THURSDAY, JULY 04, 2024
Joseph Fernandes
ALDONA: Sashikant Narayan Bandodkar, a resident of Carona, has turned a personal setback into an opportunity to revive and sustain a traditional craft. Once a truck driver with three trucks involved in mining in Amona, the halt in mining activities left him without a source of income. Faced with this challenge, Sashikant decided to return to a family tradition—fishing.
For the past 12 years, Sashikant has been weaving various types of fishing nets and selling them to local fishermen. This new direction is not entirely unfamiliar to him; he has been involved in fishing for over 25 years, learning the trade from his family during his childhood. “Fishing was our family’s only source of income,” he recalls.
With a deep understanding of the craft, Sashikant weaves nets such as Cobli, Cataleo, Paager, Zali, and Kawa at home using materials sourced from Betim. His nets, ready to use on the spot, have garnered heavy demand. Many customers also bring their nets to him for repairs. “People come to my place and buy them, and there is a good response for my fishing nets,” he notes.
To enhance his skills, Sashikant undertook training under the government scheme ‘PV Vishwakarma,’ provided by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in Old Goa. “I successfully completed the training and received a certificate,” he says proudly. The training introduced him to new techniques in net weaving, which he eagerly adopted. “I did not shy away from learning something new at this age; there were a lot of people like me who completed the course,” he adds.
Sashikant’s daily routine is dedicated to weaving and repairing nets. “In the morning, after breakfast, I sit with my work and aim to complete orders on time,” he explains. His work requires patience and concentration, as each knot in the net must be meticulously tied. “It may look simple, but it needs patience and the ability to do it correctly.”
In addition to net weaving, Sashikant also provides homemade medicines for kidney stones and piles (haemorrhoids). “These natural remedies are effective and it gives me great satisfaction to be able to bring relief to people in pain,” he adds. Despite the modern conveniences available, he continues to fish using his net, ‘Kataleo,’ catching enough fish to feed his family.
“However, I dedicate more time to weaving and repairing nets than fishing,” he says, adding that he completes three to four kawa or crab nets. He displays his fishing nets at the Carona junction, where they attract passersby and even local shop owners stock his nets for sale. He also crafts bamboo fishing sticks, which are in
high demand, especially among local youth and fishing enthusiasts.
Reflecting on the changes over the years, Sashikant acknowledges the shift from hand-woven cotton nets to more durable nylon nets. “Earlier, everyone was doing it by hand, which was time-consuming, but now everything is fast, and machine-made nets are good,” he says. However, he believes that the traditional methods, though slower, produced stronger nets.
Sashikant is passionate about preserving the traditional craft of net weaving and encourages others to learn and continue the tradition. “People who are interested in fishing should not forget this traditional business. Goans must save this tradition for future generations,” he urges. He hopes that the youth will recognise the value of this craft and not view it as a poor man’s job.
In his day-to-day life, Sashikant stays active and productive, ensuring he makes the most of every minute. “I am happy with what I am doing, and my family supports me wholeheartedly,” he says.
