Thanks for understanding my point of view Patsy. We who deal with young people on a one to one basis know how a little individual help can go a long way. For instance Rs 5000 may be nothing for a wealthy person to give a student who can't afford to study beyond the 12th standard but for the kid it means an opportunity for a better life not only for him/her but for the generations that follow. A well-to-do person would not have the faintest idea how difficult it is sometimes for students to ask their poor parents for 300rs to buy books or journals when there is not enough food on the tables.The pain they go through has to be seen to be believed.And on the other hand there are students who flaunt 500r notes in canteens and food gaddos. 'Sharing 'may seem idealistic but it is on my 'wish list' for the world.It's not just money but so many other things that can be shared. Fortunately the generosity of kind friends and family members who have come forward to help needy students, has given me hope that individuals can make a difference in the lives of the poor.And instead of putting all the blame on politicians(who are actually "takers 'and not 'givers'), if each one did his/her bit it would definitely make the world a better place.
----- Original Message ----- From: Patricia Nazareth To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 6:09 AM Subject: Re: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! In this whole discussion, Yvonne's observation that..... There is only one solution;those who have should share with those who do not is an extremely valid point - idealistic as it may seem. There are many examples of people making a difference, both - locally and globally......sharing their wealth, time and talents, generously, with the less fortunate. Perhaps, the only way in which we can hope to help improve anyone's situation (whether in Saligao or anywhere else) is to hope that more people adopt this attitude of generosity. Very unfortunately, harsh reality is that the more people have, the more they want, and the less they think about others (ie. the more selfish they get.) So, coming full circle.....while the poor of the world have our well-deserved compassion and sympathy, and (as Rico rightly says - will do almost anything to get ahead, and who can blame them?) they are, for the most part, much better (and often happier) people than their filthy rich counterparts. Patsy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Yvon.Gmail <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, January 14, 2011 4:51:52 AM Subject: Re: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! I don't think anyone would glamorise poverty and make a conscious choice to be poor. The point I wanted to make was that DESPITE poverty and hardship the villagers of yore emerged stronger and more at peace with nature and with themselves. Today poverty makes people bitter, frustrated and discontented because as you rightly said they are aware of their deprivation and long for a better life.Who can blame them? There is only one solution;those who have should share with those who do not. ----- Original Message ----- From: Frederick Noronha To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 2:27 PM Subject: Re: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! We should not fall into the trap of glamourising poverty. While these men may be "richer than most of us", how many of us would like to exchange our lives for their's? At the end of the day, I would say that the bulk of the villagers of Saligao have no stake in our growth or our aspirations. Many don't even have access to a decent, regular and sustainable income -- more so after the collapse of the traditional, often barter-based economy. The fact that they can see the good life passing them by makes them only more aware of their deprivation. Which is why, many would be willing to do just about anything to get ahead in life -- whether that's selling water, giving controversial permissions for buildings, massacaring a part of the village sylvan areas, dumping mud into fields, and so on... As Chris has pointed out, many of our co-villagers have not moved one inch forward in the past one generation or two. In colonial times, we had an alibi. Now, whom do we blame? Just the politicians? I don't think that's sufficient. I don't intend to be pessimistic alone. We have some fine institutions in Saligao, which are benefitting a whole lot ... including schools which accept all, regardless of differences of community, caste or class (there are still a few barriers like language, but not as insurmountable as in the past). We also have individuals who have given a lot, and helped make the village a better place. But let us not forget those who have been almost completely excluded from all such initiatives. FN Frederick Noronha :: +91-9822122436 :: +91-832-2409490 Some books from Goa,1556 http://bit.ly/euv3g8 On 14 January 2011 07:27, Yvon.Gmail <[email protected]> wrote: Exactly my sentiments Sanjeev!!. We will not see such strength,stamina and a oneness with nature in the generations to come. Their weather-beaten faces are beautiful. We may interpret a picture in different ways but there's no denying that these pictures speak to us of our history. Thanks for sharing. ----- Original Message ----- From: Sanjeev Trivedi To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 9:06 AM Subject: Re: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! The pictures were meant to capture the once very integral part of the Goan village scene. certainly NOT beauty. If you consider the pride, self respect and dignity these men possess, they are richer than most of us. I look upon these gentlemen with utmost respect. Sanjeev On Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 7:09 AM, Christopher Desouza <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Sanjeev, I second Dilip in saying that the pictures are good because they were taken by a top notch camera and cameraman. That being said,what it brings to mind, to us Goan expats , is the hardship and poverty which does not seem to leave the most unfortunate of fellow Goans. Us all expats have conquered mountains, started companies, achieved in medicine, written books, held top notch civil service positions etc. etc. but have not been able to change the daily lives of most Goans for the better. This is because, the people in leadership locally, are corrupt, have a get rich at all costs mentality, no matter what the cost to the rest of society or environment is, and have not worked to better the fortunes of the common masses. Instead they have tried to keep the Goan people, ignorant by forcing them to study in Konkani in elementary school and by the time they get to middle and high school they are already left behind. Their education is only good to keep alive in the villages. This makes for a uneducated populace that cannot challenge corruption and instead, embrace it at all levels, pandering to the greed of those in leadership. This attitude has permeated into every segment of our Goan society, and now it is a free for all, of dog eat dog. Some of this has been brought about, by us Goan expats, flashing our foreign exchange and making people who do not have, feel envious, and in order to keep up with the Joneses, more able to be open minded about being dishonest. I commend the few good souls, in Goa, who work tirelessly for the betterment of Goan Society, against unsurmountable odds. With the amount of Goan talent involved, making the world a better place for the last few hundred years, it comes at a great surprise that we Goans, outperform on a world stage but are outclassed at home. I enjoyed you pictures Sanjeev, and I hope you continue to expose the ills of society through your lens. I, like Dilip, am very pained by the reflection of what those images mean....that the hardship of the Goan people has not changed in the 30 odd years of my absence. Regards Chris D [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: dilip dacruz <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Mon, January 10, 2011 5:12:26 AM Subject: RE: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! Hi Sanjeev. These are beautiful photographs indeed, but I DO look forward to the Goa they capture rapidly disappearing into history. The wizened face, the worn out slippers, the ancient worn-out bicycle, the sheer hardship of life that the pictures capture - there is nothing beautiful about hardship and poverty. I guess the beauty of the pics is that they capture the unbeautiful beautifully? [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [SALIGAONET] The Goa that is fast getting into History ! Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:16:49 +0530 I am sure most Saligaonetters will relate to these pictures. Sanjeev -- This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active! -- This message comes via the Google Groups "Saligao-Net" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net?hl=en Please post regularly to keep the e-village active! -- Saligao-Net is at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe email [email protected] -- Saligao-Net is at http://groups.google.com/group/saligao-net To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe email [email protected]
