TUESDAYS WITH MADE IN SALIGOA

A nurse by profession, an artist by vocation, a recent author (A Song for Saligao) and a ‘giver’ in a more divine sense, Clarice Vaz is a formidable  woman at many levels. Meeting her at the ‘Made in Saligao’ programme - a tiny villager’s market that is held every Tuesday at the Saligao Institute and witnessing her keen hawk like presence, ensuring that every detail is in precise order, while simultaneously using her innate marketing sense in promoting the event on social media to entice and engage a wider audience; it is evident that her passion is stamped on this interesting initiative that celebrates the spirit of community. 

 “It isn’t just me but a group of us Saligaokars who make this happen,” insists Clarice. The 90-year-old Saligao Institute saw a revival in May with architect, Dean D’cruz taking over at the helm; trying to initiate new workshops, recreational events and skills training that could be of help to the residents of Saligao. “I always wanted to work on a market concept that promoted local produce and skills, without involving any middlemen. The idea is to offer a platform for local entrepreneurs so I readily volunteered to bring it together,” says Clarice. 

Started in November 2019, the “Made in Saligao” market has met with much success; and not just in the virtual world with more than 1000 people following their Facebook page within three months of its inception. Shares Clarice, “We were able to break many barriers - caste barriers were broken with everyone coming together as one, irrespective of religion or status. We’ve broken patriarchy by ensuring that husbands and wives work together in promoting their business and more importantly by empowering people especially women in supplementing their income.”     

So, what was their modus operandi and how did they tackle this onerous task of earning people’s trust and participation? Clarice elaborates, “As a practising nurse, I have attended many emergency calls and over the years, I gained intimate access into the lives of my village people. Through chronicling my visual stories, I got the rare chance to know many of them and gain their trust. 

Besides, Maria Fernandes, who was part of the ‘Mahila Mandal’ was invaluable in reaching out to local women entrepreneurs.” 

The 20 artisans who form this group are an interesting mix of the old with traditional skills and the youth with modern ideas and trendy products. Interesting stories of resilience and strength: surmounting the loss of a loved one, overcoming fear, finding purpose and the re-ignition of a retired life - all form the backdrop to this magnificent opus. 

Ambrose Vaz, a retired bank officer and agriculturalist who suffered from an infection in his leg, found his calling post surgery, through Macramé - the art of knotting cotton rope without using a needle. 

Similarly, Connie Godinho who is now wheelchair bound after a freak accident in 2011, found a renewed zest once her hobby of crocheting took off to a flying start.  “Connie’s unique Crochet Christmas Stars were a hit at the market. She went on to receive many orders from local restaurants and even Goans living abroad,” Clarice beams. 

Youngsters like Sharon Lobo impress with her Découpage art; Poornima Sakhalkar’s terracotta items and Emera Remedios’s array of handmade soaps, body scrubs & salts - all chemical free and natural, are a treat! Exotic appeal is achieved with Rainon Fernandes’ Brew Biotic flavoured Kombucha, Elaine Nathan’s Seed Crackers and healthy muffins and Dew Sivapon Vaz’s organically grown Thai vegetables - fresh from her farm to the market!

One can’t help but be impressed by the fortitude of Mary Dias, who resumed her knitting and crocheting hobby post the tragic demise of her child. All these individual stories come together as a singular paean of hope and community sharing. “Initially, we had only 8 people who enrolled to put up stalls and many were reluctant. In fact, there were some who wanted to join only once it got successful,” Maria explains. She adds with a chuckle, “Today, the same people are on the wait-list.” Clarice, expectedly has a process in place to ensure that those who do get a stall are vetted and adhere to quality standards. In fact, she also plans to get the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) involved for their approval on the food sold at the market.

It sure takes a village to not just raise a child but to keep the village itself alive. Dayanita Singh, legendary photographer, long time resident and one of the committee members who manages ‘Precious Pages’ for the market (an eclectic collection of books on sale at throw away prices), is all praise for the team when she says, “Tuesdays are now synonymous with the ‘Made in Saligao’ market programme. Between Clarice and Frederick Noronha, they have revived the Institute.” 

At this market, nothing is too outrageous. Recently, they also had a live Combo (rooster) on sale and puppies to be adopted. It’s not surprising then when Clarice exclaims, “I am looking at getting a cow next and have fresh milk available.” On display, is also a sense of camaraderie and kindness that transcends the seemingly transactionary nature of a market. 

Clarice, nostalgically adds, “We are losing ethnic Goans as a diaspora. It is good to evolve with the times but we shouldn’t lose the simplicity of the slice of life that once was.” With effective use of technology and social media, if Goans living in continents far away feel just as connected to their village as someone living in it, that itself is mission accomplished. 

Viva, Saligao!