*** Illustrious Academician and Historian (Alban Couto's tribute to JC-A)
EPW Commentary January 21, 2006 Tribute: John Correia-Afonso Illustrious Academician and Historian John Correia-Afonso had a brilliant academic career in history and economics, which he taught before joining the priesthood. His contributions to the writing of Jesuit history comprise his Jesuit Letters and Indian History, The Ignation Vision of India and The Jesuits in India. But it was his realisation of the workings of a pervasive force that animated the structures of Goan society that led him to modify the interpretation of history as conditioned only by the material means of production. Alban Couto With his characteristic humility, John-Correia-Afonso would have disclaimed the title of a historian in the sense of being an expert; he would have preferred the second sense of being called a student of history. His birthplace was Goa, at Benaulim, signifying in Konkani the place where the arrow fell from the bow of the mythical Parasurama, causing the waters of the Arabian sea to recede, thereby bringing about the creation of Goa. Not far away in the same district of Salsette, at Sancoale, is the birthplace of the great Indian scholar and historian, D D Kosambi (1907-1966). He revolutionised the writing of Indian history. But it was his realisation of the workings of a pervasive force that animated the structures of Goan society that led him to modify the interpretation of history as conditioned only by the material means of production. This metaphysical influence is palpable in the career and work of John Correia-Afonso. His family, deeply religious, was imbued with a broad liberal culture. His father, Francisco, an eminent educationist known for his erudition, wit, and repartee, was a star in the cosmopolitan and intellectually challenging life of Bombay of those times. They venerated the English writer, Chesterton, known also for his wit, and in Francisco’s words of “a rich humanity sublimated by transcendent spirituality; a flaming devotion for democracy and liberty, together with a deep reverence for authority and tradition”. These, John sought to combine with the sense of mission which he found in Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. A brilliant academic career in history and economics, which he taught before becoming a jesuit priest in 1946, was enriched by studies in theology and philosophy in Sri Lanka, Spain and US. He could hold his own with some of the sharpest intellects for which the Society was well known.He rose rapidly and reached virtually the highest rung of the society, becoming its secretary-general in Rome during 1967-70, and then regional assistant (for India) to the superior general during 1970-75. Departure from Rome There were rumours as to why he left Rome for India. Was his departure connected to the misgivings in Rome about the course of policies followed by the jesuits in developing countries especially in Latin America, where the conduct of liberation theology of national identity and social justice seemed to be pushing priests into politics? The changes were effected in the top order of the jesuit hierarchy which eventually led to the change of superior general. Whatever may have been the reasons for John’s departure, it did not dim his vision. It was expressed quietly and firmly in his academic work as principal of the St Xavier’s College, and then as director of the Indian Institute of Indian History and Culture from 1976 to 1990,which was renamed as the Heras Institute to commemorate his mentor’s pioneering work and scholarship in Indological studies and history. The writing of history was itself undergoing radical changes, moving away from the dry-as-dust narration of battles and political acts of rulers. The new emerging dimensions of the study of history were debated and discussed in their bearing on research in Indian history in workshops and seminars organised by John. In Historical Research in India (1979) edited by him, comprising papers and reports of seminars, a noteworthy contribution was made by Ashim Das Gupta, head of the department of history at Santiniketan, who referred to the inter-disciplinary approach mainly within the social sciences. “Indian history has emancipated itself from the earlier preoccupations with politics understood in terms of the individual actors and is moving towards an exploration of the structure within which the individuals acted”. This approach to Indian history also meant the assessment of external influences that were adapted by and assimilated in the pluralism of the Indian tradition. John took the stand with many others against the trends that sought to denigrate and even eradicate such influences. He initiated the safeguarding of heritage structures of Anglo-Portuguese-Indian synthesis. He established the Bombay Local History Society and organised walks that explained the value and significance of Bombay’s heritage. But there were difficulties in the acceptance of Portuguese influences which
