by Niraj Prabhu
It’s summertime in Goa, and the delightful seasonal fruits are ripening by the day due to the motherly warmth of the nature. Despite the passing years—and now being close to the half-century mark, this remains my favourite season! How many people of my age can say the same, I wonder, as I find too many people getting addicted to Air-‘conditions’ of late and also turning their back on fruits due to unethical ways of ripening them for quick sale.
Anyways, coming back to the story of my three favourite fruits of the year; Cashews get the summer off to a blazing start, with their refreshing juice, ‘niro’, providing a soothing end to a typically long, tiring day. Love-apples are a joy to lay your hands on when the sun is at its scorching peak. And, Mangoes—undoubtedly nature’s finest offering—are simply irresistible. I find myself eagerly waiting to savour different varieties straight from the orchard, as I avoid market-bought ones for obvious reasons.
Goa has changed significantly since my childhood, and it’s not just the infrastructure or demographics. Many young Goans, children in particular, today seem less inclined to experience the simple pleasures of visiting their grandparents’ homes and indulging in the summer delights of backyard orchards—wherever they still exist.
Back in those days, there were no gadgets or wide-screen TVs. We had all the time in the world plus it was an integral part of the holiday season to visit relatives, stay over, and enjoy our times at these homes blessed with abundant gardens, open grounds where we played with their locality kids, and pursued a variety of fruit-bearing trees in the backyard.
Summers have undoubtedly become hotter, tree cover has reduced, and children’s connection with the outdoors has diminished. Yet, for those of us in middle age, the joy of seasonal fruits continues to blend beautifully with the sweet memories of a bygone Goa.
