Seek GI tag for Pez
Pez, also known as Canjee, is a Goan rice porridge which epitomises the essence of Goemkarponn. Crafted with the ‘boiled rice’ it is traditionally slow-cooked in clay pots. In Goan homes Pez prepared from red parboiled rice is usually served before noon with fried salted fish besides tender raw mango pickled in brine and concentrated previous day’s curry. The warm gruel is satisfying and filling. Pez is also consumed by Goan Catholics on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. It is consumed by Goan workers working tirelessly out in the fields under the hot sun thus hydrating them and providing the energy and nutrition to do the laborious work. This simple food is also given to the sick and the convalescing as it is easy to digest, nutritious which aids in regaining back the strength and any loss of appetite. Pez is also served to parishioners in several parishes in Goa after the mass on feast days. It is high time all Goan restaurants included it in their menus. It will give the present generation a taste of true Goan culture since the traditional Pez is probably not served in several Goan homes. With the acquisition of Geographical Indication tag for many Goan products, it provides recognition and protection to unique products. Efforts are being made to acquire GI tags for the local Goan products; It would be in the fitness of things to also acquire GI tag for the traditional Goan Pez.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Ties for energy
It would be an understatement to describe the two-day visit of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, to India as “successful”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself set the tone by personally receiving the Emir at the airport. Qatar, an influential player in the Middle East under the changed political dynamics in the region, is an energy powerhouse through which India stands to gain. It provides 45 per cent of India’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) requirement. The rich bilateral trade is propped up by the strong Indian labour force in Qatar. Both countries have pledged to almost double the current bilateral trade of $15 million in the next five years. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad’s visit saw bilateral ties between New Delhi and Doha being elevated to “strategic partnership” similar to India’s partnership with other Gulf countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Sovereignty imperilled
The concept of sovereignty is a relatively new phenomenon in history, the primal instinct to extend borders and encroach on a neighbour’s land has never really left the human psyche. There can be no better example of this than Ukraine, 20 per cent of whose territory is now under Russian occupation. The peace talks initiated by Russia and the US on the neutral territory of Saudi Arabia to end the war does ironically not have any representative from Ukraine, the sufferer. This could point to a nefarious plan by the two superpowers to divide up the former USSR constituent between themselves with the Ukrainians being declared persona non grata. Trump’s utterances on acquiring Greenland, merging Canada into USA as the latter’s 51st state, annexing the Panama Canal and other assorted hyperbole are ominous signs that the world order or whatever is left of it is sought to be criminally upended by two rogue presidents. It was after World War II that sovereignty and respect for territorial integrity were codified and enshrined in international law, but countries have only paid lip service to the concept of a self-governing supreme authority. Many wars spread across the globe after cessation of hostilities in World War II are undeniable evidence to the fact, the world has never been really at peace, ever. As the international rules based order loosens, such cartographic conquests are but resurfacing of primordial impulses of land grabs, sovereignty will become a question of might,
not right.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
In praise of Europe
Many aspects of life in Europe are impressive. Being courteous, caring and compassionate is a way of life and the only positive way to move ahead. Remarkably there is not an iota of that VIP culture whatsoever. Traffic is never diverted or traffic lights switched off to make way for a VIP to cruise through, while inconveniencing the public. The political class is usually accountable, and they tumble at the slightest fumble. The absence of the malaise of political sycophancy is a boon towards a fair and dignified society. The all-round very high level of transparency and accountability is what makes the difference. One may never need to exercise the ‘right to information’, as those checks and balances of public scrutiny are inborn and always in place. A truly independent press that values freedom of speech also holds those with responsibility accountable in the public interest. The administration and the law enforcement authorities are totally insulated from any political meddling. And of course that institutionalised corruption is not a way of life. Public transport is so very dependable, clean, safe and extremely user friendly. And that very essential availability of Wi-Fi on trains, buses and even in almost every café besides public places is a communication bonanza.
Aires Rodrigues, London
