Knowing the worth of a coconut tree

 There goes a saying “Coconut water – good for your daughter”, but does the BJP Government think so? What a shame, it is the Goans who are today hell bent on cutting down coconut trees; raze the majestic coconut groves for widening roads for the real estate.  Ulhas Buyao, would shudder, in disbelief, for had it not been for the coconut palm, his lovely poem and the immortal song, which is ringing loud in every Goans heart, would never be. Romance under the shade of the coconut tree, study and inspirations within the coconut grove; have afforded most Goans solace and the unique identity of remaining tall at all times.

As tall as the coconut palm, we say and many Goans have risen high, the world over. These tall Goans have made us proud by being rooted to their culture whenever they may be.  Give dog a bad name and shoot  it, and our crab mentality is what that is pulling us down, and, now it is the humble and ever serving coconut palm which is sought to  be axed, by the party with a difference – the BJP!

 For me, from birth and surely in death and thereafter too, the life is associated closely with the invaluable coconut palm.  As a child, do I recall very very faintly, my grandmother rubbing coconut oil all over my body. This made my muscles strong and I was walking by the time.  I was nine months old, and, now at seventy I have significant black hair, thanks to the coconut oil which I still use to massage and groom my hair.  Ask a Goan beauty the secret of her glowing skin and you will know the secrets lie in the composition of a home extracted coconut oils from a stone mill. Vanaspati oils from coconut palm have diverse uses in the food and chemical industry; in soap and in margarine manufacture too and also in the preparation of lubricants 

How can a thorough bred Goan who craves and sustains himself on coconut fish curry, almost daily, ever think that, this ever at your service palm tree does not require protection”.  If cow is considered sacred, the coconut tree is far holier than the “holy cow”.  Where are the protagonists of Indian culture? Oops or the Goan culture?  Are these self styled saviours of Goaness, who rave and rant against English and draw out a trishul at the “sound of Beef Xacuti” ever realise that a coconut palm even sustains the holy cow.  Coconut tree evolved many millions years before the cow appeared and sustained life. 

The Government of Goa and its mediocre bureaucracy have failed to realise and harness optimally the true potentials of the coconut palms and is allowing the builders lobby to decimate the coconut groves.

 Going back in time, as a small boy I used to help granny weave the coconut leaves into structural roof material (Korna) which protected our homes from the fury of the monsoon rains.  What about a “Rain coat”.  Both granny and I used to march to our rice fields during July-September to supervise and ensure we had a good harvest, all under a rain coat made from the coconut leaves.

Oh-la-la. Coming back home after the day’s work it was coconut, coconut everywhere and all around.  My rice porridge in the morning had grated coconut and my yesterday’s coconut, curry or caldin was a good accompaniment.

Kismur, crab xec-xec and clams (tisreos) has grated coconut. Almost all vegetable dishes are based in coconut. And every evening, coconut based sweets, Dodol, Pinarg, Doce, Batkh, Corcor, Bol, Coconut slices in jaggery, Ale-bele, Neuros, Bolinas.  All over, sweets were based with rice, coconut, jaggery and eggs.

Nobody even says, never ever cut down a coconut tree.  Had our fore fathers never ever cut a coconut tree, they would not have gone sailing in river, fishing or crossed the high seas in boats and used canoes, visiting places, Vodekara, Vodekara, who takes a damsel to Shiroda used the coconut rafter or canoe to oblige the damsel in distress, and thus, made her dance the famous dekne to his tune.  Goans know well when to bring down a coconut palm in a sustainable manner.

 Woh! Every Goan would see the humble coconut shell or husk in various art forms. I still hold the precious coconut shell spoon (Doulo) to fetch rice in my plate from the Budkulo (pot). The coconut chutneys are a hit even today.  In chemical or pharmaceutical industry activated carbon from burnt shells of coconut is used to remove pigments and purify waters.  There is no need to undergo stringent gymnastics with steel equipments.  The coir ropes and swings are extremely useful and sturdy exercise materials.  Often coir ropes are used to anchor ships to docks.  We launch or inaugurate using a coconut.  We honour persons and offer a coconut as a sign of respect and gratitude.  Now we want to cut this tree, a symbol of respect.

The government of the day, may call coconut; not a tree, deserving protection. But would the Goans accept and follow or give a befitting reply?  Only time will tell the answer as 15 lakhs Goans residing here and over 5 million of Gaonkars all round the world surely consider “Coconut Tree” both sacred and ingrained  in their culture; majestically tall graceful and charming. Will Goans help to save this palm, which in any other name would always smell and serve our identity, heritage and culture till eternity.