It's only when we have a problem that we think of those who offer us various services in Saligao. When my tire gets punctured, I think of Tukaram, who has a tyre-repair shop conveniently located a hundred metres away from St Anne's Chapel, towards Sangolda.
The other day, I needed to get a kick-pedal welded onto my bike. It was then that I realised that Saligao had its own welding unit, approximately opposite the old rice mill on the CHOGM Road (near the Saligao Supermarket). In recent months, a new roadside garage operating not far from the Sonarbhat band helps to maintain our scooters in shape. Rather than paying a mechanic in Panjim, you get a job done closer and possibly cheaper too. In fairness, it must be acknowledged that some village services can be costlier than parallel ones in town. That could be because tiny businesses set up here suffer from a limited number of customers. Saligao has its barbers, who are migrants from Andhra Pradesh. While this has put pressure on the old hair-cutting establishments, both of which were in the market area, it has also meant some new services. Our village must be one of the few places where you can get a hair-cut done even at 9 pm -- and even the nearby towns like Panjim and Mapusa don't offer such a facility. Sometimes, it's relaxing to accept a head-massage at the barber's, which comes (together with a haircut and beard trim) for just Rs 40-45 at current prices. Shanti, who stays near the last turn leading out of the village to Calangute (not far from the Delaney's home) offers a service of cooked Goan-style meals at home. For the elderly or those living on their own, this can be a good option. Florentine, the restaurant near the Villa Saligao (and the Saligao Church) has built its reputation on a single dish -- chicken cafreal -- as many of the meat eaters on this list would know better than me. It would be nice if we could do something to help our local businesses. Before she moved to Australia, Shannon did a useful job in compiling a two-pager village directory, listing the micro-businesses here. Somehow, everyone could benefit if these outlets get more work and become more viable. Here's wishing them all the best. FN _______________________________________________ Saligao 403511 website http://saligao.goa-india.org Saligaonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goacom.org/mailman/listinfo/saligaonet
