Whatever theory one holds, it is undeniable that the average Goan will not buy a Goan book. Its got nothing to do with price or affordability, its just the way it is.
Having said that, there is a core of Goan readers who will go to great lengths to procure a good book to read. Thank God for this core, for self publishing and for Goa 1556, word goes around and readers are created. In Toronto, the largest city of the Goan Diaspoea outside of India including London, there is no little store where one can walk in and buy a Goan book, Konkani novel, magazine or DVD. I do miss a corner store that used to exist in the once small Doha's main street, shehr al kahraba (electricity street), run by a guy named Caji from Quepem or Canacona, I don't remember which. Barely 2 standing persons could fit into his store due to inventory all over. In addition to music and print, he also sold some religious articles clandestinely. Buyers would stand outside and tell him what they were looking for and he would get to chatting with you. There was often a small crowd around, talking about things Goan rather than buying anything, but Caji prospered. As his neighbors he had a well patronized Goan Tailors, where a choice Raymond Woolen Mills terry wool fabric of latest weave and design and customized tailoring would set you back no more than $15. A suit $ $50. Compare that to a Hongkong Sindhi tailor who advertises his visits to Toronto in the Star and makes appointments for fittings, charging you about $2,000 for middle range business attire. Perhaps Bosco and Frederick together with any business operating Goan should for the sake of Goan readers in Toronto, put their heads together, think outside the box and come out with some avenue for availability. Perhaps a small restaurant having place in a small nook to artfully display goods from Goa for benefit of both buyers and for increased traffic to the seller. It isn't so easy as it sounds, given Bosco's tendency to burn his candles from five different ends doing ten different things at any given time, and to Frederick's task of bring out books at an amazing pace, but to those who have been here for not as long, it's a little touch of home. Roland. Sent from Yahoo Mail oon Android
