O ur ancestors and fore father were not rich people but simple and hard working, they were not rich but happy with whatever little money they earned, they did not live in big and luxurious houses but in small huts built with mud and clay and covered the roof with palm leaves of the coconut tree and raft made from the tree trunk which were very strong and with stood the furry of the mother nature. They were healthy and strong as they would walk long distances in order to reach their destination. They were healthy, strong and robust as they lived amidst the natural greenery surrounded with coconut trees and other fruit bearing trees and they lived longer as they breathed fresh and unpolluted air.
Coconut tree was everything for them as they entirely depended on it from the palm leaves to the roots.The leaves were used for covering their huts with the trunk to make rafts and beams and were very strong and long lasting, broomsticks were made to clean their huts and keep them tidy and free from dust and dirt, coir made from the outer cover of the coconut which was used in making different types of brushes that help them for painting their huts and houses and for scrupling the floor, coir string and ropes were also made for tying and to draw water from the wells and for other purposes as well. During their time there were no laundries but only dhobis who would wash their clothes and iron them by using burnt coconut shells.
Tender coconut which has got lot of medicinal values and was used to treat a wide variety of health problems including abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises and burns The coconut water is used to correct the electrolyte imbalance especially low potassium, and in dehydration and jaundices.
Coconut kernal is very sweet and juicy and is used in making different types of curries and sweets. On auspicious occasions such as lying the foundation for a new house or for that matter any other occasion both the Hindus will break the coconut and the Catholics would distribute coconut jaggery and a piece of coconut kernal. Coconut oil is full of nourishment which helps our hair keep them firm and from falling and is also used for massaging our body.
A call to all our present generation and the nature loving people of Goa lets us all follow the footsteps of our ancestors. Unite and fight against those people specially the elected representatives who are working to destroy the scenic view and beauty of Goa saying that coconut tree is just palm in order to help the builder by cutting the beautiful coconut trees for their sake of selfish gains and building concrete jungle and destroy the tourism industry, if we do this tourist will stop coming to Goa in future.
