[Gulf Goans] KONKAN CURRY - by Miguel Braganza

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 00:02:55 -0800

www.goa-world.com

 

 

KONKAN  CURRY

by Miguel Braganza

 

 

The “Reader” is a designation of honour at any university. In rank, the Reader is a step higher than the “Lecturer”. The Reader is one who delves deep into the subject matter on which others lecture or demonstrate. He is the thinker and philosopher. So I believe is the “Reader” of my column. The reader is always the focus of what I write. This column is dedicated to you, dear reader.

 

This column is titled the Konkan Curry as it will deal with the flavours of this coastal strip that has Goa at its heart, right there in the middle of it all! From Maharashtra to the northern end of the Malabar Coast in Kerala, the flavour of the Konkan changes ever so subtly. The taste remains the same.

 

Goa is a hub of activity. It is the “Front Office” of the Konkan that is known to foreign and domestic tourists alike. Goa is identifiable as a brand, a quality assurance standard akin ISI, BIS or AGMARK. The tourist enterprise called ‘Goa’ gets its supplies from various places. The vegetables from Belgaum, the onions from Nasik, flowers from Bangalore, Alphonso mangoes from Devgad, jamun from Kankavli or kokum syrup from Kudal are as much a part of Goa as Khola chillies from Canacona, cashew nuts from Bicholim and cucumbers from Farmagudi. The taste of Goa is that of a Konkan Curry. Hence, the name Konkan Curry.

 

This is a “can-do” column that will share success stories that can be replicated and ideas that can be implemented. It will share the good news and occasionally look at the things that went wrong but can be corrected now for a better future. The story of Konkani or Konknni, the language of the Konkan and the official language of Goa, is one such topic. The tourism scenario is another. However, that will come later. Let us begin the journey with the best foot forward.

Confucius is quoted as having said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” He might not have said it. Definitely, a “mile” was not a measure of distance in China during his lifetime. It does not really matter. It does not matter whether China attacked India in 1962 or vice-versa. Most people in the Konkan do not even know where Arunachal Pradesh is. So why argue about Aksai Chin? The fact remains: someone has to take the first step.

 

It has been my fortune to have been associated with some good initiatives. The Konkan Fruit Festival facilitated by the Botanical Society of Goa (BSG) is one. The fruit growers and processors of the Konkan get a market and Goa gets the mileage. The Western Ghats Kokum Foundation (WGKF) is taking it a step further with another crop, Garcinia indica. Today, the National Horticulture Mission recognises it as a “fruit” crop instead of it being a “minor spice” that it was thus far.

 

The Goa Heritage Action Group (GHAG) is documenting the built up heritage of Goa: houses, temples, churches, chapels, fort and moats. It has also ventured into the local dance forms. Some people in Goa have not seen Talgadi, Zagor or Goff. This weekend (29 & 30 October) they can both see and learn about them at Kala Academy, for free. They can also join me to watch the Davli Mandi, Chapay and Rannmale for the first time on Sunday. The Fontainhas Fest is also coming back with a bang in November.

 

A magazine called “Dulpod” has been recently launched to promote music and performing arts of the Goa and Konkan. (Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] or [EMAIL PROTECTED]). It is nice to see the “inclusive” attitude widening its base. TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More. That is the motto of this Konkan Curry.

 

Send in your suggestions and success stories. Please remember to include your address, email ID and phone number. More the merrier.

 

Miguel Braganza is a Goencho Katri-panv [locally evolved hard-crust bread with four horns], horticulturist and editor of PLUS tabloids since 2001.


KONKAN FRUIT FEST                   www.goa-world.com/goa/fruitfest/

 

 

 

Links archived by www.goa-world.com

http://www.goa-world.com/goa/fruitfest/index.htm

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshowicicinri/1101679.cms

http://onlypunjab.com/fullstory2k5-insight-news-status-25-newsID-3612.html

 

 

- Forwarded by Gaspar Almeida, Associate, www.goa-world.com



This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter archived at www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans is dedicated to Goans around the Globe and is moderated/edited by Gaspar Almeida (since 1994) and presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website.

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