Rasoi Ghar cooks up curiosity in port town

VASCO: One woman's 'rasoi ghar' isn'tnecessarily another's kitchen. This came prominently to light on Wednesday asHindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) launched two of its communitykitchens in Vasco. "My neighbours and I already have cylinders sincea decade now. I guess I will use this service only if I run out of gas,"shrugged Baby Mohammed Ali, 35, as she watched revenue minister Jose PhilipD'Souza boil water at the service's launch in New Vaddem's ward No.19.On the other hand 53- year-old Ballama Kakarlal wondered, "Whatif people cook beef? This will be a problem for us Hindus."Explaining the merits of the service, Vasanta Rao, senior regionalmanager, HPCL (Goa), said, "The concept is to cater to the economically backwardclasses with priority given to ST/SC/OBC. While the service is new to Goa, it issuccessful in other parts of the country where it is in service since 2004. Headded that a new connection would cost Rs 3,500-4,000, while a new cylindercosts Rs 375.Responding to the figures, 73-year-old JayshreeSadashiv Dhuri said, "Make the price of gas and petrol less. That will serve usbetter. Besides, we already have gas cylinders at home." Some women said theywould use the service during festivals or if they run out of gas at home.