'LOCAL HISTORY' OF AN EXTREMELY LOCALISED KIND... FROM AROUND MAPUSA -- Britto's Retro: Voices & Notes in All Octaves Miguel Braganza (compiler) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Britto's OBA, Mapusa Pp 208 Rs 50 Diamond Publications, Panjim [EMAIL PROTECTED] --
FN Would it surprise you to know that a giant structure like St Britto's in Mapusa was, half a century ago, built for just Rs 450,000? Or that in the 1950s, Mapusa was still a "sleepy town of 15,000, with Comunidade clerks slowly moving in their topee-cum-dhotee-cum-tie and jacket". Further, that in those times, the sole magazine allowed into Portuguese-ruled Goa was D.F.Karaka's 'Current' weekly, with its extensive coverage of Bombay socialites. Or that butter and cheese came from Holland or Australia, "for those who could afford it". Belgaum was also then a city much larger than Panjim. But despite some nice building in the Camp area and St Paul's School, the "commercial center was full of rotting hay and the droppings of stray cattle and donkeys." And: around 1961, you got INR 170 for a hundred Portuguese rupees worth of 'escudos'. Besides, interesting to note that boarding schools, once run as part of many educational institutions here and aimed at catering to expat kids, have now all but closed down over the years. Yet, the reality also was that when students came back from countries like Africa, coping with subjects like Hindi was a nightmare for some. These are some facts that emerge from a just-published book, which is meant to be a series of reminiscences of 'old boys' of the Mapusa-based prominent school, St Britto's. It has some two dozen articles, mostly compiled via cyberspace, from students currently scattered across the globe. It was speedily put together, literally in months, so the hurry show somewhat. But it reads like any local, relevant text would, when circulated in its relevant context. Cyberspace offers new potentials to build online communities; hopefully Goa could gain back from the skills it has lost in decades of the 'brain drain'. Loyalty-based, non-competitive institutions like past-pupils networks could surely help. The assidousness with which, say, IITs, have cultivated their own networks has brought in rich returns. Many years later. Not just in terms of funds, but more importantly by way of skills. My long-time friend Miguel Braganza, with whom I tend to strongly agree to disagree (over such issues like off-topic posts and why money can often be superfluous while building social capital ... apart from possibly playing a negative role too) has got 'my' views fixed in an unusual way at the start of this book itself. He juxtaposes sentences and adjectives, and the end result is something one can't quite agree with. Miguel writes in his acknowledgement: "BOB (Britto Old Boy) Frederick "Rico" Noronha, journalist, editorial consultant and net group moderator based in Saligao, played a stellar role in this effort. The 'Britto Retro' is admittedly not his idea of a 'good book' with a long 'shelf life', among the many 'reservations' he had about associating his name with the book." Then, he goes on to "acknowledge" this reviewer's "contribution". One could just say here that Miguel misunderstands, or chooses to, the points raised earlier by private emails. But this is not the time or space to waste energies on such debates. Certainly not in public. Besides, such issues are hardly relevant over the long run. What matters is whether such a publication builds community or not. From all signs (a few hiccups notwithstanding) this reasonably-priced publication seems to have a useful contribution to play. Needless to say, some disagreements apart, one does believe that this is a useful book for any Britto old boy. Possibly for others too. My own folks at home have been devouring the book; which only goes to show the need for localised, relevant writing in a complex society like Goa. (ENDS) BOOK COVER: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/314186900/ -- FN 9822122436 +91-832-240-9490 (phone calls after 1 pm please) FLOSS, geeks, blogs: [http://planet.foss.in/] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
