I belong to the Goan diaspora with a Mumbai mind-set and upbringing. Though the British were around in Mumbai for over 150 years, I’d never heard anyone - young or old - start a conversation in Mumbai with “When the British were in India....” This sentence was an introduction for a History exam paper, but, that’s where it ended!
Yet, as I grew up in Mumbai, my Mom (a die-hard Goan in Maharashtra) would reminisce, “Portuguez tempar(during the Portuguese times), we used to get lovely scented powder. Your Pond’s talc is nothing!” As Mom sat at her Singer machine sewing a Christmas dress for me, she’d go nostalgic again, “Portuguez tempar, dress materials came from Macaw and was smooth as a feather and soft as a whisper.” Mom was always in colonial times though she lived in democratic Bombay. She reasoned, “What’s the use of a government of, for or by the people, if one is not satisfied with the material goods and social conditions?” She’d also drool over the wonderful chicolade or bolash of Portuguez tempar.
I was, at that time, intrigued about these ‘wonder’ rulers who would keep their subjects happy with ‘wonder’ sweetmeats. “What can be tastier than a Cadbury bar,” I’d think. It was the ultimate chocolate for me then. “What’s wrong with Bombay Dyeing or Gwalior materials?” I’d question. But Mom had worn better stuff and eaten more melting-in-the-mouth chicolade in the Portuguez tempar, I guess.
Later, destiny brought me to Goa via marriage. And my ma-in-law continued where Mom had left off. She’d say, “Portuguez tempar, there were no robberies or murders - everyone was honest and hard-working. We slept with our doors and windows open. Now, we fix grills everywhere and still the thieves murder you in your sleep.”
“Portuguez tempar, we had so much fish that we’d use the extra fish as manure in the paddy fields. Today the hotels and tourists grab the best seafood. Where are the lobsters gone? Gone forever, that’s what. My grandchildren, poor pets, haven’t eaten what I’ve eaten. There was so much turtle and wild boar meat. Joao, (pa-in-law) would often bring home a deer - and the whole village celebrated in excitement.
Today hunting is banned ‘cos the animals are getting extinct, they say. No one will admit that they cut down forests and destroy the animals too. God created forests and animals for man to utilise and not destroy and ban, I tell you!”
“Portuguez tempar, our children were innocent and dressed decently. Today, the TVs and movies have spoilt our tornates . Did anyone hear of abortions, rapes, AIDs and SARS in Portuguez tempar? Saiba! What’s the world coming to? Thank God my days are getting over. Who wants to live in this kind of world anyway,” she’d mumble along.
Pa-in-law often commented with delight, “Portuguez tempar, the whisky had great punch - just one peg would give you a good night’s sleep. Those were the days my friend...”

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