We have read and heard from our grandparents that in the early 19th century, there were roots, oils, spirits distilled from fruits & toddy or wild plants that cured the sick as medicine and they added "Raan Bhaji" diet as a must in their meals. Even today, our tribals follow 'Raan Bhaji' diet as part of healthy eating and provide a source of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E and C. We hardly see tribals in the doctor's clinic as 'Raan Bhaji' gives them potassium which helps them to maintain healthy blood pressure, dietary fiber, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Another important factor is, they use homemade light masala and the 'Raan Bhaji' is cooked over firewood, which gives a different taste altogether. The tribals have their own cuisine like 'kacchi harbaryachi bhaji', 'turiche sole', 'kairi', 'padacha amba', 'peru', 'kakdi', 'kothimbir', 'aluche paan', etc., that produce mouth watering dishes and pickles. Therefore please keep yourself free on Saturday, September 2, go to KTC, Canacona and enjoy "Raan Bhaji" festival.
