MARGAO: King Momo Shalom Sardinha has suggested that the government endorse feni as a medicinal drink and to promote it as a part of Goan identity.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Shalom in his avatar as King Momo, said that if taken right and in small measures, feni has medicinal value. He said that traditionally and in rural Goa in particular, feni in small quantities was used to treat colds, coughs, indigestion and other common ailments.
He said that the locally-produced brew is something you can get only in Goa and nowhere else in India. He stressed that there should be proper guidelines maintained while consuming it and it should not be taken in excess.
When asked if he was asking the government to promote it for Carnival, he said it should be promoted all year around and he would be glad to promote it as well and that is definitely something that the Tourism department should consider.
“Don’t look at feni as liquor or a drink to get drunk. It is a unique drink with medical value and these properties of the brew are passed from one generation to another,” Shalom said.
He said the carnival festivities with a message of “eat, drink and be merry” goes well with the concept of encouraging state’s indigenous products.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had recently announced that feni would be classified as ‘heritage brew’, providing it market outside Goa.
The Goa Cashew Feni Distillers and Bottlers Association has said the government should promote feni through the popular carnival.
“We are happy that King Momo is endorsing feni during the carnival. This will be a great push for this brew,” association’s President Mac Vaz said.
Vaz, whose company has recently launched feni product ‘Lembranca’ branding of which was done by famous cartoonist Late Mario Miranda, said it is the “spirit of the soil” that is promoted during such festivities.
