NOSTALGIC NOTES 16 Karaikal

 

Karaikal Beach 

Karaikal

LOBSTER – I saw alive in Karaikal . A fisherman friend brought home one swimming in a bowl of water. Somehow I couldn’t get it on that day and after that I had never had a chance to buy a live lobster

Tsunami played havoc in Karaikal region. Our bank lent a helping hand to the Tsunami hit fishermen by way of loans with subsidy. In that process I had befriended many fishermen
Many of the fishermen in Karaikal are well off with a decent housing and one or more mechanized boats

I was able to purchase –for the proper price- fresh fish from them

Cuttlefish (Kanavaay Fish) is supposed to be the special delicacy of Karaikal. But I the very appearance of it I didn’t like and so never went for that

Another special variety of Fish is Kolaa Fish . It is available only in Nagapattinam, Karaikal region that too only in summer season. It is sold in evening. The price is somewhat cheap and it is available alive. So many specials but the taste was not as expected

 Kolaa Fish

 

Murthaba is a special variety of Parotta stuffed with egg and mutton – tastes good.

Nanagaththan, jalar, inchikoththu – these are the names of snacks typical of Delta Region

After completion of 3 years tenure in Cuddalore I was transferred to Karaikal. , a small town in Pondicherry UT. But is not very near to Pondicherry a s many people assume. The distance between Pondicherry and Karaikal is 200 km

Small town I said, yes a very convenient small town especially for senior citizens. Within a short distance one can see government milk booths , vegetable, mutton, fish stalls, small and big eateries , banks, ATMs mosques and what not

All big Jewelers and textile dealers in Chennai have opened their branches in Karaikal

Money circulation in Karaikal is supposed to as much of Mumbai. So naturally cost of living is somewhat on the higher side

Almost all commercial banks have their branches in Karaikal. 7 to 8 ATMs and bank branches we can see in one street

Karaikal is head quarters of Karaikal District. Facilities and conveniences available in Karaikal will make one envy of that place --

Good schools, central school Separate Government arts colleges for men and women, engineering college, medical college,100 bedded government hospital, railway station, railway reservation centre at heart of the town, seaport, airport, radio station , beautiful beach and so on

Yet Karaikal people compare it with Pondicherry and have a feeling of dissatisfaction.

A group is struggling for separate Karaikal State

Karaikal is full of Non Resident Indians. Normally NRIs will be working in KSA, UAE UK or USA. But here in Karaikal I saw many people working in not much heard countries like Seychelles , Lebanon and Netherland

For a new comer Karaikal has many surprises.

Let us see next week

Blog Address
sherfuddinp.blogspot.com

B/FB 16102018

Karaikal Beach Kolaa Fish