Latest news with #Feni
TimesLIVE
03-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Parliamentary committee sends condolences after deadly 'pens down' party attack in East London
The parliamentary select committee on education, sciences and the creative industries said it was shocked to learn of the deaths that occurred in an attack at a 'pens-down' party in East London. In a statement on the parliamentary website the committee expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. 'Two people were reported dead and seven others were injured on the weekend after what seems to be a deliberate attack on party revellers in Nompumelelo township, just outside East London. A group of local young men, suspected to be a gang, gatecrashed a 'pens-down' party and started attacking those at the tavern,' committee said. Last weekend, MEC for economic development, environmental affairs and tourism Nonkqubela Pieters hosted a provincial underage drinking summit. The summit, was aimed at addressing one of the province's most urgent youth challenges. Delegates deliberated on prevention strategies, tightening enforcement and promoting safer youth-focused alternatives. The summit took place at Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London and brought together stakeholders from various sectors to find practical solutions to the growing problem of underage drinking. It coincided with the three-year anniversary of the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy in Scenery Park where 21 teenagers lost their lives in the overcrowded tavern under mysterious circumstances. The summit was also preceded by the 21km underage drinking awareness run which was hosted by the Liquor Board in Beacon Bay on June 29. 'Society must not tire in condemning the pens-down culture. This is so reminiscent of the recent Enyobeni incident which is subject of an inquiry that resulted in the deaths of 21 learners in the same vicinity. We condemn these actions, whether learners were involved or not. Law enforcement must leave no stone unturned in this,' the parliamentary committee's chairperson Makhi Feni said. Feni called for parental guidance and serious reflection on situations in which pupils have free access to alcohol. 'It is sad that fatal alcohol-related incidents that often involve learners are becoming a common but worrying occurrence in the country. Social gatherings where learners are allowed to use alcohol should be criminalised. The violence that characterises our society is condemned,.'he t said. Feni said the Eastern Cape department of education must assist and determine if any pupils had been affected by the incident and provide the necessary support.
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Select Committee on Education condemns infrastructure failures after Eastern Cape School tragedy, pledges accountability
Makhi Feni urges accountability in school infrastructure after a tragic minibus accident, vowing oversight and support for affected families while addressing national failures in safety and disaster preparedness. Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences, and Creative Industries, Makhi Feni, has addressed a range of urgent national issues affecting the basic education sector. Speaking at the Social Services Cluster Briefing on Monday, he highlighted challenges ranging from infrastructure damage caused by recent floods to the implementation of progressive education legislation, including the BELA Act and the Early Childhood Development Amendment Act. Feni expressed his deepest condolences following a tragic incident where 13 schoolchildren died after a minibus fell into a river while crossing a bridge in the Eastern Cape. He described it as a national tragedy that reflects broader infrastructure and safety failures. "We lost the future. As the committee, we are with the families. We are feeling what they are feeling," Feni said. He emphasised the committee's commitment to investigating the incident and supporting the affected families. He confirmed that oversight visits and a full disaster management report would be pursued to investigate possible negligence or poor workmanship in infrastructure projects. Feni stressed the importance of accountability in infrastructure spending, especially after floods have severely damaged school properties across the country. "We do not want to find ourselves rebuilding because someone ticked a box without providing quality." Moreover, Feni said the committee would work with the Auditor General to monitor the use of public funds and submit quarterly broadcast reports to ensure transparency.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Goan Feni gets GI Tag: What makes it a special beverage
