Latest news with #MariaGomes
The Print
a day ago
- General
- The Print
Maria Gomes feeds over 300 stray dogs. She challenges the popular image of a dog lover
In housing societies and neighbourhoods across urban India, feeding community dogs has been a battleground for years. Despite several rulings in favour of community feeders, residents damage food and water bowls, threaten feeders, and hit the dogs at sight. Anyone who chooses to challenge this behaviour is routinely told to take their compassion—and community dogs—inside their own houses, rather than shared spaces. Instead, she's here in Goa, where I'm trailing her to understand what drives someone to dedicate their entire existence to feeding animals that half the country wants eliminated. The answer, though, isn't as tidy and straightforward as what you'd expect from someone the law could soon consider a public nuisance. Last week, while India's top court was busy criminalising Delhi-NCR's community dogs, 55-year-old Maria Gomes was being a busybody on Panjim's streets. Like every evening, Gomes loaded 30 kilos of rice and chicken onto her bicycle, checked her stoves one last time, and set off on her evening round to feed over 300 street dogs she knows by name. If the order had come into force and were she in the capital, Gomes would have been held in contempt of court. The 2023 Animal Birth Control Rules attempt to tread the fine line between animal welfare and concern for people by designating feeding areas away from staircases and playgrounds, but the underlying tension never seems to disappear. According to the ABC rules, a dispute resolution mechanism must involve 'the chief veterinary officer, representatives of the police, the district Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, organisations conducting animal birth control, and the RWA.' That baby went out with the bathwater as soon as the Supreme Court's observations came in. Despite the almost instantaneous stay on the order, reports of its misuse have already begun to filter in from across India. In a country that constitutionally mandates kindness to animals, practising it is treated as a crime. Also read: Dogs were adored in medieval India. They saved cows from asuras, fought boars & tigers The origin story A pervasive notion about these debates is that these are middle-class and elite concerns, as if a love for street animals is the preserve of the affluent alone. That notion crumbles the moment you step into Maria Gomes' world. When I arrive in the evening at her two-room rented home in Miramar, she's already in motion. Gomes is diminutive and missing a few teeth, but doesn't miss a beat, shuttling between her kitchen and bedroom, dodging a menagerie of cats, chickens, and turkeys crawling around the yard. After all, she's been doing this for 12 years. The only modern conveniences I can find in Gomes' home are the spick and span deep freezers and fridges that line the walls of both rooms. Inside, the air is thick with the smell of turmeric, rice, and boiled chicken. Gomes cooks all day long for her furry friends, and undertakes two rounds: The first at 5 am, when she takes an autorickshaw around and makes 22 stops; the second at 5 pm, on her little bicycle. Thirty kilos of chicken and rice are apportioned into multiple packets. Some of the dogs, she told me, eat only chicken, some only rice, some can only eat liver and rice, while some are just plain choosy. She also packs a portion of nibbles that she can throw the way of dogs that follow along. In a different life, Gomes' skills could have easily helped run a military kitchen or a restaurant. Instead, here she is, orchestrating a daily operation reliant completely on donations from well-wishers. Gomes learnt the unspoken rules of coexistence on the streets. She was born an orphan, and from the age of six, she worked as a domestic worker. In her twenties, Gomes went on to work in a food factory for 17 years, followed by six years in a shop and later at a shelter. By 2011, however, despite having worked her entire life, Gomes found herself sleeping on Panjim's streets. It was during those three years of homelessness that her relationship with the city's dogs began. The strays would bark at her in the darkness, so she started feeding them biscuits so they wouldn't attack her. After multiple Covid-19 lockdowns, when employment became increasingly elusive, Gomes decided to take the leap and dedicate her life entirely to feeding community animals. 'I have been bitten by dogs four times,' she told me. 