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2008 International Goan Convention Goans Have Enriched Canada, Says Mississauga Mayor By Ben Antao Ben Antao is on the Executive of the Goanetters of Toronto, the organizers of the 2008 International Goan Convention In August 1988 when Hazel McCallion attended the inauguration of the first International Goan Convention in Toronto, she said she didn’t know what a Goan was. Today the Mayor of Mississauga, 87, has nothing but praise for Goans. “Goans are hard workers and have enriched Canada by their skills and knowledge; they have given Canada more than we have given them,” she told delegates at the 2008 International Goan Convention at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus. It was the second such convention and Ms McCallion was obviously speaking from her direct experience of interacting with Canadian Goans in her city, which has the largest concentration of Goans of the 10,000 or so spread out in the Greater Toronto Area. The convention was inaugurated by Eduardo Faleiro, the NRI (Non-resident Indians) Commissioner for the state of Goa in India. “The Goan diaspora is spread all over the world and is highly regarded everywhere for their hard work, dedication and respect for law and order,” he said. Faleiro, 68, a former MP and minister of state for external affairs, was present at all the major functions during the four-day convention, including the gala ball. The convention theme was Goan Identity and Networking Today, whose acronym GIANT really summed up the aspirations of Canadian Goans for today and tomorrow. The program was rich in academic content and of high quality. Wendell Rodricks, 48, one of India’s top flight fashion designers, flew from Goa to present a three-day workshop on fashion that was highly educational and exciting, according to those who attended it. He also made a video presentation to a general audience, showing how he uses images of the sea and water and native Goan flowers to create his designs. The color white dominates the celebrated designer’s work. Dean D’Cruz, 49, a well-known architect, who also came from Goa, discussed the environmental issues through a videotape titled “Rape of Goa,” a harrowing documentation prepared by activist Rajan Parrikar of Goa to raise awareness of the degradation of the environment. D’Cruz also spoke about his own work as an architect and how he takes inspiration from nature in his drawings. Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, 82, author of the prize-winning novel Tivolem, drove from New Jersey to give a workshop on the Writer’s Craft, which was well appreciated by more than the dozen people who took it. Ben Antao, 72, journalist and novelist of Toronto, presided at a book launch and readings. He read from his recently published bilingual travelogue titled The lands of Sicily (Le terre di Sicilia), and his novel The Tailor’s Daughter, about a young woman from Nairobi and her dream of rising above her caste station. Photo Edgar Silveira Participating in the book launches and reading from their works were: Marinella Proenca of Calangute, Goa, read from Heart Beat, poems awakening Goan memories.  Cheryl Antao-Xavier of Mississauga read from Dance of the Peacock, a collection of poems of human experience, capturing the trials and angst of people in transition and women in subjugation in the Indian sub-continent. Alex Raphael Fernandes, 63, popularly known in Goa as Alexyz, read from his new book called Goa…Goan…Goaing…Gone…?, a collection of satirical verse and cartoons. An art exhibit of his works was held in a separate room during the three days. Victor Rangel-Ribeiro delighted the audience by reading from Tivolem, a novel set in Goa in the early thirties. There were a Konkani (local language of Goa) workshop for beginners organized by John J. D’Souza of Brampton, and a Goan identity youth workshop given by Christine Pinto of Toronto. Other presentations dwelled on food and identity by Andrea D’Sylva of Halifax, Goan music by Francis Rodrigues, president of the Goanetters Association of Toronto (GNAT), organizers of the convention, and a panel discussion on the Goan diaspora (present and future) moderated by Ben Antao. The issues of Goan identity were also explored in the souvenir titled EKVOTT (Unity), designed and art directed by Rudi Rodrigues of Mississauga and edited by Ben Antao. The daytime sessions were followed by evening entertainment. There was a Goan Idol competition, folk dances by the Mando Mogi group who had come from Margao, Goa, and a Tiatr (play) called Adeus directed Raymond J. Menezes and staged at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. The convention director was Dr. Kevin Saldanha and the events coordinator, Lisette Saldanha.  Edgar Silveira of Montreal photographed the entire convention. The photos are archived on flicker.com under the tag Goan convention. Although about 80 delegates drawn from Australia, the US, the UK, Portugal and Goa registered for the main convention, the evening entertainments attracted over 500 people, with 350 at the Saturday ball. It was an occasion to renew and make friendships, to stay in touch with one’s cultural roots, and to have a good time in the Goan way.

