Re: [Goanet] Into the Diaspora Wilderness. . . .

2010-08-30 Thread Mervyn Lobo


DAN DRISCOLL wrote:
> One tiny quibble. Outside of the book-launch venue there was a caterer
> table with coffee and sandwichs. Being a bit peckish, after the long drive,
> I tried to engage the young custodian, to find out if I might partake. He
> seemed totally unable to relate to my query in English, and when my Konkani
> friends intervened he seemed not to comprehend Konkani either. All we could
> get out of him was a shake of the head.
---



Dan,
My first guess was that maybe my old friend Cecil Pinto was masquerading as a 
custodian in order to take total control of the refreshment table. Then 
JoeUKGoa 

sent us the pictorial clue. 


Here is why the custodian could not relate to your question in English or 
Konkani. The guy has on display, "MUSH RUM SAND WITCH." 


After a few of those, I too would be shaking my head at anyone wanting 
to get their hands on the same...

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk28/4937709884/

Mervyn666Lobo


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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/


Re: [Goanet] Into the Diaspora Wilderness. . . .

2010-08-30 Thread Pandu Lampiao
The Rajindra Bhavan has a morgue feel to it and the new Goa Medical
College Hospital comes close (when you get in there, one feels like
getting into another dimension, post haste)! These new buildings are
horrible. The old Goa Med  was lovely, inspite of the over crowding,
it was airy, well-lit and it was easy to smuggle feni to the patients
to ease their suffering! These old buildings should be the standard
one would think!

To the critics who will ask, whats wrong with Rajendra Bhavan, well
everything. To compare, visit the Murmagao Municipal building. Its
lovely, even the old colonial yellow paint. Aside from all the greasy
folks one bumps into the building, it is a testament to the
architectural heritage.

And I have said this beforewhat is with the namingRajendra
Bhavane? Some dead prime minister has his name stuck on the
Goa Medical college, others to football stadiums?  Goa had a rich
football history, singing and dancing (and drinking) comes natural to
us like our brown skin! We have our own heros. But give it another 2-3
years if the tourism business manages to live, "old Goan' likely will
struggle to breath, so it does not matter.

Ah, you were looking to relive yourself eh? All the endless cups of
chaai etc? You have not acquired the paan habit ya? You are in Goa
sa.there are lots of quiet dark corners. How about the field
across the Rajendra Bhavan. This is Goa...they ain't got any civic
sense, sorry to say!


AN DRISCOLL  wrote:
> Point well taken abt design; the Mario Mirando wall is nice, and Nataraj I
> find okay. Wondering about the washroom facilities, for that big hall. Did
> not see them. Wall paint peeling and plaster cracking already. The place had
> a terribly 'empty' feel to it. Hopefully things will pick up when the
> Theatros begin to kick in. We parked out on the road; some cars inside, but
> would have to look around for the big parking lot, and a sign pointing to
> it!
>
> On 8/30/10, Pandu Lampiao  wrote:
>>
>> Dan,
>> I thought you would notice the gaudy design of the Ravindra Bhavan;
>> with a rich architectural history as ours, its rather numbing to see
>> sooo many new ugly buildings all around! Take a look at
>> some old architecture- its peaceful, unpretentious and
>> calming...minimalist, and it reflected on our national (Goan)
>> character. The 'new' architecture is ratherare the grease-balls
>> called architects sans aesthetics? Guess it says a lot about where we
>> are and where we are headed!!!
>>
>> As for not getting a response in Concani nor English is nothing
>> surprising. Myself will have to soon learn to communicate in Kannad,
>> no choice there!
>>
>> Now some nut-case on the GoaNet will write asking me what my
>> contribution to architecture is!!!
>>
>> n Driscoll  wrote:
>> > Drove down from Panjim, to the New 'Ravindra Bhavan' for this
>> book-launch. It looks as if it will be an extremely interesting read, and
>> the talk by former MLA Rahulrau (sp?) Gracious was super good. The point he
>> makes about 'Colonial history' seems to me very valid; The Region's unique
>> character, and current ability to play a lead role in the 'global theatre',
>> is consequence of the colonial past. The Colonists were here, and now they
>> are gone---both realities should be celebrated.
>> >
>> > One tiny quibble. Outside of the book-launch venue there was a caterer
>> table with coffee and sandwichs. Being a bit peckish, after the long drive,
>> I tried to engage the young custodian, to find out if I might partake. He
>> seemed totally unable to relate to my query in English, and when my Konkani
>> friends intervened he seemed not to comprehend Konkani either. All we could
>> get out of him was a shake of the head. Caterer doing business with Ravindra
>> Bhavan, or functions held therein, might be well advised to take note of
>> that.
>> > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>> >
>> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>>
>> 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/
>>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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/


Re: [Goanet] Into the Diaspora Wilderness. . . .

