Mario’s World

Like Scotch whisky from Scotland, champagne from France and Tequila from Mexico, Feni will soon become India’s own drink from Goa. If
everything goes well, it will not be long before Feni is assigned a Geographical Indication (GI) Certificate. The implication of a GIC for Feni is simple: Only Goa can make Feni.

The GI authority in India has already published notice in this regard in its gazette, inviting comments from the public. The application for the GI certification was filed by the Government of Goa’s department of science & technology in association with Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association(GCFDBA).

Goa department of science & technology director Michael D’souza told ET: “The certification process is almost complete and we are expecting this to happen very soon.” GI is a stamp of authenticity on the unique properties a region could offer to a product. The uniqueness of the weather, water, air that could not be replicated in any other parts of the world is authenticated by a GI certificate.

However, the ongoing process for GI certification is only for Feni made out of cashew fruits. Goa offers two varieties of Feni — coconut Feni and cashew Feni.

Cashew Feni is distilled out of cashew apple juice whereas coconut Feni is made from coconut toddy. Historians aver that Feni making is known to Goa for about 500 years. Since this is a cottage industry providing employment to thousands of people, the Goa government is keen to ensure that Feni belongs to Goa officially.

I’m back in Dubai for a few days. This time I came in on Emirates and got to check out the all new Terminal 3. Its super! Love the wide spaces, indoor palm trees, reflective ceilings and not as much walking to do as the old one.

I have no idea what these lights represent, but they look real cool. Those huge lifts are great too. Its like boarding a subway train.

Got a peek at the huge Emirates double decker aircraft, the A380. I was expecting it to be pretty big, but it didn’t seem so from where I was sitting in a 777. Its quite a sight to see people cross the two bridges from the aircraft though.

This is one funny guy!!!

More and more people seem to like this raw non-glossy paint job. I like it too. Looks great in black or charcoal. A real attention grabber. Caught this one near my office.

Yes, all those cars are illegally parked there! Took this pic near Mariott Courtyard / Arraya. A Caprice and an Aveo. The Aveo looks like a shrunk version of the Caprice. Come to think of it most of the Chevrolet cars have the same rear design. Is it their secret design formula?

This is old news, about 1 month old. But I’m a huge MJ fan so I had to post this.

Seventy-three Michael Jackson Thriller fans today broke the Guinness World Record for the most people doing the Thriller dance at the same at Madame Tussauds New York in Times Square. The previous Guinness World Record was sixty-two people.

Fans from near and far – including one participant from Columbus, Ohio – dressed as zombies and as the King of Pop himself to be a part of this history-making moment with Madame Tussauds wax figure of Michael Jackson at the center of the action. While Michael Jackson was not able to attend the event, he was thrilled with its success. I always thought Halloween and ‘Thriller’ fit each other like a glove,” said Jackson.

Prior to the record-breaking dance, participants took lessons on how to do the Thriller dance from Crunch fitness instructors, received zombie mini-makeovers and had the opportunity to take a photo with Madame Tussauds Michael Jackson wax figure.

This email came by as a forward…

“Yesterday i went shopping in fahaheel with my wife. Unimaginable things happened there in fahaheel parking. So i thought i can share this to every expatriates in kuwait to alert while going out. Actually we were in our car in centrepoint parking (behind centrepoint – near mosque) where we park normally. I was just looking out for a parking slot to park my car. Two teenagers (about 12-14yrs) just opened the door(other side where my wife was sitting) and talking something in arabic. As we don’t know the language, i just told them to close the door.One guy closed the front door while the other opened the rear door & peeped in. When i was about to open my door to get them out, that guy took my wife’s handbag & ran away. This happened in the main place where almost all expatriates parking their vehicles. there’s traffic on the other side & also some people around. I just followed them until ajial complex but in vain. One of the harris who’s staying nearby the paid parking area told this is not the first time & happens often nowadays. This is the fourth consecutive incident known to him in the past 10 days. So we need to take care while driving or in the parking or even while walking on the streets especially for the local teenager’s. Thank god civil id/passport were not there in that bag but with mobile & some cash.

Lessons learned/recommendations:

1. Always keep ur car centre locked until u come to a complete stop/park.
2. Take extreme care when u hold any bag’s loosen ‘coz possibility of snatching the things while walking.
3. Better not to keep any official documents like civil id’s or any other valuables in the handbag.
4. Try to go as a group of minimum 4.

Any other recommendations are invited.”

Real bored …and that’s pretty rare for me! Somehow this clip cheered me up.

The National Assembly building in Kuwait is getting a new extension. Looks nice!

Found this cartoon on the net and just had to post it!