I would like to endorse wholeheartedly Santosh Helekar's and Mervyn Marciel's praise for Selma Carvalho's hard work and a good product in her new book. It seems a very Goan 'thing' that we just want to criticise, belittle and wish to tear down anything good that is achieved by a fellow-Goan! This, so often, appears to be a trait especially among those who are unable to produce anything half as worthy or worthwhile themselves but are ready to pounce on anyone who shows any initiative to do good and produce something of substance.
I look forward to reading Selma's book, and, in view of my own experiences and upbringing, the chapters on Zanzibar in particular. I would urge Selma, if indeed she needs any such urging, to ignore such wanton negative and unjustified criticisms and proceed apace with her scholarship and research.
