Goa was earlier famous for many things. Among these was the unique Goan ‘pao’, for which all Goans were nicknamed ‘paowalla’—a name that has stuck on till today. Unfortunately, this is not the case today, as the business is no longer in the hands of the locals and has been hijacked by outsiders. As a result, not only the size but also the quality of the pao has undergone a drastic deterioration. A very sad situation indeed, because what was earlier available for Rs 2 is now sold for Rs 5, which is smaller in size and of poor quality.
Goan ‘poee’, for instance, was a speciality of Goa, which was enjoyed by visitors and tourists to the State in the same manner as ‘broon pao’ is enjoyed and is the speciality of Irani restaurants in Mumbai. It appears that nothing can be done now to revive the humble pao, as the present-day bakers have the monopoly and are calling the shots, while the government remains a silent spectator. A very sad situation indeed.
