NESHWIN ALMEIDA
neshwinalmeida@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Everyday at 8 in the morning and at 9 in the evening since February 7, Borda has been a home to men with massive guns, military uniforms and heavy artillery after all the strong room of the EVMs is located in the brand new Government College of Arts and Commerce building behind the Multi-Purpose College at Borda.
It’s interesting how at 9 pm the CISF guards in their military uniform and massive guns enter the Bangalore Bakery and eat cakes while some march towards Fernandes Shawarma corner and are munching on the shawarma while the others eat their dose of bhaji puri and sheera at Damodar Restaurant.
“In a way it feels safe and I go for a night walk after dinner within Borda because the military guys are there and they themselves are very friendly,” explains Tanisha Naik from Borda.
While Kedar Hede’s wife and his family that live opposite they strong room which is turned into a fortress with cameras and LED lights tells us how she feels sad for the men who stand the entire day and she’s allowed the jawans and the Goan Police to use her garden pipe to take water whenever they require since they stand tall for hours.
While David Pereira explains how he runs a small shawarma booth outside his wine stall and the shwarma booth has got steady business from CISF personnel when they are off duty in the evening.
“We’re from UP and we’re missing elections back home. We will vote through postal ballot. But here in Borda people are very hospitable. I actually know a lot of familiar faces who smile at us in the evenings. We can’t be too friendly also as security men but on my off duty I do greet the people in the vicinity,” explained a CISF personnel who advises us not to publish his name.
The ros omlet gadda, the Udupi restaurants, the shwarma stall, the fruit vendors, the cold drink kiosk and the ice cream stall that helps beat the heat will miss these armed men who give them business while bringing security to a neighbourhood that had seen multiple thefts before the election code.
But this association of seeing armed men gorging on creamy cakes with guns on their back will end on March 11 at Borda post counting results. Also the younger boys who on their way to their evening sort will miss interacting with the cops and military men and envying their massive guns.