'That doesn't mean I hate them. They are also part of this planet. You cannot get rid of them. It is their land also.' This origin story cuts through every comfortable opinion about animal welfare. Gomes wasn't—and isn't—extending compassion from a position of middle-class stability. Instead, it emerges from the intimate knowledge of what it means to exist at society's margins, to understand abandonment not as a concept but as lived experience. Gomes loads her bike, and sets off, bidding goodbye to a couple of dogs that hang around her street. She whizzes past cars and bikes at a steady clip, expertly negotiating the potholes, while throwing pieces of chicken at the dogs that fall between her stops. Wherever Gomes goes, the dogs seem to find her, emerging from doorways and alleys. Her first stop is at a schoolyard, where the watchman sweeps up a portion of the ground, clearing space for her to feed the dogs. The second is in a clearing by the side of Panjim's main road, away from pedestrian and motor traffic. That doesn't stop the passing walkers from staring and shooing at her. This is what people miss about the complexity of Gomes' operation. What appears to casual observers as indiscriminate feeding is actually a respectful, careful system. Gomes has built an individual relationship with each dog: They all have names, preferences, and stories. At each feeding spot, Gomes ensures the food is distributed properly, so territorial disputes don't erupt. Also read: Gurugram dog attack is pet owners' fault. It's cruel to keep Siberian husky in this heat Disputes in action The largest troupe of dogs comes bounding to meet Gomes outside Kala Academy. I ask her about her feelings about the Supreme Court order, and she almost erupts. 'This is very wrong. If people complain, they [the authorities] should focus on understanding why and how something adverse happened,' she said. 'You can't make a decision based on complaints from one person.' Gomes insisted that dogs are aggressive because they have been mistreated by people, who throw hot water and stones at them and beat them with sticks. As the dogs milled about her, Gomes continued: 'At the bus stand, people pee everywhere, even when there are toilets. They spit and throw garbage anywhere. Why doesn't the government do anything about that? Because they don't have the guts to discipline people. If they pull up people, they will ignore them in the next election. We have to teach the citizens of this country how to behave with dogs, especially children who often play the fool, and their parents don't even object.' Gomes is certain that the fight against the order will continue, via people like her. 'If even one person does the right thing, that's enough. If you know your rights, you should continue doing what is correct,' she told me. Five minutes later, Gomes' rights are put to the test. At Campal Gardens, her pack includes Babu, a dog blind from birth. As Gomes tries to secure an area for Babu to eat peacefully, without being harassed by other dogs, a watchman comes screaming at her, telling her she is not allowed to feed dogs in a public park. There's only one family present with two small children in tow, and they all feel emboldened to object to her. As the parents focus on joining forces with the watchman, the child balls his hands into little fists and attempts to charge at Babu. The watchman's aggression shifts the moment he notices my camera, and that awareness immediately tempers his righteousness. He pivots, claiming this is actually a forest department park. When Gomes claps back that 'the forest is for the dogs too,' he tries a different strategy. Why won't she feed dogs deeper inside the park? When Gomes finally heads further inside, he leans toward me to whisper conspiratorially, 'She's not a good person.' And also, 'Please don't include my video.' Outside the park, another group of men approach, ready with their own objections. But Gomes has learnt how to project an authority that has nothing to do with her social location. Whatever she said to them in Konkani, they backed down without engaging further. Maybe that's the most powerful response to hostility: To simply refuse to accept its premise. Maria Gomes' defiance stems from the understanding that some battles are won through sheer doggedness. The legal and social challenges to the SC order will continue… but Maria Gomes will cycle on. Karanjeet Kaur is a journalist, and a partner at TWO Design. She tweets @Kaju_Katri. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Eater
09-06-2025
- Business
- Eater
12 Best Spots for Lunch in Greenville, South Carolina
View as Map One of the cheeriest towns in the Carolinas is a great place for lunch; Main Street alone boasts dozens of sidewalk cafes. Downtown Greenville is chock-full of businesses, offices, condos, and apartments, creating a vibrant midday scene, and many patios are dog-friendly. For especially easy parking, the historic neighborhoods flanking the central business district offer options worth seeking out, from fried chicken to gyro, cheesesteaks to soup, salads to tacos. Read More Just behind Stone Avenue is a convenience store that the North Main neighborhood fervently supports. The Drop-In Store offers one of everything, but during the week at lunchtime, chef Maria Gomes prepares Goan dishes, including curry and feijoada, as well as burgers, butter chicken wraps, and chicken chili enchiladas. There are two types of tacos too, including a shrimp variety made with South Carolina shrimp. Half the neighborhood will be there, and that's half the fun. There are at least seven tables if you want to bring a laptop and work too. Harry's Hoagies draws a lunch crowd to the Historic Overbrook neighborhood. Built on seeded hoagie rolls from Liscio's Bakery in New Jersey, a menu of inventive sandwiches has captured Greenville's fancy,, such as the MAP, featuring fried