2010-08-30 Thread DAN DRISCOLL
Point well taken abt design; the Mario Mirando wall is nice, and Nataraj I
find okay. Wondering about the washroom facilities, for that big hall. Did
not see them. Wall paint peeling and plaster cracking already. The place had
a terribly 'empty' feel to it. Hopefully things will pick up when the
Theatros begin to kick in. We parked out on the road; some cars inside, but
would have to look around for the big parking lot, and a sign pointing to
it!

On 8/30/10, Pandu Lampiao  wrote:
>
> Dan,
> I thought you would notice the gaudy design of the Ravindra Bhavan;
> with a rich architectural history as ours, its rather numbing to see
> sooo many new ugly buildings all around! Take a look at
> some old architecture- its peaceful, unpretentious and
> calming...minimalist, and it reflected on our national (Goan)
> character. The 'new' architecture is ratherare the grease-balls
> called architects sans aesthetics? Guess it says a lot about where we
> are and where we are headed!!!
>
> As for not getting a response in Concani nor English is nothing
> surprising. Myself will have to soon learn to communicate in Kannad,
> no choice there!
>
> Now some nut-case on the GoaNet will write asking me what my
> contribution to architecture is!!!
>
> n Driscoll  wrote:
> > Drove down from Panjim, to the New 'Ravindra Bhavan' for this
> book-launch. It looks as if it will be an extremely interesting read, and
> the talk by former MLA Rahulrau (sp?) Gracious was super good. The point he
> makes about 'Colonial history' seems to me very valid; The Region's unique
> character, and current ability to play a lead role in the 'global theatre',
> is consequence of the colonial past. The Colonists were here, and now they
> are gone---both realities should be celebrated.
> >
> > One tiny quibble. Outside of the book-launch venue there was a caterer
> table with coffee and sandwichs. Being a bit peckish, after the long drive,
> I tried to engage the young custodian, to find out if I might partake. He
> seemed totally unable to relate to my query in English, and when my Konkani
> friends intervened he seemed not to comprehend Konkani either. All we could
> get out of him was a shake of the head. Caterer doing business with Ravindra
> Bhavan, or functions held therein, might be well advised to take note of
> that.
> > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> >
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> 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/
>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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/


Re: [Goanet] Into the Diaspora Wilderness. . . .

2010-08-29 Thread Pandu Lampiao
Dan,
I thought you would notice the gaudy design of the Ravindra Bhavan;
with a rich architectural history as ours, its rather numbing to see
sooo many new ugly buildings all around! Take a look at
some old architecture- its peaceful, unpretentious and
calming...minimalist, and it reflected on our national (Goan)
character. The 'new' architecture is ratherare the grease-balls
called architects sans aesthetics? Guess it says a lot about where we
are and where we are headed!!!

As for not getting a response in Concani nor English is nothing
surprising. Myself will have to soon learn to communicate in Kannad,
no choice there!

Now some nut-case on the GoaNet will write asking me what my
contribution to architecture is!!!

n Driscoll  wrote:
> Drove down from Panjim, to the New 'Ravindra Bhavan' for this book-launch. It 
> looks as if it will be an extremely interesting read, and the talk by former 
> MLA Rahulrau (sp?) Gracious was super good. The point he makes about 
> 'Colonial history' seems to me very valid; The Region's unique character, and 
> current ability to play a lead role in the 'global theatre', is consequence 
> of the colonial past. The Colonists were here, and now they are gone---both 
> realities should be celebrated.
>
> One tiny quibble. Outside of the book-launch venue there was a caterer table 
> with coffee and sandwichs. Being a bit peckish, after the long drive, I tried 
> to engage the young custodian, to find out if I might partake. He seemed 
> totally unable to relate to my query in English, and when my Konkani friends 
> intervened he seemed not to comprehend Konkani either. All we could get out 
> of him was a shake of the head. Caterer doing business with Ravindra Bhavan, 
> or functions held therein, might be well advised to take note of that.
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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/


