The Lost Treasure In Goa
We Goans love Fish, football and feni read a banner, that I still remember seeing during the inaugural Nerhu Cup in Goa, played for the first time on the newly constructed Fatorda Stadium. There is no doubt that majority of Goans just cannot do without our fish, football and feni, now with the price of fish, fast catching up with the price of gold, a lot of people who cannot afford have been forced to cheaper options which too are limited if not totally restricted. During my stay in Margao during my holidays, when my kids use to study it was my weekly routine to go to the wholesale fish market very early in the morning between 4:30 to 5:30 AM. There were a number of reasons for this routine that I use to religiously follow. I was the early bird right from my childhood so had the choice of worms too, at that time the market use to be less crowded, I just hate crowded places, the fish at that time is much fresher than later, variety of choice and good bargains and most of all less mess and stink around. I was told that with time, the heat and the stink get unbearable and the mess and water logging around is appalling. I dare not go late. Once unfortunately I landed in Goa during the rainy season and by George, what I saw made me sick to the pit of my stomach. I was on my bike the whole market submerged in ankle deep greasy dark water which was seeping into the fish baskets, there was cow dung, dog crap and the red smears of the "paan" on plastic and papers floating, stale fish and garbage scattered everywhere and moving in every direction, and still people waded through and bought the fish, it took me just a few seconds to turn my bike around and puke by the side of the road. Since then I have never ever gone to the wholesale fish market during the rains. During the normal season it not as bad but still very unpleasant and unhygienic. Today's article on the Herald about the appalling state of the wholesale fish market brought back the haunting memories. Fish is a major money spinner and more so in Goa, fish is also the basic ingredient of our meals, some even have it for breakfast and it is also fish that can affect most Goans if hygiene is not maintained in the markets. During the earlier days we had to do with the pathetic and appalling state of the fish market in the heart of the city and under the very nose of the Margao Municipality and now with the shifting of the fish market the sorry tale has not ended but become worse. When will our Authorities ever learn the dynamics of hygiene ? With the employment fish generates in Goa and the rate it's consumed, why do the Authorities not upgrade the fish markets and maintain the hygiene levels that should be maintained ? Like all else in Goa the most frequently visited sites and places are in dire states, public toilets, bus terminals, markets, government offices and even our airport, tells a sorry tale of the inefficiency and the apathy of our Authorities. Our Politicians frequently make jaunts to foreign countries at the cost of the exchequer, how come they don't see, feel and learn the significance of hygiene there ? The attitude of our Authorities and politicians towards hygiene is very unfortunate and deplorable, the price for which, innocent people may have to pay with their lives. The world over hygiene is the word attached to every aspect of their way of life, but sadly, in Goa, it's a lost treasure that perhaps even the famous treasure hunters Laura Croft, Indian Jones may not be able to stumble on to or find. It's indeed another sad story of the once beautiful Goa. Freddy Agnelo Fernandes ##################################################################################### The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or otherwise placing reliance on the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful in certain legal jurisdictions. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. #####################################################################################