Draft of editorial policy for "Gajalee"

My dear readers,

As promised on 24th June 2010, here is the draft of the editorial policy for this blog "Gajalee", as drafted by Anil Sawant and sent to me through India Post:

1. The subject matter of the article needs to be based on facts; upon an individual, incident or place; and should have been directly experienced by the author.

2. The article may be based on ordinary, simple people and places, but possessing peculiarities of human interest. (Celebrities and famous places may be excluded, please.)

3. The author is requested to consciously place himself or herself in the background, or in the shoes of the "Common Person", and tell us what he or she has to say. Neither should the author's opinions appear in the narration nor should the article be judgemental.

4. A dash of very subtle humour is an essential ingredient. However, an effort may also be made to reach the heart of the reader.

5. The article need not transmit any message to the readers, who may be left to derive their own conclusions.

6. The identity of the subject of the article may be suitably masked or sufficiently hidden, to avoid any embarrassment.

7. The article may be brief. I suggest: not more than 800 words.

*****

Using Anil Sawant's draft as a starting point, readers and likely authors are welcome to send in their suggestions for this editorial policy.

Just in case the title, "Gajalee", for this blog was not easy, here are some other titles, suggested by Anil Sawant, that you may want to consider and vote upon:

1. Click Past

2. Rear-View Mirror

3. Foot Prints

4. Oyster Un-clammed

5. Tell Tale

6. Treasure Trove

These crisp titles may also be used as sub-titles, since they convey the spirit that animates this blog and spells out its purpose.

Your support is our strength.

Peace and love,
- Joe Pinto.

Wednesday, 22 September 2010, Pune, India.

A loving gift to my friend, Anil Sawant

My dear readers,

I start this blog, today, Thursday, 24th June 2010, as a loving gift to my dear and close friend -- the amateur writer, Anil Sawant.

We discovered his passion for writing, while we were working together in a Pune company. Its internal newsletter "MSMT" was the unlikeliest of places for our literary friendship to begin, develop and flourish.

When I ran through "Blogger", looking to see if the title "Gajalee" had been taken, I was surprised that none of the lakhs of Konkani speakers had yet pounced upon the word. I am thrilled for Anil that the word -- "Gajalee" -- he chose for his column in MSMT now adorns a blog in his name.

I invite Anil to inaugurate this blog, by uploading his writings here. And I promise him that I will be honoured to edit his pieces (and others to come) with the same care and love that I bestowed on him in MSMT.

In time, Anil will agree, this blog will and should become a show-case for deserving amateur writers in India. I request Anil to draft the editorial policy that should guide this blog.

Your support is our strength (Thanks! Sushma Nair, nee Menon),

Yours sincerely,

Peace and love,
- Joe.

Thursday, 24th June 2010, Pune, India.