One must always say what one knows. On Tarun Tejpal purporting: Its like
saying, one purports to be a priest -- who is offensive, messes with
children, leave alone women. Is Tarun an intellectual or not. He is an
intellectual, perhaps not equal to some others but he is one. No doubt
about that. His comment suggests a crassness (in a festive bacchanalian
vein); perhaps he is an dick. Being an intellectual (public or otherwise),
DOES NOT in any way suggest, nor should it imply that he/she will not have
a cruder side.
It would be in the Goan interest -- no matter what, for Goans in the know,
and those connected to higher levels of Truth, to also attempt
understanding how that statement came about, It is foul -- that is a given;
but still attempt to find out its provenance. Was it even a closed door
event to begin with. AGAIN, this is not condoning. Its is fact finding.
Then we individually can peep into ourselves. All helpful.
Now rest assured that everyone will be observed very closely, AND the
better for it, I guess.
There was no need to point to Tejpal’s mother. In doing so, the gauntlet
has been throw and in so doing ones hand reveled on two levels -- who one
is, what one is capable of in terms of constructing complex invective.
Tejpal's remark may have been flippant, but now a more pungent and decisive
one has been made and projected in the name of all Goans -- as in willful.
Furthermore, his comment -- him being intellectual and all, may not have
been willful -- although very real and perhaps came from his subconscious.
The one about his mother on the other hand was done very consciously and
assigned intense potency.
It would PERHAPS have been more GOAN (if not attempted already), to have a
small meet/mediation with Tarun Tejpal. That group could have included a
section of Goan cultural, conflict resolution stalwarts, Bailancho Saad,
Bailancho Manch, including Percival Noronha (if possible) and others, both
the Naik's (Hindu and Christian), Hindu and Muslim representative, the
Bishop, VictorHCGomes, and investigative journalists. Show Tarun Tejpal
what Goa and Goans are. I mean all the stuff we say we are but do not
always get a chance to practice perhaps.
But you folks are on the ground. That is true.
Best.
venantius j pinto
From: Victor Gomes goachi...@gmail.com
To: goa...@goanet.org
Subject: [Goanet] Press statement in response to irresponsible remark
by Tarun Tegpal.
Hi,
We will be grateful if you could kindly publish the following
statement in your publication.
Thanking you
STATEMENT
We the undersigned are pained, anguished and outraged to read a
loose-mouthed and despicable statement by Tarun Tejpal in The Herald
dated November 5, 2011. Tejpal is purported to be an intellectual and
organizer of the Think Festival which seeks to project the militant
and alternative voices, be it environmental warriors, the tribals
protecting their homelands or artists, writers and film-makers
aspiring to create a better global future through their work.
We are shocked as to how an organizer with such a tall and lofty
mandate could stoop so low to desecrate and malign the very character
of the state which has offered him and his initiative warm welcome and
hospitality. Much as the Think Festival resists the attempts to
vandalize the heritage and environment, one cannot violate and defile
the identity of a people. Tejpal can sleep with his mother if he
chooses to, but please spare us. (Dear editor, please do not delete
this remark as comments made by Tejpal are ruder and aimed at the
entire people of Goa). The faulty perception of Goa as a land of wine,
women and song persists in stag memories. But to have a blighting like
this endorsed in the keynote address is a mockery of the very ideals
that the Think Festival is suppose to espouse.
Anoop Babani, Victor Hugo Gomes, Dr. Bala Iyer and many other concerned
Goans.
Victor Hugo Gomes
House No. 498
Pulwaddo, Benaulim
Salcete, Goa - 403716
mobile:09850466165
landline:0832-6570877
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