*** Goanet News Bytes * Feb 7, 2006 * Punish those vandalising religious places, says GPCC
Goanet News Bytes Summaries Feb 7, 2006 - o Punish those vandalising religious places, says Goa Pradesh Congress Committee. Places of worship are being targeted by the culprits at the behest of certain people working behind the curtains to derive political mileage out of these anti-social incidents, who are out to create tension in Goa, says Ravi Naik. (NT) o Sonia to visit Goa for a day in last week of Feb. (NT) o Goa music industry loses Rs 100 crores due to piracy. (NT) o Damodar College seminar on infrastructure dvpt in Goa. (NT) o Raia villagers oppose a Muslim burial ground in village.(NT) o Supreme Court order (on noise) dampens dance halls. (NT) o Stiff opposition to Ravi Naik heading GSIDC. (GT) o Dayanand Narvekar resigns as Goa Cricket Assn president. (GT) o Margao council's lethargy results in garbage accumulation.GT o Chicalim panchayat reaffirms opposition to shipyard. (GT) o Goa Today Feb 2006 issue on stands: Mridangam maestro Malbarao. o Passports applied for till Jan 9 have been cleared. (NT) o Municipal union extends support to ban on plastics. (NT) o Meta Strips has changed its name to Meta Copper Alloy Ltd. o Cashew crop auction on Feb 14, from 10 am onwards. o Workshop on impact of WTO on Indian SMEs: Fidalgo, Feb 10. o Govt announces new fares for autos, taxis, motorcycles.NT o Court calls for report on garbage dump at Mapusa. (H) o Speed breakers turning into death traps at Sanguem. (H) o Mormugao road show to make citizens aware of plastics ban. (H) o GU English dept plans one-day literary fest Cynosure 2006, Feb 10. o Two-day seminar on March 6-7 at International Centre on Higher Education in Goa: A Roadmap and Priorities (2006-2016) FIFTH VOLUME of the Goa Medical College archives to be released on February 10 at 3.30 pm at the GMC lecture hall 1. Edited by Professor R Wiseman Pinto, the archives is published every two years. The first was published in 1961. Articles featured in the latest issue will include contributions from consultant physician Dr Francisco Colaco of Margao, obstetrician and gynaec Dr Arcanjo de Menezes of Margao and former GMC dean Dr V G Dhume. It was earlier published as Arquivos da Escola Medico-Cirurgica de Goa. (NT) LAW OF THE JUNGLE: The rape of the Socorro plateau (near Porvorim) has commenced. In what seems to be a preview of the damage that the proposed IT Park will do to the fragile ecology of this area, quarrying activity has been underway at Vaddem for a considerable period of time in private forest land. Similar as in the case of Assagao, the powers that be seem hell-bentn on doing away with pristine forest land, which are the last surviving in Bardez.GT FOR THE FIRST TIME, the premier of a major Hindi film was held in Goa. Pooja Bhat's film 'Holiday', the story of which is based on Goa, was screened at the INOX on Monday, in the presence ofits cast. Ms Bhat said the Rs 3.5 crore film was shot over 41 days, 39 of these were in Goa. She said the film celebrates ordariness. Pooja Bhat owns a house in Goa and she got married here. The film is about a family which is holidaying in Goa, and a change of events changes their lives. (NT) 'DOSHMUKT': The acquittal of four accused in the Mala/ Fontainhas vandalism case is big news, in sections of the Goa press. It's a five-column headline on top of Page 1 in Gova Doot, the paper seen as being close to the BJP. The headline reads: Naguesh Karmalimsah choughe doshmukt'. Navhind Times, in a small report on Page 3, reports that the advocate for the accused Pravin Phaldesai had brought to the notice of the court that there was no evidence on record to show that all four persons were involved in the crime. Herald says: Thought the newspapers had flashed reports of the damage caused by the vandals, the police moved at a snail's pace and, in January 2005, the Parrikar government closed the case. (Goanet) THREE JUVENILES, aged between 13-16, were arrested from Mangor Hill Vasco for forcing an eight-year-old boy to allegedly consume liquor and then involve him in unnatural sex. (NT) PRAKAASH EYE HOSPITAL at Vasco promises cataract surgery performed the simplest way with only three drops of anesthesia... no injection, no bandage, no stitch, no pain. Minimum cost of surgery Rs 6000 adjusted to suit any patient. - DEATHS AND REMEMBRANCES: - CUNCOLIM: Macedon Gomes of Panzorconim, b 1985 CURTORIM: Anthony Joaquim Mesquita, beblo b 1981. NAVELIM: Mrs Gopi Ramchandani of Dongorim. NAVELIM: Jose Rebelo Khudov Jose of Cruz Nagar/exAbuDhabi PARRA: Ramesh Janardhan Prabhu Parrikar, freedom fighter AGASSAIM: Francis Xavier Gomes, 1st anniv CUELIM: Heriberto Francisco Maria da Cunha, month's mind. CURTORIM: Ana Clementina Menezes e Coelho Elu LOUTOLIM: Jose Luis de Sa, month's mind MARGAO: Alzira de Piedade Costa e Antao, Pedda. Month's mind. MERCES: Mohiddin A Kammar,
