Ancestral Goa was peaceful and clean. Our fishermen went to sea in rowing boats and canoes and returned with fresh fish catch to the pristine shores. The nets were emptied on the white sand shores and fish was sold to the locals who came to buy their regular daily quota; the remaining catch was sold at the local tinto (village market place) or taken to the city markets. The fresh fish made delicious Goan curry: bangdeanchem (mackeral) kaldin, sungtanchi (prawn) koddi and ambottik from the other big variety of fish. When fried, the tempting aroma filled the air surrounding the houses. But this is now only history, for so much Goa has changed since liberation.
The FDA raid on 17 fish trucks coming from different States made bad news for the Goans. The presence of formalin, a chemical causing cancer, as reported in the media, kicked much dust in the air. For how long this has been going on nobody knows, but the Govt wakes up now from its slumber to safeguard the health of the people by taking strong measures to avoid fish from other States coming to the city markets. However, the interesting point to note is the follow up FDA report says that formalin on tested fish is found to be within permissible limits. As is always, ministers came marching in to clarify their stand on the issue. Isn’t this a mockery sort of, or was formalin, a farcical show well planted game to divert the attention of the public from the many issues the Govt has to find a solution for?
From vegetables to fruits; fish to meat; sweets to soft drinks; it’s common knowledge by now that today we consume chemicals in some way or the other. That endangers our very existence in present times. The main reason behind the use of chemicals is money which has become a craze with the business community and sundry wage earners, for somehow day’s earning has to be earned to survive. And as for those in power, the easiest way to come clean is: Within permissible limits all is well, nothing to fear, we are with you. Strange language to hear these days. Indeed!
