To Goanet - July 10, 2008: Writing from the Mandovi Express en route to Mumbai.
We are right now rolling over the Mandovi river into Divar. There's the church of Our Lady of Piedade in the distance, and oh, the finials of the Malar church just popped into view. And the lush green fields below- what a resplendent sight! Waiting for my train at the Karmali station, I got into a conversation with my porter, a Gaudo from Karmali. He said that a destruct job on the village of Karmali is in the works, courtesy Pandurang Madkaikar. He pointed to a lush field across the platform where, he said, a road is planned, and an adjoining orchard where Pandurang has ideas for a 5-star hotel. He disclosed that Pandurang is currently active trying to displace longtime Gaude gaonkars of Karmali from their homes to make space for his illegitimate schemes. As I have shown in photographs earlier, Pandurang has already deposited large concrete turds along the fields in Ella. So this threat is not to be taken lightly. But not to worry. The GBA has given a press conference, the blue-eyed dolly has spoken. That'll sort everything out. Warm regards, r ps: Sent a day later since my Tata-Indicomm connection ketp saying ta-ta every 15 seconds.
