The Indian Railways and Memories of Moira Stray Thoughts of a Toronto Goan - By Roland Francis
Arab lands, ships sailing on global oceans, the happy life in East Africa, the attraction of the elite ranks of the British Indian armed forces and bureaucratic administration and the emigration to mother-country Portugal, were magnets that drew Goans for most of the 20th century, continuing even today though differently. Basra, Abadan and Aden turned to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. East Africa gave way to Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. Cargo ships and the Grand Old Ladies of the P&O and BI morphed into Holland American, Disney and Carnival holiday cruisers. What did change is the solid core of Goan Generals, Secretaries and top police ranks fading away into the sunset. MHOWs (Military Headquarters of War) in the glorious Goan past gave way to Swindons, in our not so glorious present. One of such lost services is the Indian Railways. Once dominated by Anglo-Indian and Goans in equal measure, the rail network was a fine example of how a service could be rendered to the country's general public. From Engine and Train Drivers, to Foremen in loco workshops maintaining the rolling stock to the Way Inspectors who were charged with keeping the tracks in good working order, to the Divisional and Zonal Managers and ultimately to the members of the Railway Board, Goans did credit to all positions. That was the time that trains ran perfectly and on time, no matter what came in the way. There could have been rivalry between the Goans and the Anglo-Indians since they were both dominant and vied for the same positions, but instead, there was only mutual respect and co-operation with a healthy dose of competition on the job, on playing fields and for the pretty girls you could find everywhere in railway colonies. The railwaymen knew how to work as well as to play. They didn't earn much even by the standards of the day, but they lived in large well-kept bungalows and what they earned they spent quickly and well with no regrets. Why stash the cash for tomorrow if it could be used for some fun today, they believed. Living in a Railway Colony, like Africa, guaranteed a good life. The women taught in the school and volunteered everywhere else. They were great cooks, gardeners and excellent dancers. Somewhere in all of this, they found time to pass on the faith and strong moral values to their children. Christmas was robustly celebrated the whole season with events for children and adults every day in the Institute or on the grounds. But in time, the Anglo-Indians emigrated, younger Goans found fresh pastures elsewhere and the railway life that was once famous is now no more. Here is a walk down memory lane for the forthcoming Christmas season from a German engineer, a Xavier's college man and proud Moidecar who although he departed for German shores 60 years ago, never fails to frequently visit his beloved village. "The church feast in December with the "salves" was of course a highlight of the year. For us, the event had a special charm because the bhojekar made the bhojes 'in situ' using a small kerosene stove. It was pitch dark and the burning stove and may be a small kerosene lamp with a wick was the only source of light in the darkness. It was romantic, and we lined up to collect a small portion, we could hardly afford to pay, to be munched on the way home. We were always hungry! The Feast day of course was a bigger affair. As youngsters, we got a pair of new short pants and may be a shirt for the occasion in addition to at the most one rupee for the "feira" from godparents or parents. The money was spent on sweets like laddus, kario-bhorio and revreu. Till today, despite diabetes, I relish these sweets in Goa and wonder if they could not be made with a pinch of insulin! Our unforgettable Concu Mauxi was in command of the kitchen preparing the delicacies of Cabidel, Sorpatel, Sanna, Odde, "arroz refugado" and so on." Happy memories. Forwarded by Eddie Fernandes