Stories by Walter Menezes

  Cover image by  Raizel Dias  of Seraulim, Goa. She studies @ Fatima Convent, Margao. Even a few coconut trees properly planted can make way for  chodd malleanchi xeti podd’dot  (multi-storied farming). Pepper and pineapple, banana and nutmeg, even cinnamon and clove, are what  Nevil Alphonso  suggests as value-additions. These crops can support the farmer in the initial years even as he waits for the 8-year period to come to an end before the coconut tree can start bearing fruit. Nal’lachi Lagvodd  (Coconut Cultivation) Written & Published by Nevil Alphonso (2006) Pages: 88, Price: Rs 50/- Sun, sand and surf. And swaying palms. That’s the picture every tourist takes home with him, once his Goan holiday is over. The coconut tree (cocos nucifera) not only sways all along our coastline but is an essential part of every village and the toast of artists and writers alike.  Every part of  madd  is made use of, and the rendermam’ who...