mozzarella, arugula salad, marinated cantaloupe, and prosciutto. The husband-and-wife team of Michelle Pavlakos and Andrew Fallis pulled over their cheesesteak concept, Mike's, from the outdoor food hall Gather, making a stop at Harry's extra warm and inviting. Notably, Scout's Doughnuts resides in the same strip center. The marquee location of Willy Taco in Midtown has its own stop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail extension. Restaurant designer Sandra Cannon reimagined the 1930s Feed and Seed store into a 200-person restaurant, and it offers comfortable seating for groups inside, as well as outdoors on covered porches and decks. The blackened salmon taco is notable, and the Mexican smash burger offers a double patty loaded with gooey toppings. A fried avocado taco is a fun order for vegetarians. Hand-blended patties of certified choice chuck and smoked pork belly make a burger at Windy City feel special, and the freshly baked brioche buns are appropriately pillowy. The kitchen generously tops the fries with garlic and Parmesan. Though the space is tight — there might be three tables inside and two more on the sidewalk — the friendly, efficient service keeps locals coming back. The restaurant is tucked just behind Main Street on Coffee Street. A steamed bagel sandwich from the original Sully's on Main Street is a Greenville institution, and every oozy combination is available from open until close (notably 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). The Nacho Maximus, with its half bag of Doritos shoved inside, makes a great lunch. It's a smart call to keep the sandwich bagel wrapped because it will drip down your arm. Sully's is an easy spot for kids, with offerings like a simple turkey bagel, PB&J, and a pizza variety. The Jones Oyster Co. does not take reservations, and its small, but well-designed dining room has quickly become a top spot for lunch. Chowder and chargrilled oysters stand out on the menu, and fresh oysters are exceptionally clean and cut nicely off the shell. A smoked fish dip app is delicious, and the wine-by-the-glass list is interesting, especially for white wine. In a fun nod, chef Brant Teske puts Hellmann's mayo on the lobster roll but Duke's mayo on his po-boy. The hush puppies feel more akin to fried corn fritters. Sign up for our newsletter. Global ingredients are the push at Latin fusion cafe Asada. Features at the counter service restaurant include choclo tacos, burger arepas, okonomiyaki, and lomo saltado poutine, but lots of regulars show up for carne asada tacos with perfectly seasoned pico de gallo. Owner Gina Petti grew up on the West Coast to Italian and Japanese parents. Her upbringing is reflected in the beverage menu, which features sangria, hibiscus tea, local beer, wine, and sake. Bright paintings in the dining room are by Petti's husband, Roberto Cortez, who was a gifted artist. Ali Saifi opened Pomegranate on Main to share what he calls the spirit of Iranian hospitality with Greenville, his adopted hometown. The bistro on South Main Street, with its lovely, tiled courtyard, offers open-flame kabobs, wraps on freshly baked flatbread, and dips like the smoky mirza ghasemi, featuring roasted eggplant, tomato, and garlic. In the winter, fresenjan, a pomegranate and walnut stew, satisfies, and entree salads feel complete with diced vegetables, lentils, raisins, chopped mint, and a cumin lime dressing. Though open for breakfast, it's lunch Monday through Friday that folks line up for at OJ's Diner. Olin Johnson set out to reinvent Southern soul food with whole foods. Daily specials tend to sell out, especially the fried chicken and sauced ribs on Fridays. Table service is warm and efficient; it's possible to drown in the amount of tea served. Cobbler is made in-house and changes seasonally. Stewed greens and fried okra are notable side dishes. A slice of life gathers in the dining room over biscuits and cornbread. It's funny to call Jasmine Kitchen a social enterprise cafe because it's so darn cheery, replete with a floral mural by notable Greenville artist Jean Wilson Freeman, but its mission is clear: to raise money and train area women who have survived abuse, human trafficking, and addiction creating a path to sustained employment. Open Monday through Friday for lunch, the counter-service restaurant produces excellent soups, sandwiches, and salads along with old-school pound cake that's worth ordering. The 105-year-old converted yellow cottage also has a lot for off-street parking. Opened in 1988 by Zuhair, Ziad, and Nazih Namouz, Pita House is a Greenville staple and conveniently located across from Greenville Tech and next to the coffee-to-beer spot Grateful Brew. Famously cash only, the restaurant/grocery store is now run by the next generation of Namouzs, Wael and Hani. Known for house-made pita and a case full of Middle Eastern desserts, lunch here is a real treat with a line that moves along quickly. Falafel and gyro plates are best sellers, but consider the Jerusalem salad with the addition of sliced feta. For fans of In-N-Out, Hip Burger offers a similar style of burgers and fries, but local to the Greenville area. The restaurant started as a food truck and quickly