Ice Gola and Sherbet weather…

Summer and its soaring daytime temperatures have brought the Ice Gola and Sherbet man back into the business. Mid-morning onwards, I see him on the street corner. Ringing his bell. His pushcart of colorful bottles was parked beneath a shady tree. Offering cool respite to passersby perspiring in the sun. He is a familiar sight. A comforting memory of a carefree childhood spent in what are now the good old days.

The most remarkable feature of the Ice Gola and Sherbet man’s cart is still the vintage, hand-cranked ice crusher mounted on the center. He puts a block of ice under it, cranks the handle several times, and collects a fistful of crushed ice from below. This he molds into a tight ball with his palms that he then pierces with a stick and makes an Ice Gola. Or he puts the ice ball into a glass to make a Sherbet.

Picking up one of the gaudy-colored bottles that border the cart, he then sprinkles the Ice Gola or Sherbet with some fruity flavor. The bestsellers used to be Mango, Orange, and Raspberry, and a wicked concoction called Ganga Jamuna. Kala Khatta which appeared in the 1970s still looks to be a favorite. Both, the Gola and Sherbet used to cost a princely 10 paise when I grew up on them. I don’t know now.

There used to also be a Limbu Sherbet cooling in a stainless steel drum. It tasted tangier than the Limca, Sprite, 7-Up, and Citra of today. I shudder to think what went into the making of his fruity flavors. And where he got the water for his ice from. But despite the threat of childhood illnesses like chicken pox, measles, typhoid, and mumps, it was considered fainthearted not to spend pocket money on the Ice Gola and Sherbet man. Every kid did.

About Mark Manuel

The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.

With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.

Further

His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.

Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.

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