This post is written with my tongue firmly implanted in my cheek. I have not been following this topic. It is the weekend, so I decided to check this drawn out thread. With all this "beating", I was intrigued. Those in North America may have watched the nationally acclaimed stand-up comedian Russel Peters. Originally from Calcutta, Russel grew up in Canada and now resides in Los Angeles. His famous shtick on the comedy circuit is how Indian parents beat their kids.
According to Russel, "Dad's famous phrase to young Russel was, 'Someone ... someone ... is going to get hurt today for not listening ... I am not saying who .... but I think you know him well'." According to Russel, sometimes Indian parents beat their kids for not good reason, "Just in case" (you will be bad). Please look-up Russel Peters web-log for some real laughs. Back to this thread, likely Fr. Ephraim was like that. His philosophy, like the Portuguese may be, beat first and ask questions latter. But Dominic even at this stage, likley blames Fr. Ephraim for the wrong reasons. Looking at Dominic's story (below), in a boarding school at 8:00 pm boys are supposed to be studying in study hall and not wasting time "chatting in the urinal" ... in Inglez or in amchi bhas. According the Russel Peters, boys like Dom should be punished.:=)) Reading Konkani novels in high school??? Looks like Dom had a bookie supplying him in the boarding school in Goa with all these novels ... ani thea bhair more. I hope Dom and other readers have their humor cap on. To Dom I would say, "Let Fr. Ephraim RIP." Regards, GL From another boarding school veteran. The best thing that could happen to me.:=)) ------------------ Domnic Fernandes Fr. Ephraim was the Boarding Headmaster of St. Anthony's High School in Monte de Guirim. He was the one who always strolled up and down the corridors of the school with a book in one hand and a cane in the other. I was caught speaking Konkani only once. At around 8:00 pm, we were chatting in Konkani at the urinals which were quite far away from main corridors. We never expected Fr. Ephraim to come to that spot but there he was like a devil standing before us; his spectacles shining with reflection of light bulb. He looked at us and said: 'Come on; come on; show me your hand'. He gave two canes to Michael Botelho but only one for me; maybe because I was caught for the first time. I am a great lover of Konkani. I was very sad when I was not allowed to speak or read Konkani novels in the school.