gained a cult following. It opened a brick-and-mortar store in Mauldin (between Greenville and Simpsonville) and then a second shop in Anderson. The Hip Sauce alone is worth the drive to either location, and the chicken nuggets might be as craveable as the burgers. The food truck is available for catered parties and also appears at local events. © 2025 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Link copied to the clipboard. Just behind Stone Avenue is a convenience store that the North Main neighborhood fervently supports. The Drop-In Store offers one of everything, but during the week at lunchtime, chef Maria Gomes prepares Goan dishes, including curry and feijoada, as well as burgers, butter chicken wraps, and chicken chili enchiladas. There are two types of tacos too, including a shrimp variety made with South Carolina shrimp. Half the neighborhood will be there, and that's half the fun. There are at least seven tables if you want to bring a laptop and work too. Harry's Hoagies draws a lunch crowd to the Historic Overbrook neighborhood. Built on seeded hoagie rolls from Liscio's Bakery in New Jersey, a menu of inventive sandwiches has captured Greenville's fancy,, such as the MAP, featuring fried mozzarella, arugula salad, marinated cantaloupe, and prosciutto. The husband-and-wife team of Michelle Pavlakos and Andrew Fallis pulled over their cheesesteak concept, Mike's, from the outdoor food hall Gather, making a stop at Harry's extra warm and inviting. Notably, Scout's Doughnuts resides in the same strip center. The marquee location of Willy Taco in Midtown has its own stop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail extension. Restaurant designer Sandra Cannon reimagined the 1930s Feed and Seed store into a 200-person restaurant, and it offers comfortable seating for groups inside, as well as outdoors on covered porches and decks. The blackened salmon taco is notable, and the Mexican smash burger offers a double patty loaded with gooey toppings. A fried avocado taco is a fun order for vegetarians. Hand-blended patties of certified choice chuck and smoked pork belly make a burger at Windy City feel special, and the freshly baked brioche buns are appropriately pillowy. The kitchen generously tops the fries with garlic and Parmesan. Though the space is tight — there might be three tables inside and two more on the sidewalk — the friendly, efficient service keeps locals coming back. The restaurant is tucked just behind Main Street on Coffee Street. Open in Google Maps Foursquare A steamed bagel sandwich from the original Sully's on Main Street is a Greenville institution, and every oozy combination is available from open until close (notably 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). The Nacho Maximus, with its half bag of Doritos shoved inside, makes a great lunch. It's a smart call to keep the sandwich bagel wrapped because it will drip down your arm. Sully's is an easy spot for kids, with offerings like a simple turkey bagel, PB&J, and a pizza variety. Open in Google Maps Foursquare The Jones Oyster Co. does not take reservations, and its small, but well-designed dining room has quickly become a top spot for lunch. Chowder and chargrilled oysters stand out on the menu, and fresh oysters are exceptionally clean and cut nicely off the shell. A smoked fish dip app is delicious, and the wine-by-the-glass list is interesting, especially for white wine. In a fun nod, chef Brant Teske puts Hellmann's mayo on the lobster roll but Duke's mayo on his po-boy. The hush puppies feel more akin to fried corn fritters. Global ingredients are the push at Latin fusion cafe Asada. Features at the counter service restaurant include choclo tacos, burger arepas, okonomiyaki, and lomo saltado poutine, but lots of regulars show up for carne asada tacos with perfectly seasoned pico de gallo. Owner Gina Petti grew up on the West Coast to Italian and Japanese parents. Her upbringing is reflected in the beverage menu, which features sangria, hibiscus tea, local beer, wine, and sake. Bright paintings in the dining room are by Petti's husband, Roberto Cortez, who was a gifted artist. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Ali Saifi opened Pomegranate on Main to share what he calls the spirit of Iranian hospitality with Greenville, his adopted hometown. The bistro on South Main Street, with its lovely, tiled courtyard, offers open-flame kabobs, wraps on freshly baked flatbread, and dips like the smoky mirza ghasemi, featuring roasted eggplant, tomato, and garlic. In the winter, fresenjan, a pomegranate and walnut stew, satisfies, and entree salads feel complete with diced vegetables, lentils, raisins, chopped mint, and a cumin lime dressing. