VOCAL FOR GOACAL

from Incredible Goa Food & Hospitality July 2022 Issue

TRAVEL TALES

PODER- GOA’S ALARM CLOCK!

By Armaan Malhotra Image by: Armaan Malhotra

A poder is as synonymous to Goa as are its beaches. The tourists might not know the importance of a poder ’ s role in the life of all locals, but we know what a poder means to us.

His typical horn is almost like a morning alarm that brings with it the freshly baked breads and his honking in the evening is like a signal to get the evening tea rolling. I see them hopping each lane of the colony and then standing for hours around the market corner, never missing a day. Last year when ‘Taukte ’ swayed Goa, I remember how the first 3 days were almost disastrous. With power cuts that lasted more than 50-60 hours, all food deliveries closed and people being stuck at home all we saw was falling trees, lashing winds and thunderous rains. But then too my surprise, in between those fallen trees and walking against that lashing rain and wind, I saw our poder. The wind was so harsh that riding a cycle was almost impossible and even walking with his cycle seemed like a difficult task. But he was somehow managing it, still blowing his horn and bringing people their breads. Even during those strange conditions, he came every single day, fighting against the odds and being totally committed to his job. For me, in its own way, this act was heroic. It moved me and compelled me to applaud his gesture. We as a family clapped for him as he made his way through our lane. It did not stop there, a few days went by but I could not get over his picture of balancing the cycle against the wind, making way through fallen trees and still delivering breads at people ’ s doorstep. I knew I had to speak to him, to thank him and to know his story, someday. Almost an year passed. Just a few days ago when it was yet again raining heavily and I saw him coming and I just knew it was the day. I went down to speak to him. His name was Nagraj, a name that is a true testament of his hard work and sheer dedication. Nagraj has been selling pois ’ for 3 years now

and sells about 500 pois

’ in a day He starts early at 6 AM every day and works till 10 PM in the night. From selling to baking pois in a small bakery that he works for, his 16 hour long working day is full of hardships but he does everything with a smile and for him bringing food to people is his biggest happiness. Looking at Nagraj and many other poders like him who work day night in hard conditions and yet bring to you the bread with a wide smile as if their only mission is to feed people and make their life comfortable, I feel our planet is a much better place because of people like him. These are the real heroes of the society, often neglected but when you look deeper, you cannot ignore the value they add to our daily lives. We might not be able to do anything for them in return, but then may be just asking their name, greeting them with a smile and thanking them could make their day. So next time you meet the Nagraj in your lane, just remember this.