ERWIN FONSECA
TIRACOL: As Goa marks the 58th anniversary of its Opinion Poll – a significant milestone that reinforced its identity by rejecting a merger with Maharashtra – one region seems untouched by the transformative progress such events heralded. In Tiracol ward of Kerim Panchayat in Pernem, life remains as it has for decades, with the community still relying on neighbouring Maharashtra for its daily needs.
Here, a fascinating story of persistence unfolds through Amar Bagkar, a resident of the nearby village of Reddi in Maharashtra. In an era dominated by motor vehicles and rapid transportation, Amar remains dedicated to the legacy of his family’s bullock cart, a fading symbol of rural life and a lifeline for this remote region.
Reddi lies across the Terekhol River, just metres from Tiracol. While the village boasts historical landmarks like the Reddi Fort, it remains a backward settlement, with cow-dung-plastered houses and an economy heavily dependent on agriculture and mining. On the Goa side, Tiracol is home to about 50 Catholic families. Many of Tiracol’s residents are involved in cashew farming. This border community also houses the Tiracol Fort and a martyrs’ memorial honouring Sheshnath Wadekar, Alfred Afonso, and Hirve Guruji, who played significant roles in Goa’s freedom struggle.
Despite its historical importance, Tiracol is physically isolated, with little direct connectivity. Residents here have always depended on Reddi for essentials, and the services of people like Amar have remained crucial in bridging the gap.
For 40-year-old Amar Bagkar, the bullock cart is not just a vehicle; it represents a way of life passed down through generations. He has been using the cart for the past 25 years, primarily for personal agricultural needs, but its history ties deeply with the community. “My father began operating a bullock cart soon after the liberation of Goa,” Amar recalls. “He helped residents of Tiracol, who had no transport facilities, by carrying both people and goods to nearby markets in Shiroda.”
Amar remembers how his father’s cart was indispensable for Tiracol’s farmers, most of whom were cashew cultivators. “During those days, many farmers would ferment and process cashew to prepare alcohol. The bullock cart was the only mode of public transport available, and it was affordable even for the poorest.”
Young Amar grew up watching his father ‘pilot’ people across villages, offering an essential service that earned them respect and admiration. “The oxen we use today were born during my father’s time. These bulls have been with us for decades,” he says proudly. While adults viewed the cart as a necessity, for children, it was a joyride and a cherished part of their childhood.
The advent of modern transportation has made the bullock cart obsolete. Even in Tiracol, most families now own private vehicles, and small hotels have popped up, making the community less reliant on Reddi’s services. Yet, Amar has refused to abandon the practice. “I know people in Goa and even in Maharashtra have moved away from bullock carts, but for me, it is a family tradition. My father used it to serve the community, and I cannot discard it so easily,” he says.
Amar’s fields provide paddy, vegetables, groundnuts, and beans. He uses the cart to carry tools to the fields and transport his harvest home or to the markets when buyers don’t come directly to purchase produce. “These bulls plough the fields and pull the cart. They are an integral part of our livelihood,” he explains. However, the challenges are many. This year’s erratic rainfall, combined with leaks in the Tillari irrigation project, has disrupted his winter crop. “The heavy rains destroyed many fields, delaying our paddy harvest and planting of the winter crops. It has been tough,” Amar shares.
In Tiracol, residents now move on scooters, cars, and buses, leaving little space for nostalgia. Yet Amar continues to uphold the bullock cart tradition, even as its practicality diminishes. “For me, this is more than transport; it’s my father’s legacy and a part of our cultural heritage. I hope it is remembered, even if no one continues it after me.”
A tradition under threat
Amar fears the tradition of bullock carts may die with his generation. "Today, few people want to raise cows or oxen. If anything happens to the animals, many just leave them to fend for themselves. That’s a very bad attitude," he remarks. He insists that proper grazing lands and caretakers are necessary to preserve the practice and ensure livestock is well-maintained.