English Class 10 - X CBSE Chapter 7 - Glimpses of India Part 1 - A Baker from Goa Overview

PART – I: A Baker from Goa

Introduction

A Baker from Goa‘ revolves around the relevance of a baker in the Goan culture which dates back to the time when Portuguese ruled over the city of Goa. The Portuguese may have left but the bread- makers continue to have an inevitable position. In this story, the author recalls his childhood days and their excitement on seeing the baker. They were enthusiastic to the point that they would run to him as soon as they woke up without even brushing their teeth.

Summary

The lesson begins with how narrator‘s elders often recall the time when Goa was under the rule of the Portuguese. They talk how the importance of bakers is still maintained in their villages even after the Portuguese have left. They are known as  Paders in Goa. The mixers, moulders and their time-tested furnaces continue to serve the people of Goa with their famous bread loaves. It is possible that the original ones may not exist, but their profession is being continued by their sons. The thud of their bamboo stick can still be heard in some parts of the village. The same jingling thud would wake the narrator and his friends during their childhood days that would go running to him without brushing or washing their mouth properly. It was the maid-servant of the house who collected the loaves while children sorted out the bread bangles for themselves. Bakery products have importance in the culture and traditions of Goa. Bol or sweet bread is a part of marriage gifts, cakes and Bolinhas or coconut cookies are eaten at every festival and the lady of the house prepares sandwiches at her daughter‘s engagement. Earlier bakers wore a unique frock of knee-length known as  Kabai but during the narrator‘s childhood days, they wore a shirt and trousers of length slightly shorter than the usual ones. They generally collected their bills at the end of every month. Bakery has continued to be a profitable profession, managing to keep their families joyous and prosperous.

Main Points of the Story

 The Portuguese in Goa were lovers of bread

 Those eaters of bread have now gone but its makers still exist.

 During the childhood days of the narrator, a baker used to be their friend, companion and guide.

 The baker came twice a day – once in the morning and again while returning home after finishing his sailing.

 The jingling thud of the baker‘s bamboo woke up the sleeping children.

 The loaves were delivered to the servants of the house.

 The children would peep into the baker‘s basket for the bread bangles.

 The children would eat bread with hot tea.

 The marriages were incomplete without the popular 'bol' bread.

 Bolinhas was a must during Christmas and all other festivals.

 The makers wore a particular knee length frock known as Kabai.

 Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers had a plump physique testifying to this.

 The bakers collected their bills at the end of the month.


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