Brijesh Saran from Mokamma in Bihar has
been going home a couple of times a year, taking leave from his work as a shack
waiter in Morjim. He has turned a hero overnight, not because he worked in Goa,
but because he returns laden with pictures of him with Russian girls,
exhibiting their fondness and affection for young Brijesh (so he thinks). So we
shall forgive him for feeling like Brad Pitt as he enters Mokamma with a
swagger and a shake. He has even learnt to say Kak Deyla or hello in Russian,
which to the learned wise men in Mokamma is no less than getting the highest
doctarate degree from the distinguished Patna University, the Harvard of Bihar.
Yours truly has been meeting Brijesh since
he started off on a beach shack run by a
friend in Candolim, years ago, till he decided to step into the international
waters of Morjim for more Sun, Sea and Russia. Thus, for his trips back home,
Brijesh was a full blooded ‘Russia returned’. He has a Facebook account and
Whats App too and during rare moments when 2G comes to life, and shocks the
hell out of the elite of Mokamma, Brijesh shows off pictures and flirty
messages from his Russian girlfriends from Morjim, shooting his brand equity
and social stock in Mokamma to high heavens.
He once- jokingly i thought- said he is called ‘Brijesh Russian’ in his
neck of the woods.
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This Christmas, the Mokamma born Don Juan,
Brijesh Saran, stares at empty tables in
his shack, his inbox empty, the girls gone and the catch phrases and the lines
he learnt to impress customers fading into distant memory.
Over the years guys like Saran had a lifestyle perestroika, with the rouble
economy with the tips and the monies earned doubling his actual salary.
From
lands, to hotels, to sundry jobs, to parties and events, everything was
controlled by the Russians. They still rent out cars and bikes, run taxi
services, have their own crèche and a school for kids and have their decide
what’s fit to print and read through their local paper Shanti Times, which
needs no government registration or ads. But these are slowly becoming things
of the past.
As a bit of panic sets in, especially among
folks like Saran’s owners, hope lies in the expected arrivals from Israel and
Turkey. But that’s just hope.
Away in Arambol, journalist turned
corporate communications head turned resort in charge, Vikant Sahay lounges on
the edge of his place, Jolly Park looking into the vast expanse of the sea,
hoping, like in the days of yore, ships would sail in, bringing with them
returned hungry travellers in need of rest and recreation. Both are available
in plenty in Arambol. What’s missing are those who used to want them.
But every crisis has beneficiaries. And
look who is getting a bit of warmth, an extra smile, quick service and finally
the unthinkable “when do we see you again”. The same species who moved around
in their underwear, displaying their pot bellied torsos, in a stupour thinking
they were walking the ramp, but never got invited by anyone or to any
restaurant, especially in the Morjim Arambol belt- this species called
“Indians”. They eat like crazy, so what if
garlic bread, roast chicken and soup
have to be replaced with butter chicken and Maa ki Daal, which is made
in every good Punjabi restaurant and called Maa ki Daal, though mom never makes
it? Well, there is some perverse pleasure to be derived indeed, if the high
nosed Russian devotees are forced to
make Maa ki Daal in the kitchens of Morjim.
There is hope though. As Sahay, has
virtually shifted base from Panjim to the land of the gorgeous sunsets, he is
getting more quality time with family. As his daughters play in the still
unspoilt sands of Arambol, perhaps it’s time to look at a slower Goa, a quieter
Goa and a Goa where old friends of the past return, like the Britishers, Goa’s
most loyal tourists and settlers.
So what will happen to folks like Brijesh
Saran, our Casanova from Mokamma. Well, parties have an ending. But we are sure
he will settle back in and develop new acquaintances and friends. But he will
have to live with Maa ki Daal lovers and may not quite have friendly Russian
girls in his embrace. Our dude, like many others in Morjim will have to get
real.
Therefore, it’s time to say Poka meaning
bye or see you later. Well the latter may not quite happen soon.