Mr. Eduardo Faleiro's speech at the 2008 International Goan Convention Wed Jul 23 23: 2008 Outline of the Speech by Mr.Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa, delivered at the Inaugration ceremonies of the 2008 International Goan Convention, Toronto, Canada Photo: Edgar Silveira It is a great pleasure and a privilege to participate in this International Goan convention here in Toronto. I am given to understand that it has been well organized and that it is comprehensive. I compliment you for this. We used to hold a Global Goans Convention in Goa every year during the Christmas - New Year vacations. Reasons for discontinuing it in Goa. Last year it was held in Lisbon. this year in Toronto. Next year it may be in another continent. I understand that one of the subjects of this Convention is the question of Goan Identity. This is a very complex subject. Essential elements of a cultural identity are certainly language and soil but it is also moulded by several other features such as religion, history, nationality, etc. National identity is an important element of one's identity. The following are some aspects generally agreed upon. The Indus Valley Civilization (2800-1800BC) was the most advanced urban settlement of the time with well planned streets, drainage system, water supply, etc. I have seen it myself when I visited Mohenjodaro (in present day Pakistan) Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a Frenchman of the 17th century who spent about 40 years travelling on the Silk Road and several others of that time and earlier assert that India was then a country with abundant food resources and great wealth. A study by historian Angus Madisson of the Cambridge University held that India's share of world income was 22.6% in 1700 comparable to entire Europe's share of 23.3% It went down to 3.8% in 1952. Taxation on property and revenue during the colonial rule led to mass impoverishment and destitution of the great majority of farmers. At the time of its Independence, India inherited an economy that was one of the poorest in the world with industrial development stalled, agriculture unable to feed its population, one of the world's lowest life expectancies and a low rate of literacy. Since 1990, India's economy has grown at the rate of around 9%, the highest rate of growth in large economies after China. This has been accompanied by growth in life expectancy, literacy rate and food security. Goldman Sachs and others predict that by 2035, India will be the third largest economy in the world after the USA and China. However India faces the challenge of reducing economic and social inequalities and poverty remains a serious problem though it has declined significantly. It is felt across the world and more so in India itself, that India will meet successfully the present challenges and emerge as a Great Power within the first half of this Century. India like Canada is characterized by linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity yet both are strong nation-states functioning in a system of parliamentary democracy. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, our first Law Minister, whilst piloting the draft of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly in 1948 had pointed out that Canada as well as India had federal Constitutions but also call themselves a Union. Regarding Goa..... In 1956 am eminent Portuguese geographer, Orlando Ribeiro led a team of scholars to study Goan society and submitted a report of his findings to Prime minister Dr Oliveira Salazar. His report stated that Goa was the least Portuguese in its cultural expression even less than Guine-Bissau. It also said that there were cultured persons everywhere in Goa with no trace of rudeness, so common among the rural folk of Portugal. After Independence, there has been great progress particularly in the fields of Education and Health. Substantial advances have also been made in infrastructure development, such as electricity and water supply, roads and other forms of communication. There are still obvious deficiencies in all these areas but the progress is unmistakeable. Major problems have arisen as a result of what maybe called "over development" or unregulated development particularly in the coastline and beaches. Mass tourism and package tourism have transformed the landscape of Goa to the detriment of the local people. Rural areas in the coastal belt often look more like crowded western cities than villages. 1.25 million tourists visit Goa every year whilst the total population of the state is 1.15,illion. Mega construction projects even beyond the coastline have had a negative impact on the lifestyle of the local population. It is perhaps necessary that the local Government should formulate a development strategy which provides employment to the local people whilst being less dependent on tourism. Furthermore, mega buildings which destroy the rural environment in villages should not be permitted. (ENDS)

Award to Msgr. Terence F. D’Souza at 2008 International Goan Convention 2008 Convention Mayor McCallion & Monsignor Terence D’Souza (Click to View Enlarged Image) TALK BY MONSIGNOR TERENCE F. D'SOUZA AT INTERNATIONAL GOAN CONVENTION University of Toronto - Mississauga Campus Wednesday, 23 July 2008 Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, There is a mystique at the very core of the Goan psyche that somehow defies definition. We gain some insight when we consider the events that have marked our history as a community and the individual men and women who have given character to those events through their vision, their courage, and their faith. They are the individuals, who have defied the odds and have stood out in every field of human endeavour as beacons for the generations that followed in the tracks that they made. In Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare penned