>From Miguel Braganza : Dears, Wrote Dr. Francisco Colaco, MD,: "I received two Christmas gifts much in advance. The first was from Uday Bhembre [a man whom I defend to the hilt as being secular]. He chose to label me as communal. Thanks, Uday!"
Miguel continued: Obviously, it hurts to hear such words from someone whom one considers as a friend! What made Adv. Uday Bhembre to turn against a man who stood by him ... even when some of his own community labelled him as a "betrayer" (...) Is being honest to oneself "communal" ? --- jc's response: Dear Miguelbab ani FC, I am surprised that the good doctor is 'hurt'. 1. On what basis does FC consider Mr Bhembre to be 'secular'? I understand that the word 'secular' has a totally screwed-up meaning in India; almost like the word 'liberal' has been screwed up in the US or Australia (for that matter). 2. If FC is correct that Mr. Bhembre is secular, what connection is there to Mr. Bhembre calling FC 'communal'? Was there an expected quid pro quo? 3. Then again - it probably depends on what what Mr. Bhembre meant by the word 'communal'. 4. I will submit that Politics and Self Interest are strange fields. There are no avenues for being "hurt". They are similar to the games of Chess and Snakes & Ladders. 5. In chess, once a pawn is used - it only rarely becomes useful again. It is usually sacrificed. 6. Talking about snakes - Snakes do bite, Do they not? Moral: Pawns should watch out for Snakes. jc
