Dear readers I have noted comments made by learned friends on the net Mr Mervyn Maciel and Mr Gabe Menezes. I take this opportunity to emphasise that the Goan is not a species of cockroach that can be stamped under foot. We are actually very alive and kicking in 2014 around the world even though, as you know, our people never tell the "right story". Hence the need for verification ten times. Perhaps someone can enlighten me why this is?
If Selma Carvalho's book mentions that there was German whisky it may have been possible or she may have been given the wrong story and is passing it on. It is up to everyone of us when we see something wrong to correct it and not go ya ya ya ya that will be chanted on with generations yet unborn all with the wrong story hence the phrase "Are Goans Stupid?". In Britain with its free education there are 14-16 year olds who cannot read or write. If the book A Railway Runs Through has made people read and think again, away from their play stations and computer games then this itself is an achievement. Having served on German soil with BAOR (British Army On the Rhine) I am familar with some of the drink labels mentioned by Gabe Menezes but haven't tried all of them yet. Without reference to anything I am in agreement that our people were involved in contraband/fiddles activities or black as it is commonly known as. In the last few years, a cruise ship docked at Marmagoa harbour on a visit, the ship was stripped off all its duty free goods by Goa customs. Wonder what happened after this? Have any more cruise ships visited Goa to contribute to the local economy? Melvyn Fernandes Thornton Heath, Surrey, United Kingdom 12 May 2014