those immortal words: "Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." We can justifiably be proud of the many Goan men and women, who mark our history having achieved greatness in their own uniue way, and so impacted the future that they were privileged to initiate. Cardinal Valerian Gracias of Bombay, the first Goan Cardinal in history, visited Aden in 1955. Addressing the Goans there he made a remarkable statement when he said: "We cannot give our children the future, strive though we may to make it secure. But we can give them the present." This International Goan Convention, of which Dr. Kevin Saldanha is the driving force, enhances the profound thought of the Cardinal by taking it one step furtuer. It is part of that community endeavour to give our youth an appreciation and recognition of the past to which they can look back with pride and gratitue as they, in their turn, accept the responsibility and challenges of the future. Thousands of Goans have distinguished themselves in various parts of the world, and in every field. We also have a remarkable natural talent for sports, athletics, music, the arts, the theatre, to mention just some fields of involvement. We also have a wonderful ability to adapt even when faced with extreme adverse conditions, as was evident and experienced by many in 1972 with the expulsion from Uganda. I mention now just a limited and arbitrary list of some individuals, who have truly distinguished themselves in their time, expressing that spirit of adventure so characteristic of our Community to move into uncharted territory and leave their mark in the sands of time. My paternal great grandfather, John Baptist D'Souza, was the first Goan to come to Karachi in 1850. I did a lot of research into my family, and was amazed at the thrust of the past. It made me reflect upon our own present thrust that is now of vital importance if we are to impact our future as a people. An example of this is borne out in the fact that, in 1913, the City of Karachi named a street, "Pedro D'Souza Road", after my paternal grandfather, Pedro D'Souza, in recognition of his personal contribution to the civic life of the City. In 1999, the City of Mississauga named a street after me, "Father D'Souza Drive" to recognize my own contribution to the City. This street is located along the south side of St. Francis Xavier Church. In the late 19th century, the Goan community in Karachi was very vibrant. One from that community, D. X. Menezes, was the first Goan to arrive in Mombasa from Karachi in 1894. In 1899, the legendary Dr. Rozendo Ribeiro arrived in Mombasa, but moved on to settle in Nairobi, to become that city's first medical practitioner. In 1902, he successfully diagnosed the then little-known bubonic plague, and was largely responsible for the prevention of the epidemic that otherwise might have ensued. Aware that progress can only come with education, he was instrumental in setting up the Dr. Ribeiro Goan School, whose many alumni won distinction around the world. Frank and Virgie DeSouza, of fond memory, were the first Goan couple to tie the know in Entebbe in 1942. Two of my cousins, Michael Barretto and Philip D'Silva, were the first Goans to come to Toronto in 1952 from Karachi. Desmond Rodrigues of Kent in the United Kingdom was the first Goan pilot to fly the supersonic Concorde. Lester J. DaCosta was the first Goan lawyer in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He also had the rare distinction of being the first Goan to be called to the U.S. Supreme Court. Fred D'Silva, another cousin of mine, by dint of hard work and the determination to succeed in this country of adoption, had the satisfaction to see his construction company become the tenth larges in Canada with over a billion dollars in construction. Ladis DaSilva of Tanzania was an artist and an author of rare quality. His book, The Americanization of Goans is a must-read. Then there is the little known fact that needs to be mentioned. P.I.M. Fernandes had the distinct honour of being the chef to then Princess Elizabeth during her brief visit to Kenya in 1952. It was on that visit that George VI died and she assumed the Monarchy as Queen Elizabeth II. In all this, we can never overlook the unique accomplishment of a remarkable Goan lady, Zulema DeSouza, then President of the Goan Overseas Association, whose breath-taking vision gave her the courage to spearhead and organize the historic First International Goan Convention, in the summer of 1988, exactly twenty years ago. I have the privilege of being the Founding Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church located in the City of Mississauga. It is acknowledged as being the largest parish in Canada, and one of the most vibrant. This phenomenon won papal recognition. In 2004, Pope John Paul II appointed me Chaplain to His Holiness with the title "Monsignor". As a result, I have the unique distinction of being the only Goan Monsignor in Canada. It was Winston Churchill who said: "Those who can see the furthest into the past can look the furthest into the future." It is therefore good for us to have chosen to reflect on our own past, in order to understand the spirit that has animated so many over the years to make us what we are today, so that our youth,imbued with this collective wisdom, may now, in their turn, carry that vision into the future. Achievement is accomplishing something worthwhile and feeling good about it. Success is when someone else recognizes and acknowledges that achievement. In accepting this Award, I thank you for your recognition and acknowledgement of my achievements. Thank you. Monsignor Terence F. D'Souza, C.H.H. Flash back 1988 International Goan Convention 1988 Convention Mass Celebrant, the late Cardinal Cordeiro, Archbishop of Karachi, with Fr. Terence D'Souza & Mayor of Mississauga, Mrs. Hazel McCallion See photos of 1988 Convention : http://goacom.com/community/associations/goaont/convention/photos9.htm