*** Goanet Reader: From stethoscope to keyboard... an expat novel set in the US (Cornel DaCosta)
FROM STETHOSCOPE TO KEYBOARD: AN EXPAT NOVEL SET IN THE U.S. On Thin Ice. A novel by Meena and Gilbert Lawrence Review by Cornel DaCosta [EMAIL PROTECTED] On receiving this novel via the Internet, I enjoyed reading it entirely on my computer screen. This was a novelty for me, but clearly, in the future, similar reading material may be available on paper only if one chooses to generate or obtain a printed copy. From the start, in the novel, we are offered graphic accounts of the snow and ice terrain where the Reddy family spent some of their winter leisure in the region around and beyond the small city of Utica in upper New York State. The outdoor life much enjoyed by the foursome of father, (a doctor by profession), mother, and two teenage sons is explained in considerable detail, especially, their enthusiasm for the sport of ice hockey and their participation in team games against rival local teams. The two sons and the father participate fully and enthusiastically, with strong encouragement from the mother, until such time when reservations are expressed among family members about the wisdom of the father extending himself so vigorously in the highly demanding sport. Following gentle persuasion, Dr Reddy concedes that he ought to consider an alternative sport on ice and is soon drawn towards curling. He engages in this pursuit as intensely as he did in ice hockey and soon masters the finer points of the sport to participate well in local competitions. The novel succeeds in making sport fairly central and pleasurable in the lives of family members. There is an implicit and explicit determination to be thoroughly disciplined in sport as well as in dedication to education and becoming productive citizens in their new country of settlement from their origins in Bombay, India. Sport is therefore, one vehicle through which integration or incorporation into American society is largely accomplished. For a Brit like me, it is fascinating to note the significant importance for many newcomers to the USA to become 'American' as rapidly as possible, quite unlike comparable parallels with the British scene in the UK. Any reader of the novel would clearly note, in my view, the self-appraisal sincerely expressed which seems to say, haven't we been very positive and done well here? However, some reflective analyses within the novel of the advantages and disadvantages of making the immigrant move from India to the USA would clearly not have been amiss. Such a perspective has perhaps been marginally overlooked, even though there are good descriptions of the preparation and consumption of Indian food in the family and in neighbourhood social settings. There is however, an unmistakable message in the novel that, South Asian immigrants to the USA have invariably been industrious and have contributed positively to many aspects of American society. On returning from a vacation recently in British Columbia, Canada, which included an awe-inspiring time in the Rockies, I noted a lot of similarity in BC with the impressive terrain as depicted in On Thin Ice around Utica. Thus, my planned return to British Columbia is likely to be shelved, for now, in favour of a visit to Utica, much closer than the ten-hour flight to British Columbia from the UK. The dimension in the novel relating to Dr Reddy's dedication to his work as an oncologist and his concern for the well-being of his patients reflects commitment to hard work and a personal and family philosophy of resolute endeavour. That this facet is shared positively with the local immigrant and host community is very evident. The novel is also well utilised to advance the lay person's knowledge of cancer generally, how to cope with it and what preventable steps need to be considered in society. In this respect, there is indeed an excellent and valuable medical and social message for all who come across the novel. Clearly, the wise decision to work and live in a small city like Utica helps the Reddy family greatly to engage fully in varied social settings through the use of quality time, which may not have been available in the city of New York itself. I have encountered discussion recently, on the concept of the short novel in the quality press. Increased support appears to be offered to the short story and novel when traditionally the mighty tome has held pride of place in the minds of readers, metaphorically privileging the marathon, or the 1500m, over the 100m. In this sense, from memory, I recall Aida Edemariam arguing persuasively that, in a short novel, every word, every turn, every thought matters and that it's a quality of concentration hard to sustain over a longer novel. Thus, I was able to glean that, if they are good, short stories and novels resonate far beyond their size, as is the case with On Thin Ice. Whilst reading the novel, I did grapple with the question as
