Feni is all set to become a “heritage spirit” as the state government has reportedly introduced a bill to this effect in the assembly. It may be recalled that Feni had achieved the status of being Goa’s first Geographical Indication (GI) and also the first liquor product in the country to obtain GI status. Feni had received the status of GI by the Registrar of Geographical Indication under section 16(1) Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999.
It is understood that the government’s move to call Feni as Goa’s heritage drink was to enable trade in world markets and positioning it on equal footing to world famous scotch, whiskey and tequila. However the question to be asked is how many Goans actually drink Feni today? Many probably prefer to drink Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) than the Goan Feni. It is true that traditionally and in rural areas in particular, Feni in small quantities was used to treat colds, cough, indigestion and other common ailments. People belonging to the older generation used to consume the brew before meals after a hard day’s work in the fields and lived a healthy long life. But then can the quality of Feni available in the market today be compared to the brew that was available in the good old days? During the time of our grandfathers and even our fathers the Feni that was available was very pure. The Feni that is now available, with the exception of a few branded ones may not have the desired therapeutic effect. The smell that Feni emits can also be quite repulsive. Better quality of the brew needs to be made available in the market if people are to be attracted to the drink. Today Feni is probably mostly consumed by migrant labourers because it is cheap. That is probably why it earned the “reputation” of being country liquour.
If the government has introduced a bill in the assembly to make Feni a “heritage” drink then it should also exercise control on the quality of the drink that is available in the market. Government needs to have control over the quality of brew that is being produced for consumption in the state if provisions are being made to make Feni a world class drink comparable to scotch, whiskey and tequila
