STAR LETTER
What is Peace and Justice?
Luis Fernandes, Aldona
Peace and Justice Sunday was solemnly celebrated in St Thomas Church at
Aldona. People from all around came with gusto to listen to the talk, which
was to be given by Fr Maverick Fernandes, to learn about their rights and
how to defend them. Unfortunately, the talk was delivered by Soter D'Souza
and it was on Panchayati Raj.
We were waiting for someone to speak on injustice and rampant corruption
that plague the society, and to know what can be done peacefully. But we
were given a cup of tea and, later, a book by Averthanus D'Souza was
launched at the hands of parish priest, which we were requested to buy for
Rs50. All we were told in the talk was to cultivate fields and grow
vegetables, following the age-old comunidade system.
I appreciate their philanthropy, but tell me if Fr Maverick, Mr Soter, our
parish priests or the other speakers would ever themselves work in the
fields? In the old days, food was grown only in our fields, and we were
obliged to earn a living by working in them. Now, people work in offices and
can buy their food.
During Portuguese, rule the 'mundkars' slogged and the 'bhatkars' filled
their tummy. Now all people are educated and the Portuguese have also left
Goa, so the 'bhatkars' feel deprived. They cannot bear to see others rising,
and think of all knavish tricks. The Church tells all goody-goody things to
the 'mundkars' while the subtle 'bhatkars' watch silently. Anyway, Goa is
already a failed state, thanks to all such crooks. What is peace and what is
justice? I leave it only in the hands of my loving God.
[Herald, 26/8/10]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Goa-launch of the well-received *Into The Diaspora
Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho on Aug 29, 2010 (Sunday) at 11
am at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Meet the author, buy a signed
copy (only Rs 295 in Goa till stock lasts).
http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
