# If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others #
##########################################################################
Tony Martins wrote.. Hi Everybody
Cecil:
Just out of curiosity Tony. Why have you c.c.ed so many people who are already members of this forum and would get your e-mail anyway?
----
Tony: I am a young writer. I am writing a book on Matka. OK, stop smiling and read on.
Cecil:
I am a middle aged writer. Considering the life expectancy in Goa is 68 years I am in fact way past middle age. Is it ok if I continue smiling as I read on? I've got this silly grin on my face and can't seem to get rid of it.
-------
Tony: The book will primarily focus on case studies of people who are matka addicts, of people who have kicked the habit for good. Interviews of the gamblers and their kin.
Cecil:
Oh! I thought you were going to write about matka, the Game, and I was all excited. A book on Matka gamblers is a different ball game. They are gamblers. Period. It's like you don't have Caju Alcoholics and Whisky Alcoholics just alcoholics. A gambler is a gambler, whatever his favourite gambling game might be. Most matka players prefer the game because of easy accessibility, relatively fast results and good odds offered. I would suggest you widen the scope of your book to include all forms of gambling including casinos, housie and the local parish raffle.
------
Tony: I would appreciate your comments on the following points: What do you think about this form of gambling?
Cecil: Matka is da best! And it should be legitimized! -------
Tony: What do you think about the people who play matka?
Cecil:
There are those who play wisely and those who dance with Lady Luck. The second type are visible at accident sites taking down the numbers of the vehicles involved.
------
Tony: How do you generally feel about people who have become victims of vices like gambling, drug addiction and alcoholism.
Cecil:
Addiction of any sort is a disease and should be viewed as such and proper professional help sought. Is this book about gambling and Matka - or about addiction in general?
-----
Tony: Do you believe that "Rationality notwithstanding man is a product of circumstances"?
Cecil:
Sorry I didn't quite understand the question. If you could give a few examples I could respond.
-----
Tony: Do you think that gamblers, alcoholics and drug addicts become what they become out of choice?
Cecil:
Yes sure. They wanted to be that way. What sort of a question is this?
Everyone does what they like to do. Some get hooked some don't. Nobody starts something with the intention of getting addicted.
How has a book on Matka Players veered off to include alcohol and drugs too? What's next? Sex?
----- Tony: Do you know anybody who has become rich through matka?
Cecil: Sure I do! Many people. Mostly matka bookies, cops and politicians.
------- Tony: Do you know of anybody who has landed himself or/and his family in trouble because of his habit?
Cecil:
Sure I do. I also know many non-matka players who have landed their families and themselves in trouble. Much bigger trouble.
------
Tony: What rehabilitation measures would you want to suggest to get these people to see reason and kick their habit?
Cecil:
Make them matka bookies. They will realize that the actual money is in accepting bets rather than laying bets. Perfect rehabilitation with good career prospects.
------
Tony: Do these people deserve a second chance?
Cecil: What do you feel Tony? Capital Punishment sounds a bit drastic no?
-------- Tony: Do you have any vice? Like smoking, drinking, drugs, sex (with the prohibited women including your neighbour's beautiful wife or daughter)
Cecil:
I will answer these questions privately Tony. But you have identified the regular and obvious suspects. But what about Internet and E-mail and writing? Aren't these addictions? Or moderating e-groups and being fanatical about animals and not caring for humans? Almost anything can be addictive. It is the relative costs to self and society that make one addiction to be perceived as bad and another as acceptable.You want to cover all forms of addiction?
------
Tony: Have you ever found yourself caught in the firm grip of a vice? How did you get out of it?
Cecil:
C'mon Tony. How did you hear about that? It was so long ago. I was young, like you are now. There was nobody in the garage. I was tempted. I turned the grip too hard. It was embarrassing to have the neighbor's daughter release me. But better her grip than metal. My thumb has never come back to normal.
Kidding aside Tony a book on gambling addiction in Goa (specially matka) would be interesting to read, but please don't be overly moralistic and try to include sex and drugs and alcohol and everything. Let's tackle one problem at a time - if indeed there is a problem.
Cheers!
Cecil =======
