Melvyn wrote:
My witness X does not need to be involved at this stage as photographs do not
lie. However I can confirm that my witness at great inconvenience to himself
travelled by public transport to Selma's gated residence only to be given back
the books on the Convention Day as they were not going to be displayed. He was
quite hurt and phoned me to let me know about this as he thought I was involved
with the Convention being a long standing community worker for over 30 years.
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RESPONSE:
The only reason I am bothering to respond to this is because I am quite
astounded by the extent to which Melvyn and his witness will go to ruin the
reputation of another human being. Overnight the charge has changed from the
"books being hidden from important dignitaries" to "the books being returned."
Which is it? Were the books returned or hidden? To any rational human this in
itself will reek of desperation.
If your witness was honest he would have told you that I returned the books on
the third day of the Convention, at the tail-end of the Festival after we had
packed up our tent. My husband's back is still aching for having carted them
around for the three days of the Convention. I wish now I had never agreed to
take them on board. I only did so out of respect for Silviano and because I am
the type of person who never says no. I too have a picture clearly showing
Silviano's book on the table.
Your witness also forgot to tell Silviano that I had returned the books,
leaving Silviano to believe I had sold them and possibly pocketed the money.
Your witness has caused me a great deal of anguish in the UK, since I got the
HLF Grant. Anguish that could have resulted in great financial loss to the
community at large. I shall not go into the details of this on a public forum.
I am given to understand your witness is as we say in the UK, away with the
fairies. In which case, he should be under the care of a doctor and his friends
should spend their time counseling him instead of encouraging him to be
disruptive within the community. Doubtless, he shall continue without any
repercussions causing general mayhem. Luckily for me, my time in the UK will
come to an end soon.
As for your other question, rest assured I owe you nothing, least of all
explanations to anything I say or write on other forums. You are welcome the
raise the issue in that particular forum where it will be seen in its proper
context. Like I said, I have no idea who you are and going by what little I
know of you and your wife, that seems to be the best thing about being the UK.
That my path does not cross Goans like you.
By the way, I am ccing this to the President of the Goan Association (UK), to
keep him informed.
Best,
Selma
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