Dear Selma, I rarely post such pieces now, and do not intend to keep it up; but, I was quite certain it would be an interesting read.
Youth in an interesting time, during which we are all are enamoured with ideas, visions, our sexualities and what we are able to understand of such motions within ourselves, varying sense of invincibility, and of course the notion of knowing a lot. We all go through that in varying measures. At some point post-youth, around twenty-five thirty, one finds avenues, seek them, make our won, as well as strutting our stuff, while announcing ourselves. We seem to arrive--for a few it is a coming All of a sudden they know for sure who we are, what we are all about. It changes over time for almost all, barring a few. In the same way as those who touch but cannot feel, or see but cannot really see—although they look and peer with undivided attention; certainly individuals appears shrill to many ears. It may range from not willing to make correlations to having lost the ability or the interest to hear analogies, the obvious, or an inability to hear. Recent conversations via email, chat and phone with people of Goan origins have helped me see how others view themselves and well as, me too, vis-a-vis social constructs, the idea of relaxation/fun/lifestyle, fear, sense of place, education (why Ivy League etc.). The same with my college mates and people in the past. But all this is tied to how we all see. what it is we see. I see Arundhati's role as one of pointing or having one turn ones eyes. Others do that do. They all do differently. We all do. I do too, but I prefer not to spell details here since I have finally accepted that it is not in my interest to do so. Speaking about myself: there are enough traces, huge swashes that convey a sense of me. I am not enamoured by her, but I like what she points out from time to time. People play, and live various roles. venantius j pinto
