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| Awards ceremony. |
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| Bewitched cafe |
- Brian Mendonca
I knew there was a different route to Rosary College, Navelim. As I drove into Margao city at peak hour at 8.50 a.m. today, I thought I should have taken the Arlem bypass from Nuvem. The traffic inched on and I settled into what I thought was a bad decision. I needed to be at the college by 9.
The day unwinded with a number of research presentations by students and faculty who competed for the best paper at the annual research paper presentation competition. The beauty of being a judge at these events is that you learn so much.
There was Manga; Dalit theatre; folktales; Foucault; and LGBTQ. Film was represented by Fight Club (1999). Insightful perspectives were offered in what is now known as health humanities. Kafka, Sartre, the Little Prince - they were all there.
What was admirable was the dexterity with which the presenters weaved their arguments. It is not easy to compress a research paper in 8 minutes.
Old texts came back like old friends: The Great Gatsby, Evam Indrajit, Look Back in Anger, and the pomegranate queen.
Prof. Helic Barretto, Principal of the college stressed the importance of doing research consistently. Given the tight seminar format usually, ''You must be able to present your research paper in 3 minutes,' he advised the young researchers.
Dr. Surabhi Gore, Assistant Professor, Department of BBA (Travel and Tourism), who was the coordinator of the event, saw to the details and made us feel welcome.
The rigorous session wound up just after 3 pm, but not before the judges were served a delicious bangda (mackerel) thali - which was almost leaping out of my plate.
On the way back I stepped in to Jackris on the main road - as is my wont. I also discovered a new pastry place opposite called Bewitched. As I steadied my phone to take a shot, I hoped no cars or bikes would buzz by. I loved the Mangalore-tiled roof of what seemed to be an old house repurposed to meet present needs. Sitting at the kerb at a busy intersection it proclaimed defiance to those who had no time 'to stand and stare.' I came away with a ham and cheese croissant.
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