Goan Convention offers connection to culture 2008-07-24 22:- Mississauga News Flora Almeida Marlow, who hails from Goa, a state in India, travelled all the way from Montreal to Mississauga in search of all things Goan. Almeida Marlow, who was was in town with her family hoped, to take in various activities at the 2008 International Goan Convention today. The event runs until Sunday at venues in and around Mississauga, including the University of Toronto - Mississauga and the Living Arts Centre. The convention includes networking opportunities, theatre performances, cultural and musical evening, workshops and other activities. The Montreal mother said even though her two daughters, Shannon, 13, and Fiona, 14, don't speak Konkani, the native language, she makes sure they remain connected to the culture. The Almeida Marlow family loves the cuisine and other art and dance forms of Goa. “My daughters who have been raised in Montreal, Quebec don't have too many opportunities to learn about the rich history and heritage of Goa,” Almeida Marlow said. “I think it is important for the younger generation to learn and this is a great way to do so.” Tonight's musical evening at the University of Toronto - Mississauga campus included performances of a traditional dance - Mando Mogi — and a 'Goa Idol' competition for aspiring singers. Francis Rodrigues, president of Goanetters Association of Toronto (GNAT), said a three-week international convention hosted in Toronto 20 years ago was an unqualified success, so organizers of this year's event decided to replicate some of events again. “Many second and third generation Goans living in Canada have lost in touch with their culture,” Rodrigues said. “This is an opportunity for them to get in touch, hear the native language and relive their culture again.” GNAT came into existence a year ago as a result of an online mailing group comprising of more than 1,200 Goans worldwide. rpanjwani@mississauga.net

The Goan Convention In Silicon Valley http://www.goanconvention.com Excerpt: The Goan community in the Silicon Valley of California proudly announces the convention was a successful three day event with a record registration of 297 people. We thank our sponsors for their generous support and the attendees for their whole-hearted participation! According to many, this convention by far had the largest participation of the younger generation, with 26% of the attendees under 30 years of age. In that regard, we succeeded in our goal of attracting the younger generation in large numbers to this convention. We hope future conventions will attract even more younger attendees! We were honored by the presence of our Chief Guest, Shri Manoharbab Parrikar, on all three days. He delivered a very eloquent keynote speech and provided thoughtful answers to a variety of questions from the audience. We presented a laser etched crystal glass plaque to Shri Manoharbab as a small token of appreciation and memento to cherish the convention's memories. We are very pleased to annouce that the next Goan Convention in 2010 will be hosted by Vaishali Sawant, daughter of Nyaneshwar Sawant, from Edison, New Jersey. That is like the baton being handed over from the older to the new younger generation. A great accomplishment indeed! We applaud Vaishali and wish her success in her efforts! days. See also: http://www.konkanisammelan.org/2008/schedule.asp

Goan Festival celebrated in UK Ashuntha Pereira, Gantalkatte http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=86557 London, July 29, 2008: July 27 was a remarkable day for the Goans in the United Kingdom. Goans from across the country, come together to express and experience their culture and heritage during GOAN FESTIVAL. The umbrella called SCOGO (Standing Conference of Goan Organisations) that was led by Goan Association UK which saw the coming together of various Goan Cultural Bodies and Village Associations to have a day set aside to celebrate in the UK the meaning of all GOAN things. For more pics go to: http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=86557

Developing Countries Sustain Growth In The World Economy Conference Board of Canada OTTAWA, July 30 /CNW Telbec/ - Thanks to the strong performance of many emerging markets in Asia and Latin America, the global economy is showing resilience in the face of the slowdown in the United States, Japan and Europe, according to the Conference Board's World Outlook - Summer 2008. "Growth in the world economy has slowed from its pace of a few months ago, but the weakness has been largely confined to the United States and Europe," said Kip Beckman, Principal Research Associate. "Developing countries, especially those in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, have sustained their strong growth rates in part through trade diversification away from dependence on the struggling U.S economy. "However, rising food and fuel costs are turning inflation into a fact of life in both developing and developed countries." Despite inflationary pressures, some central banks are reluctant to increase interest rates. Interest rates remain low in the United States for instance, because the Federal Reserve does not want to do more damage to the fragile housing market. In developing economies, higher interest rates would put upward pressure on exchange rates and make exports less competitive. The world economy is expected to grow by 2.8 per cent in 2008. Latin America, which will grow by 4.4 per cent this year, is less dependent on the fortunes of the U.S. economy than it has been in the past, due in large part to its trade diversification and growing domestic markets. In the Asia-Pacific region, while real gross domestic product (GDP) growth will be a solid 4.7 per cent this year, rising inflation poses a serious downside risk.

