Eugene Correia wrote: As a columnist, Fred and those like him, can kickstart a debate on Goa's current status and how postcolonial Goa can march forward. An international conference is scheduled in December to take stock of the situation. All said and done, mere talking at academic conferences will not be enough. There are criticisms and bickerings by both political adversaries and advocacy-based groups over the government’s regional plan and other initiatives. Critics and political leaders, besides so-called "intellectuals", can put forward their alternate plans for Goa's development. Yes, there's no such thing as a "free meal" and neither there's such thing as a "walkover" in a democracy.
RESPONSE: Hopefully by December, Eugene will be fully recovered from whatever is currently plaguing him. We can then look forward to having first-hand coverage of the Conference planned in Goa, although Eugene's coverage of conferences/conventions he has not attended is just as detailed and entertaining. I hope Digamber Kamat's office is ready for the deluge of enquiries that will flood from the mighty pen of Eugene Correia and heaven help them all in Goa, if perchance they happen to make a grammatical error. Best, Selma