1: JC wrote: [Gilbert is from Utica where Cornell University]
2: Selma :[to the best of my knowledge there is no legal penalty for
plagiarism per se, and any censure that occurs does so usually in academic
circles]
Cecil Pinto: [2) Gilbert Lawrence has also authored a book, "Amchi Khobor -
Our News - Inside Goa". Since there are no references cited (...) Will
Gilbert please clarify if the contents of his book are all original? If
there are parts that are quoted from other books or papers why haven't they
been given credit (...) Or is there some new trend in publishing where one
can freely quote without mentioning the original sources?]
jc's response
Dears
re 1: First of all let me thank Santoshbab for correcting me. Cornell
University is in Ithaca,NY while Gilbert is from Utica,NY.
re 2: Selma may wish to please vide http://www.rbs2.com/plag.htm under 3:
The Law of Plagiarism
re 3: Cecil Pinto is right on the button. Please vide
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goa-Goans/message/23114
The book Amchi Khobor not only has unreferenced material, it also has
revisionist stuff in it e.g. that in Goa, Village Panchayats "control
revenue collection, medical care, public health and elementary schools".
There are some gross errors which could have been avoided IF Gilbert had the
humility to seek review from somebody knowledgeable in Goa. One of the
errors suggests that Goa is at an higher altitude than Mt. Everest.
I submit that IF this book was meant to be used as a basis for teaching
anybody anything about Goa, attention should have been paid to minute
detail....and the appropriate errata issued (and sent to ALL those who
purchased the book directly from Gilbert)
Interesting that this book has been submitted to the Library of Congress (I
stand corrected if it hasn't been) without any references i.e. this book is
an original.
We all make errors. I know I make them all the time. It is but prudent for
us to accept our errors, correct them and move on. The other option is to
defend the indefensible.
Sincerely
jc