*** Goanet Reader: Remembering a forgotten intellectual from yesterday's Goa
REMEMBERING A FORGOTTEN INTELLECTUAL FROM YESTERDAY'S GOA Goa Through the Eyes of Fanchu Loyola by Dr Carmo D'Souza A REVIEW by Joseph Deva [EMAIL PROTECTED] When Fanchu Loyola left for Portugal for good, in the late fifties, he left no trace of himself back in Goa. Since then, or after his death, few academicians have taken up the task of collecting his writings and placing them in a proper socio-historical perspective. The latest to take up such enterprise is Dr Carmo D’Souza, who through is book 'Goa Through the Eyes of Fanchu Loyla' resurrects an intellectual from obscurity. Most writers leave their omnipresent voice in whatever enterprise they undertake. But, in this book, Dr Carmo painstakingly picks up bits and pieces of information, weaves them in proper sequence, giving rise to a figure or a character -- whatever you may call him -- who stands up and speaks for himself. Nowhere the author overshadows the character, who has a total autonomy for propounding his own political and economic philosophies. An interesting and important feature throughout the book is the effective use of irony (by the central character), which at times reaches a romantic proportion. Irony is creating what appears to be a firm picture of something, only to reveal that what was promised in the original is, in fact, quite different. A good example is something like the following: a stage show presents a beautiful woman who sings a tender, seductive song celebrating feminine beauty and then, at the end, abruptly the performer rips off her hair to reveal that she is, in fact, a man, and that the audience is a bunch of idiots to have fallen for the illusion. In this work, irony begins at the very first chapter itself -- dedicating a hard-hitting article to the Governor General of Goa for promulgating an 'oppressive' and 'tyrannical' press law. It is like saying, I still love you', after bashing up some one. The book also teaches a few skills at interpreting law, even an oppressive one at that, to our advantage. The skill that one learns is like the trick of tightening the noose by apparently loosening the rope. As long as the Portuguese ruled Goa, they commemorated the 1510 re-conquest of Goa. Quite unexpectedly the Governor General invited Loyola to deliver the keynote address at the function. There was a danger that he would be misunderstood, or even 'understood'. Either way he could land behind bars. He had to connect what he had been called to speak on and what he wanted to tell the authorities. To achieve this end, he exploits the words, India will speak for herself and for me, written by the dying conqueror Afonso de Albuquerque to his king who had wronged him. By exploiting these words he delivers a scathing blow on the Portuguese rulers, yet without inviting their wrath. For many of us glorifying the memory of conquerors is unacceptable and, for some even, condemnable. In fact, in Goa some diehard nationalists threatened to wreak havoc during the Fontainhas art festival, which they perceived as glorifying the memory of conquerors. And some did manage to destroy some plaques bearing the names of colonizers. But, here is a dove propounding a vision just like Martin Luther King Jr's dream wherein the descendents of the conquered people shaking hands with the descendents of the conquerors, singing the same song of love together. Autonomy is a midway between slavery and independence or rather the penultimate step before independence. No colonies would have rejected autonomy then, leave alone independence. But, here we have a freak rejecting autonomy -- provoking outrage and condemnation not only then but probably now too -- because India did not have the basic training in civic and political skills. (And) the four years of self-government have been bitter and painful... experience... The self-government, instead of improving the economic situation in the colony, has worsened it. (Moreover), under the umbrella of the Legislative Council the ministers abuse the system to line their own pockets. To borrow a phrase from T S Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral, whether King rules or baron rules it does not matter. What actually does matter is how he rules. Do the people benefit from the ruler and are their needs are fulfilled? And, if you thought defection and misbehaviour by elected representatives is a modern trend wait a minute... walk back in time to 1923 and witness the first defection unfolding before you. Of course, someone in today's Goa could well dismiss it as nothing because you have seen much large-scale defections, coups and counter coups. You would also dismiss the assault on a member of the legislative council as insignificant, for haven't we witnessed bloody wars in UP and Bihar legislative assemblies -- not to mention the Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Girish
