The pader or baker was an important person in the Goan village as well as in the author's life. He used to mix, mould and bake the loaves of bread in age-old, tested furnaces. He used to come twice a day, once in the morning to sell the bread and then while returning after emptying his basket.
Baker is important to the Goan people because they carry the age old tradition of the Portugese of baking bread. The bakers were known as paders and carried bread in the traditional baker’s bamboo from house to house. For the children, the baker was a friend and companion. The baker’s cakes are also important for village celebrations like Christmas. Marriage gifts were considered incomplete without the sweet bread. Bakers had become essential part of Goan life.