the goan I network
MARGAO
All Goa Bakers and Confectioners Association celebrated the International Bakers Day on Tuesday with the launching of bicycles which will help differentiate the traditional Goan bakers from those hailing from outside the State.
The bicycles were launched at the hands of Food and Drugs Administration Director Jyoti Sardesai and blessed by Fr Luciano Falcao at the Holy Spirit church grounds before the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration.
The bicycles are equipped with an identity plate mentioning the name of the baker, the place of the bakery and the number of bakers on bicycles employed by the proprietor.
The identity system, which has got the approval of the FDA, however, is not mandatory, but GOACAN convenor Roland Martins, who had suggested to the authorities to work out an identity mechanism for the bakers, said this is just the beginning, exuding confidence that many bakers will go in for the identity plate if they are to secure the confidence of the people.
“We had come out with the identity plate for the bicycles so that people can get to know the identity of the bakers doing the rounds in the villages. In the past, there were complaints that some miscreants were moving around the villages posing as bakers, but with the aim of taking photographs of houses and building. This identity plate system should hopefully restore the confidence of the people,” Roland said, adding that the people will be able to differentiate between the genuine and fake bakers.
FDA Director Jyoti Sardesai told The Goan that the identity plate has not been made mandatory yet, but hastened to add that the bakers will go in for the identity plates on the bicycles in their own interest.
President of The Goa Bakers & Confectioners Association Peter Fernandes said the identity plates will go a long way in helping the traditional bakers who are going through a difficult phase following unfair competition from outside bakers.
“With the identity plates on the cycles, people will be able to identify the bakers from whom they are procuring their bread. The traditional bakers are passing through a “save our soul” stage for want of any protection from the government,” he said.
The bakers and the families later participated in the Eucharistic celebration at the Holy Spirit Church, where Fr Luciano Falcao form Pilar Seminary, who is also the
son of an ex-baker, was the celebrant.
At the get together that followed in the Church hall, meritorious children of the bakers, who have excelled in various fields, were honoured on the occasion.
