Panjim: Every Goan child has grown up with memories of this sweet treat. Kadio Bodio or Khaje is a popular street food during Goan feast or zatra (fair).
For the first time after Kadio Bodio got its Geographical Indication (GI) notification in July this year and after the COVID pandemic, it was displayed in the Panjim Church square during the feast, which was observed by Ponjekars as masses celebrated at the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.
There are about six stalls selling out the delicious and fresh Kadio Bodio which is being picked up like hot cakes by the passersby. Bhupendra Gaonkar from Chorao, who attends 20-25 fairs across Goa, was disappointed that they were not allowed to put up their stall at the Old Goa Bom Jesus Church in the first week of December.
“This is for the first time after we got a GI tag, that we are in the market and I have no complaints regarding the sales. We have another big event coming up at Bodgeshwar Temple in Mapusa in January but as of now we are not aware whether we will be permitted to display our products,” said Gaonkar.
The same views resonated in other stalls. “Our annual season begins on November 24 and ends in May. We are delighted to get the GI tag and our products are now recognized. This year we could not sell our products at Old Goa. In Panjim the business is fine. However, it could be better if we are allowed to sell on all events and occasions. We fully understand the prevailing pandemic and its threat and we are taking all precautions as instructed by the government,” said another vendor Charudutta Narvekar.
The major complaint of all the stall owners was that they were not permitted to sell their products at Old Goa which happens to be the beginning of season for them. Pundalik Gaonkar, who is also from Chorao added, “After getting the GI tag we are thrilled. Our product gets global recognition and we are proud of it. However, we were a bit disappointed when we were not allowed to put up our stalls near the Old Goa Church in the last week of November. We could have recovered from the set back of pandemic. For the full season, from November to May, we hardly sell products worth Rs 1-2 lakh.”
Sarpanch of Old Goa Panchayat Janita Madkaikar told Herald that, “Only 200 people are allowed for the December 3 feast. Due to the COVID pandemic no stalls were allowed to be set up.”
Bicholim-based All-Goa Khaje Producers Association (AGKPA) had applied for the tag through the department of Science and Technology last year and finally got the GI tag for Kadio Bodio earlier this year.