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Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) book launch in
London, England @ the World Goa Day festivities on 15 Aug at 7pm
Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com
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As a citizen of India I really do feel saddened sometimes because every single
day is a gasp for a democratic breath of air. Hardly has a week passed by when
the Speaker of the Assembly laid a stake in the heart of democracy by
threatening imprisonment, hearkening us back to a time when colonial Portuguese
officers had a field day with ice-cubes at the Fort Aguada, when the HJS reared
its ugly head to threaten us with a dagger at the heart of freedom of
expression.
I really do feel sad having lived now for quite a few years in Western
democracies, to see how very hard, we Indians have to fight to preserve ours. I
wonder if Nehru, when he delivered his speech at the stroke of midnight thought
our tryst with destiny would be so torturous. Did he believe in all optimism
that we would sail into democracy, mature overnight into responsible citizens,
produce a polity with integrity and become a major power in the sub-continent.
All of these dreams seem to have failed us. Failed us to the extent where his
own great-grandson talks of cutting hands.
Still, one must have hope. It just gets tougher to find it.
Best,
selma