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Though open for breakfast, it's lunch Monday through Friday that folks line up for at OJ's Diner. Olin Johnson set out to reinvent Southern soul food with whole foods. Daily specials tend to sell out, especially the fried chicken and sauced ribs on Fridays. Table service is warm and efficient; it's possible to drown in the amount of tea served. Cobbler is made in-house and changes seasonally. Stewed greens and fried okra are notable side dishes. A slice of life gathers in the dining room over biscuits and cornbread. Open in Google Maps Foursquare It's funny to call Jasmine Kitchen a social enterprise cafe because it's so darn cheery, replete with a floral mural by notable Greenville artist Jean Wilson Freeman, but its mission is clear: to raise money and train area women who have survived abuse, human trafficking, and addiction creating a path to sustained employment. Open Monday through Friday for lunch, the counter-service restaurant produces excellent soups, sandwiches, and salads along with old-school pound cake that's worth ordering. The 105-year-old converted yellow cottage also has a lot for off-street parking. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Opened in 1988 by Zuhair, Ziad, and Nazih Namouz, Pita House is a Greenville staple and conveniently located across from Greenville Tech and next to the coffee-to-beer spot Grateful Brew. Famously cash only, the restaurant/grocery store is now run by the next generation of Namouzs, Wael and Hani. Known for house-made pita and a case full of Middle Eastern desserts, lunch here is a real treat with a line that moves along quickly. Falafel and gyro plates are best sellers, but consider the Jerusalem salad with the addition of sliced feta. Open in Google Maps Foursquare For fans of In-N-Out, Hip Burger offers a similar style of burgers and fries, but local to the Greenville area. The restaurant started as a food truck and quickly gained a cult following. It opened a brick-and-mortar store in Mauldin (between Greenville and Simpsonville) and then a second shop in Anderson. The Hip Sauce alone is worth the drive to either location, and the chicken nuggets might be as craveable as the burgers. The food truck is available for catered parties and also appears at local events. Open in Google Maps Foursquare
The Province
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Wine Guy: Stop and smell the flowers — and these bright, seasonal whites
Whether fresh seafood is on the menu, or you just want to sip a glass on the newly cleaned patio, try one of these bright white wines Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. It's the right time of year to stop to smell the flowers, a springtime ritual that always seems to pair best with equally expressive, aromatic white wines. Whether fresh seafood is on the menu, or you just want to sip a glass on the newly-cleaned patio, bright whites are the seasonal call. It's always fun to come across interesting, different wine grapes — especially when they combine to create a fun, aromatic white. Portugal is a great wine country to explore for lesser-known cultivars and, in the case of pula cerca, which comes from the Lisboa region of Portugal, the grapes featured are arinto and fernão pires. Both Indigenous to Portugal, Arinto is known for having higher acidity, while fernão pires (a.k.a. Maria Gomes) tends to bring floral intensity. Both qualities show in this wallet-friendly white, which is full of citrus and floral aromas in a fresh, simple style great for backyard gatherings. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Bottom line: B-. Pair with fried chicken or steamed clams. Louis Bernard 2023 Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France ($15.99 on sale until May 31, #589432) Speaking of fun and more unique grapes, southern France also offers up plenty. While most associate the Côtes du Rhône with bold red wines, Louis Bernard's perennial solid value blanc offers up a different perspective, thanks to a blend of white grenache, bourboulenc, clairette and roussanne. Pouring a bright, clear, light golden in the glass, aromas of orchard fruit and flowers abound. A nice texture marks the entry before acidity shows, leading into a fresh, citrusy finish. Like all three white wines featured this week, this bottle makes for easy enjoyment: Ready to pair with grilled pork tenderloin or even a meal-sized salad. Bottom line: B+. Also great sipped solo. Wild Goose Vineyards 2022 Stoney Slope Riesling, British Columbia ($27.99, #434316) This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Admittedly, this has been a longtime personal favourite B.C. Riesling. Whether enjoyed in situ on the slopes of Skaha Bluffs in the Okanagan Valley, or served in the comforts of home, this engaging Riesling never disappoints thanks to it outsized citrus, apple, mineral and flinty aromatics. There's great texture and intensity overall, working alongside a nice blend of fruity and savoury, and leading to a balanced, fresh, tangy finish. It's simply a fun wine to enjoy, one that makes a great food pairing partner; think everything from poached halibut or crab to mellow-spiced curries. Bottom line: A. Classic Okanagan Riesling. The Swirl: Bacchanalia Food & Wine Event Get ready to go all out when attending the upcoming Bacchanalia Food & Wine Event. The event takes place Saturday, May 31, from 7-10 p.m. at Penticton Lakeside Resort (21 Lakeshore Dr. West, Penticton) and features wines from more than 30 wineries, served alongside indulgent culinary delights!\. Tickets are $110 (plus GST) and cocktail attire is recommended. For complete details and to reserve a space, head to . Read More
