Not so fast Elisabeth! Rolling over based on opinions is not for "Huttons." They only roll over based on facts. Neither Avelino nor Victor explain the disparity of the reviews on "Holy Warriors" that was posted.
Khushwant Singh (very renowned in his own right): "This is vividly brought out in Edna Fernandes's powerful book. Holy Warriors is as fair and objective an assessment of the perils that lie ahead for India as any that I have ever read. It is a must for all of those who wish this country to prosper as a secular democracy." Mehta's first line of his review is: "While Fernandes' heart is in the right place, the result is a rather superficial book that perplexes more than it illuminates. " And a lot more that you previously outlined. One can hardly believe both reviewers read the same book. I hope you forwarded your (and my) "review of the review" to Mehta. Our feedback will keep him honest in future. History and science is littered with arrogant and wrong "literatis" and "experts". The questions I would ask Mehta is: With all his credentials and holding high posts in Delhi where was / is he with all the religion-based fanatic killings of innocent minorities in many different parts of India? Is India's failure on this front his own professional failure? Frankly he should welcome someone writing on this topic. I have many good and experienced Indian physicians here who hold Hindutva and RSS views about historical India and ideas on treating its minorities. So Mehta's credentials do not phase me. His actions do! Surely, Victor with his English sophistication cannot help but defend Mehta's very dismissive review of "Holy Warriors". Thanks Avelino for admitting it was not a complimentary review. What others are saying about "Holy Warriors" (written by a Goan) is not the issue. It is what Goans are doing, and us supporting one of our own. Kudos to Elisabeth for standing even when the dust is blowing in her face. Most Goans, as is being shown, only provide lip-service that we support other Goans. In fact Goans (and sp. writers) have three reasons to stand up. Firstly the author is a Goan and has produced a great work as per some reviewers. Secondly, the issue she highlights clearly is something that affects Goans and Christians throughout India. Thirdly, for the last year of the BJP rule in Goa, native Goans and our ayatollahs in cyber Goa have been complaining repeatedly of extreme elements from within and outside Goa spreading the extremist political and religious message in word and deed much to the detriment of the peace of native Goans. Have we forgotten the saga of movie on Goa? Is it: Goans want a leader to articulate our plight and when one shows up we desert the cause and the individual? Is this our story? Kind Regards, GL Elisabeth Carvalho I've already eaten crow and humble pie and acknowledged that Pratap Mehta is indeed an author of note. However, I still see red when someone describes goans who want to cling onto their identity as "fundamentalist". This, I cannot stomach. I am one of those Goans, who is very proud to be a Goan and will cling onto my identity till evolution batters it out of me. --- "D'Souza, Avelino" wrote: > "Dr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta is President and Chief Executive, Centre for Policy > Research, New Delhi. He was previously Professor of Government at Harvard > University and Associate Professor of Government and of Social Studies at > Harvard. He was also Professor of Philosophy and Law and Governance, JNU." _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected])