*** GoanetReader: Goa's panchayats, rich promise... sad reality
BrieFNcounters: GOA's PANCHAYATS, RICH PROMISE... SAD REALITY Tanga-born Soter D'Souza came back home to Goa at the age of 10. Today, the 46 year-old former student of Britto's is a man of many roles. After studying for awhile for the priesthood, he took an unlikely decision to join the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party. But, subsequent to being the BJP secretary of the state Minority Morcha (in 2001-2002), unlike others jumping on the gravy-train, he quit that party when it was at the height of its influence at both the national and state levels. He enjoys photography and does it semi-professionally. Besides that, he takes pride in the sense of 'dignity of labour' instilled in him, and has been delivering newspapers and milk around parts of Porvorim since his school-boy days. But more than his brief honeymoon with politics, Soter has been a long-time campaigner on social issues. Here, he speaks about his very mixed experience with the panchayats, the village-based bodies that are meant, in theory, to give voice to the grassroots across India. Soter was himself part of the Socorro panchayat, an influential-if-controversial body just on the outskirts of Goa's state-capital Panjim, which has seen skyrocketing land values due to the real-estate boom. He quit his panchayat seat two months before its five-year term ended. He did this because basically my presence in the panchayat [and reputation as a campaigner] was being used by the then sarpanch to blackmail builders and extract money. Soter's father was also the sarpanch of Socorro in the mid-eighties. So he brings in an interesting understanding of these village institutions, introduced into post-1961 Goa. On the one hand, they hold the potential for significantly democraticising power -- specially in a state which has been dominated by hierarchies and elites for generations ... and dictatorships for a large part of the 20th century. On the other, the panchayats have been corrupted and stymied so badly, that the cure could be worse than the disease. Excepts of an interview with Frederick Noronha fred at bytesforall dot org - Q: What do you see as the potential of panchayats in today's Goa? - One of the greatest asset in the panchayat raj system is the direct participation of the people in governance, through the gram sabha. Few other systems have such a facility for people to directly participate. - Q: But does this apply to really vital matters? Can the people decide for themselves in reality? - True. When you talk about governance, it should actually be for all matters that concern the lives of the people, living in a particular community, i.e. the village. Therefore, Schedule XI of the Constitution of India gives 29 areas on which panchayats can manage and govern. These areas range from the management of forests to the generation of energy in the area. - Q: But, what's the reality in today's Goa? - Unfortunately, inspite of Goa being one of the most literate states in the country, hardly any responsibilities for these 29 functions have been actually handed over to the panchayats, by the state government. Even in the whole area of construction permissions, which the government claims is one of the big powers for the panchayat, is being monitored by the Town and Country Planning, which is the technical body. Also, in the event of any rejection of any construction permission by the panchayat, finally it is the Director of Panchayats -- a bureaucrat -- who has the power to over-rule the decision of the panchayat. As far as other things go, you have other agencies of the government who are doing the work that should have been done by the panchayats. For example, the Forest Department is doing forest protection and management. You have the Water Resources Department, the District Rural Development Agency, or the newly-formed State Health Society eating into what should have been powers of the panchayat. Then you have the MPLAD (MPs' Local Area Development Scheme) and MLA schemes which do nothing but the same work as the panchayat is supposed to do. All these works that the panchayat undertakes are finally monitored by government bureaucrats. These bureaucrats are directly under the control of some politician -- MLA or minister. If the panchayat body doesn't support that particular politician, then permissions
