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World
Alliance of Goan Overseas Association (WAGOA) Inaugural Meet
In Goa
Excerpts from files by Cyril
D’Cunha & Antonio Mascarenhas
“You can take a Goan out of Goa but it will be difficult to
take Goa out of a Goan,” said Tony Colaco, the General
Secretary, World Alliance, and President of the Goan
Overseas Association in Sydney, Australia, pretty much
summing up the essence of the theme "We still call Goa
home", for the inaugural "Non-Resident Goans Reunion Nite"
held at the Mandovi Riviera, Panaji, on January 19 , 2008
Colaco explained that World Alliance of Goan Overseas
Association (WAGOA) was an umbrella body of Goan
Associations worldwide, whose endeavour was to bring
together overseas Goans to speak with one voice and unity
and "Be proud to be Goans".
This informal event in Goa, the first, would also allow all
resident Goans and NRI Goans to share their concerns on
various issues like land or ancestral property held by them
in the state. He revealed that bank investments by overseas
Goans here were pretty high, at the same time expressing his
desire to see a sustainable growth of Goa, where greenery,
which is the lung of the state, is not affected. He also
urged the authorities to make the GOAs all over the globe,
aware of the products and land here, to help make Goa an
economically viable state.
WAGOA, in association with Indology Goa and Freedom
Holidays, Goa, will announce their worldwide campaign to
promote Goan Culture and Culinary Art during this meet, as
also organise week-long Goa Festivals at different venues
all over the world during the year with support of Goan
Associations of the respective countries. Anjali Rao of
Indology Goa said that authentic Goan food will be served at
these festivals. A Goan Youth Day would be held in Sydney
some time in July/August this year, it was revealed.
Meanwhile, to spread Konkani language among the uninitiated
in Australia, MelGoans from Melbourne, are publishing a
magazine ’Gosali’, which translates English words to
Konkani, to help the readers.
The organisers of the ’Reunion Nite’ on January 19, included
Antonio Mascarenhas (Canada), Benito D’Souza (UK), Rene
Barreto (UK) and Vivian D’Souza (USA). About more than 500
NRGs attended the event, with the NRI Commissioner Eduardo
Faleiro as the Chief Guest and Chief Secretary J.P. Singh as
the Guest of Honour. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat also
attended.
Surplus funds raised at this function will be donated to
Goan charities involved in humanitarian services, stated the
organisers. For tickets phone 2277418 or 2416042.
Global Non-Resident
Goans Reunion Goa 2008
BY: Dr. Melanie Lopes,Chiropactor(Canada)
It has been
10 years since I last visited Goa, and I was pleasantly
surprised when I arrived on January 19, 2008! Even though I
was jet lagged from my flight from Toronto, I was ready to
attend the inaugural “Global Non-Resident Goans Reunion Goa
2008” presented by the World Alliance of Goan Overseas
Associations.
Mr. Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner
for
NRI Goa with Antonio Mascarenhas and Tony Colaco.
The event
took place in the evening alongside the Mandovi River (Panjim,
Goa). It was a beautiful evening, sitting outside in the
pleasant weather and elaborate lighting of the “Mandovi
Riviera”. Approximately over 450 people attended from
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England, U.S.A, Middle East,
Switzerland, and from many other countries all around the
world.
The night included a lavish buffet dinner that included free
drinks all night long, which kept me stuffed! I was able to
dance it all off with the help of 2 wonderful bands,
“Forefront” and “Shelton Goes Solo”. There was non-stop
entertainment with Goan folk dancing as an interlude between
bands. Many went home with prizes including, flights to Sri
Lanka and Bombay, as well as hotel accommodations in Goa.
The night was topped off with the presence of the
Commissioner of NRI Affairs of Goa, Eduardo Faleiro.
Dancing alongside the Mandovi River, eating delicious food,
and meeting long lost friends and family, you couldn’t ask
for anything more! The event was well organized under the
main co-ordinator Antonio Mascarenhas (Canada), along with
other committee members, Rene Bareto (United Kingdom),
Vivian D’Souza (U.S.A.), and Tony Colaco (Australia).
The night was a lot of fun, that I did not feel jet lagged!
Being the first ever global Goan reunion, the night was a
great success. For those who travelled from abroad, it was a
perfect mix of a holiday in Goa, along with reuniting with
Goans from around the world. I hope that is the first of
many reunions planned for many years to come! |