Re: [Goanet] Into the Diaspora Wilderness

2010-07-28 Thread Gabe Menezes
On 28 July 2010 02:15, Gilbert Lawrence  wrote:

> Selma's book about Diaspora Goans should be a great read. Congratulations
> Selma
> for your yeomen work.
>
> Reading some comments on the book, it appears it has a lot of stories on
> individual Diaspora Goans.  If true, it shows individual Goans being
> pioneers
> and breaking the 'glass ceiling.'  This made it much easier for those who
> followed them.  I recollect my job in Hammersmith Hospital in London.  At
> my
> interview, the chair asked me if I knew of a prior Goan, who worked there
> and
> impressed his bosses immensely.. But I digress.
>

RESPONSE: I join you on congratulating Selma on her book. It is true without
the past there is no present and without the present there is no future.

Yet there is some fish face out there who will comment - words to the
effect, some dwell on the past.
-- 
DEV BOREM KORUM

Gabe Menezes.

* * *

UK STOCKS EXHAUSTED! After a community-supported launch at
Croydon, Selma Carvalho's *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* is
available at Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564]
Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. Ask a friend to pick up a copy.
Details of the book http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/

* * *


Re: [Goanet] Into the Diaspora Wilderness

2010-07-27 Thread Gilbert Lawrence
Selma's book about Diaspora Goans should be a great read. Congratulations Selma 
for your yeomen work.

Reading some comments on the book, it appears it has a lot of stories on 
individual Diaspora Goans.  If true, it shows individual Goans being pioneers 
and breaking the 'glass ceiling.'  This made it much easier for those who 
followed them.  I recollect my job in Hammersmith Hospital in London.  At my 
interview, the chair asked me if I knew of a prior Goan, who worked there and 
impressed his bosses immensely.. But I digress.

In medicine, we call individual patient-story as "anecdotal cases."  They are 
very interesting because these individual cases are rare and their behavior is 
different from the norm. Yes, they are different from the norm. Hence we cannot 
/ do not rely-on and study the natural history of the disease (or the 
community) 
by relying on individual stories, as many sociologists do.  I hope in addition 
to the important individual accounts, the book has abundant statistical 
information; a fact not often seen in Goa-related books and writings.

When we rely on accounts of yester-years (about Goans abroad OR foreigners in 
Goa), we often refer to the science of ETHNOCENTRISM.  Only recently we have 
realized the science of CULTURAL RELATIVITY.

ETHNOCENTRISM is to see one's "way of life" as the only "right way" of living. 
Ethnocentrism continues to exists in theory and practice by conservative 
writers 
and authoritarian governments, both on the left and right of the political 
spectrum. In its extreme, ethnocentrism leads to bigotry. 


CULTURAL RELATIVITY (which is still a maturing science) studies customs in the 
context of culture as a whole and how it works relative to the existing 
environment and socio-economic patterns of the society.  This is obviously a 
much more nuanced study.  Cultural Relativity in a multi-cultural 
society is theoretically enlightening, but in practice it can lead to social 
disruption, even in today's world. 

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cs_20100724_3946.php

I am amazed that many Goans who write about yester-year over-look and do not 
appreciate the distinction and the time-lag between these two sciences.  
Sociologists and historians of the ethnocentrism era blundered in 
their observation and in their conclusions. Hope the present generation of 
scientists in these fields do not commit similar blunders, as they analyze the 
past, without separations along the time-line.  


It is like analyzing medicine of 15th -19th century by today's standards. Then, 
the standard scientific therapy  for most illnesses was blood letting, purges, 
enemas etc, to "remove the bad poisons / humors". 


Regards, GL


  

* * *

UK STOCKS EXHAUSTED! After a community-supported launch at
Croydon, Selma Carvalho's *Into the Diaspora Wilderness* is
available at Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564]
Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. Ask a friend to pick up a copy.
Details of the book http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/

* * *