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a certification that identifies a product as originating from a specific region, where its quality, reputation, or distinct characteristics are essentially linked to that location. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per the latest report, Goan Feni, popularly known as Ozzo Feni, has also received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Reportedly, it is produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village near Panaji. For the unversed, feni is a traditional Indian spirit native to Goa, and is made from the fermentation and double distillation of either cashew apples or coconut sap. It's a strong, clear liquor with a unique flavour. If food historians are to be believed, the Portuguese missionaries brought the cashew plant trees to Goa in the 1600s and introduced the cashew apple to the region. They also introduced the method of distillation, which was then passed on to the locals. The people who made feni were called bhatikars, who used earthen pots or bhatis under a fire. Today, copper pots under the coil method are used to make Feni. The juice is fermented naturally for 72 hours, and then distilled twice. The ABV (alcohol by volume) is between 40 to 43 per cent. What study says? As per a , cashew feni production is a relatively laborious and lengthy process that does not require specialized equipment. It is a four-step process consisting of the harvesting of cashew apples, juice extraction through stomping with feet, natural fermentation in earthen pots, and subsequent distillation and condensation in a clay still over a low wood fire. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The distilled Feni is then aged for a couple of months and bottled. This is not the only local produce that has received the GI tag in recent times. Even betel leaf, or paan patta, or Kumbakonam vetrilai, was recently granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India, recognizing its regional uniqueness and cultural significance. Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Goan feni is GI-tagged: A milestone for this homegrown spirit
Goa has achieved a milestone moment as Ozzo Feni, produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village near Panaji, has become the first-ever feni to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in India. This means that feni is now recognised for its unique preparation in a specific geographical location (Goa, in this case) and protects it from other imitations and increases its marketability factors both domestically and internationally. Feni is a traditional Indian spirit, well-known in Goa, made from the fermentation and double distillation of either cashew apples or coconut sap. It's a strong, clear liquor with a unique flavour profile and a history spanning centuries. Feni was introduced to India by the Portuguese missionaries in the 1600s when they came to trade. They brought with them cashew plant trees and also the method of distillation, which was then passed on to the locals. The people who made feni were called bhatikars, who used earthen pots or bhatis under a fire. Today, copper pots under the coil method are used to make Feni. The juice is fermented naturally for 72 hours, and then distilled twice. Receiving the GI tag means that feni is now recognised globally and placed at a status comparable to Scotch in Scotland or Champagne in France. The brand, which makes it strictly adheres to all the regulations of GI certification, sources the cashew apples from Goa, and all utensils used are stainless steel, copper or glass. The condensation of feni takes place in earthen mud clays called launi. Darjeeling tea was the first product in India to get a GI tag in 2004 and is known for its special aroma and light taste. Alphonso mangoes from Maharashtra, famous for their sweet and rich flavour, were awarded the GI tag in 2018. Bikaneri Bhujia, a crispy and spicy snack from Bikaner, Rajasthan, received its GI tag in 2008. Other GI-tagged foods include Kashmiri saffron, prized for its deep colour and strong aroma, which was granted the GI tag in 2020. Manipuri black rice, known for its rich nutrients and beautiful purple colour, earned its GI status in 2020.
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kannur set to launch its own cashew liquor, inspired by Goan Feni
KANNUR: Raise a toast, 'Kannur Feni' is officially on its way! Payyavoor Service Cooperative Bank has received the final green light to produce low-alcohol cashew liquor, and it's set to make its much-anticipated debut next cashew season. Inspired by the iconic Goan Feni, this homegrown version will be crafted from fresh cashew, distilled right here in Kannur. The idea first took shape in 2016 when the cooperative approached the state government with a bold proposal to turn the region's abundant cashew harvest into a signature spirit. After years of waiting, and an official nod from government in June 2022, the project was held up by regulations. Now, with the assembly subject committee's report approved and the finance department setting tax rates, the stage is finally set. 'Payyavoor and surrounding areas have abundant cashew cultivation. I've nurtured the idea of Kannur Feni since 1990, when I was president of Payyavoor panchayat. It has been a long journey to secure the assembly subject committee's approval. We've applied for the excise licence, and the excise commissioner has assured us it will be granted. We expect to begin production by December this year,' said T M Joshi, president of the bank. The cooperative has earmarked four acres of land in Kankirakolli for the distillery. 'Bringing together local farmers will help ensure quality. We estimate the production cost of one litre of Feni at around `200-250. With 100% excise tax, we expect to price it between `500-600,' Joshi said. However, there's some uncertainty regarding the name. 'We had hoped to call it 'Kannur Feni', but since there is a patent for 'Feni' in Goa, we're cautious about using the term. With excise approval in hand, we'll seek legal advice on this matter,' he said. The licence permits distillation strictly from cashew, with the season running from December to May.