Canada Curtsies To Papua New Guinea Dance Troupe Wednesday, July 30, 2008 CBC News The case made headlines after a Papua New Guinea legislator, Malcolm Smith-Kela, threatened to retaliate by denying Canadian gas and mining companies access to their country's resources and vowing to raise the issue at the United Nations. Quote: "[The Canadian Immigration agents] seemed, in my mind, somewhat arrogant,]" Comment by : Sheila posted on http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=be11bd4a-5683-4b3a Tue, Jul 22, 08 at 02:00 AM Are we becoming more american than the americans. I would love to believe that someone had more information than we are being given in this news article. Having said that, in my heart and using my common sense and knowledge about power mongers I have to believe that this is a shameful incident and that the ban should come off and that Canada needs to come up with the money to have the dancers return. Shame on the person (s) responsible for this Canada's immigration department has overturned a decision to block the entry of a Papua New Guinea dance troupe following weeks of diplomatic wrangling that included threats of political retaliation from the Pacific country. Eight young dancers were interrogated for several hours and then sent home after they arrived in Vancouver on July 4 for a cultural exchange with a First Nations community in the British Columbia Interior. The case made headlines after a Papua New Guinea legislator, Malcolm Smith-Kela, threatened to retaliate by denying Canadian gas and mining companies access to their country's resources and vowing to raise the issue at the United Nations. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare also sent a written complaint to his Canadian counterpart, Stephen Harper, said Smith-Kela. "When this situation came to Citizenship and Immigration's attention, Citizenship and Immigration and Canadian Border Services Agency took action to resolve this case and make sure [the dancers] made it here," said immigration department spokeswoman Danielle Norris. The troupe is now scheduled to arrive in Vancouver on Friday. According to Smith-Kela, Canada Border Services agents had the mistaken idea that the dancers were coming as cheap labour. The dancers were planning to spend four weeks sharing traditional storytelling, dance and music at the invitation of the Little Shuswap Indian Band, located about 60 kilometres northeast of Kamloops. Gary Demosky, who was chaperoning the dancers through the airport, said border security agents didn't appear interested in listening and had trouble understanding them since there was no translator. "[The agents] seemed, in my mind, somewhat arrogant," said Demosky, who lives in Chase, B.C., and was also interrogated that day. Demosky said Papua New Guineans are traditionally a culturally deferent people, answering yes to everything — including when the dancers were questioned about coming to Canada to work as cheap labour. Liberal Public Safety critic Ujjal Dosanjh said the government should explain what happened and what prompted the decision's reversal. "The government should be absolutely transparent and open, [and] tell Canadians why they have now changed their mind," said Dosanjh, MP for the Vancouver South riding. He said the dance troupe is lucky that unlike other foreigners turned away, they have donors like Vancouver-based LNG Energy on its side. The company has liquefied natural gas interests in Papua New Guinea and is footing the bill to bring the troupe back to Canada.

UAE Opens For Visitors Of All Nationalities http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3273419,prtpage-1.cms 24 Jul 2008, 1254 hrs IST,PTI DUBAI: The UAE will allow visitors of all nationalities to enter the country on a tourist visa under the new rules that come into effect next week. At present, nationals from 79 countries including India, other countries of the Indian subcontinent and Middle East, are not eligible for tourist visas. They only have access to a visit visa. "The new rules will encourage the tourism sector in the country," Major-General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), told a press conference here. The new rules, which require visa applicants to pay a Dh 1,000 deposit (1 USD=3.67 Dh) and also obtain health insurance, will come into force on July 29. According to Al Merri, travel agencies will no longer be allowed to apply for visit visas.  "Now these companies will only be allowed to apply for tourist visas. This will regulate business and make the process of travelling to the UAE easier and smooth," he said. Al Merri said individuals can no longer apply for tourist visas and should apply only through licensed tourism agencies and hotels.  The process of taking short trips to Iran, Oman or other neighbouring countries to change visit visas has also been stopped. At present, many people go to these places and then return to the UAE on a visit visa. "People wanting to apply for a new visit visa after the expiry of their visa must go back to their home countries or distant countries," he said.  Meanwhile, visitors to Dubai, who are nationals of a selected 33 countries, including UK, America and Australia, are still provided visas on arrival. Their visas will now be for 30 days instead of the previous 60 day limit.