A recap of the several, interesting events at the recently held
daylong International Goan Convention in Panjim

"GOANS in Goa are very successful. So also we have Goans who have carved a niche themselves outside Goa and the world over. This International Goan Convention is a grand opportunity to bridge a gap of difference, if any, in the perspectives of the two sections of Goans, and ponder why how the world perceives Goans with so much respect and admiration among other Indians," announced Ryan de Souza, the smart mood-setter at the very start of the Goan International Convention, comanised by World Wide Goans in collaboration with the Institute Menezes Braganza, on December 30, 2000, in Panjim.

The convenor, Aires Rodrigues, ushered in the chief guest, India's former super cop and former Ambassador to Romania, Julio Ribeiro, the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, and other distinguished guests, in the packed hall. The convention was attended by 570 registered delegates, of whom 270 were from outside Goa, including expatriates. For once, Goans seemed to have overlooked their caste and creed differences and felt that they were fortunate to be among the larger Konkani flock, assembled and listen to the views of various sections of Goans, some specific problems they face and about probable solutions to the problems.

Quite symbolically, the convention took off on a patriotic as well musical note, with Newton D'Souza and Milton Vaz rendering Spain-based Basilio Magno's special Goan song "Proud to be a Goan". In memory of the young, departed musicians--Selwyn Menezes, Dharmendra Hirve and Victor Alvares--who died in a tragic accident recently in Kanpur, silence was observed for one minute before the commencement of music. It was followed by Hongkong-based Evans Mendonca singing another relevant number "Three Wishes".

"I have a Dream", a poem penned by Anita Pinto was recited by a group of children hailing from different communities, followed by Vee-am and Raisa Branganza of Mapusa regaling the avid audience with some Konkani hits.

Gecome Pinto, the President of the Goan Institute, San Francisco, and his wife Harriet Ferens Pinto released a special Goa book, entitled "Of Umbrellas, Goddesses and Dreams: Essays on Goan Culture and Society", written by Robert S. Newman, and published by the Other India Publishers. Claude Alvares of OIP remarked that "this was too good an occasion to miss when all the Goans will be here" for the release of the book.

DEMAND FOR NRI CELL

The out-going Convenor of World Wide Goans Aires Rodrigues, in his welcome Address, made a passionate plea to the government of Goa to set up an NRI cell. Aires Rodrigues said, "Goans across the world can contribute to the betterment of Goa. The Goan NRIs, across the world, have time and again pleaded with the government of Goa that an NRI cell be established in Goa. The governments of Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra have shown the way and the NRI cells have been set up in those States."

He exhorted the Chief Minister "to set up the cell on a priority basis so that it facilitates the solution of the problems the NRIs have across the world." He recalled how the government of Goa was ignorant of the number of Goans in the Gulf, when the war erupted in Kuwait a decade ago. While making a passing reference to computerisation, he suggested that the government should provide one computer to each panchayat, so that people from Canacona to Pernem are "able to access the information" which is available on the internet.

While pleading with the overseas Goans to contribute towards the betterment of their motherland by parting with their skills, he said, "We should also realise that we are first Indians and then Goans. Just the way we have a right to settle anywhere in the world, anyone from across India or anywhere in the world should have the right to come and settle in Goa", referring to the issue Goa for Goans.

PAPERS RELEASED

The three significant papers released on the occasion were: "Rekindling the Spirit of Inquiry in the New Millennium" by Santosh Helekar; "Goan Identity: One, Many or None" by Dr Teotonio de Souza from Portugal; and "Goan Heritage and its Influence on Child Development in the Western Society" by Dr Dileep Sanvordekar from the US.

ABOUT GOANS

Following the lighting of the traditional lamp at the day-long convention by Julio Ribeiro, Manohar Parrikar, and the other important guests seated on the dais, Srinivas V S Dempo, the chairman of the Dempo Group of companies, addressed the large gathering. He said that whenever he goes abroad, for business or otherwise, he makes it a point to meet Goans there and to elicit their views on Goa.

"The best part is that they (Goans) are self-made and have risen to the heights of their achievements by virtue of their hard work and intelligence. There's no field, that I can think of, in which Goans have not excelled abroad. They have achieved prominence in business, profession and even politics…A Goan is a minister in the British government." He said that most of the NRIs don't opt to make investments in Goa for their own valid reasons and appealed to the government to take adequate measures to dispel their doubts and fears. He suggested that the NRIs could invest in the sunrise industries-information technology, healthcare, education, food-processing and horticulture. He concluded by appealing to Goans abroad to invest in their own motherland and be partners in its progress.

NRI CELL POSSIBLE

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar addressing the Convention reassured the audience that his government has no objection to the setting up of the NRI cell if the World Wide Goans could come up with a person, who is capable and ready to head it. Alluding to Anita Pinto's poem "I have a Dream", Parrikar said, "Without a dream you don't have a vision".

Referring to Aires Rodrigues' observation about attitude change among Goans towards the changing demography, he said, "The type of industrialisation, which we have been doing in the State in the last couple of decades, is definitely changing the pattern of the State. Konknni somzonam, oxeo area Goeanui develop zavpak lagleat. (Several non-Konkani areas are emerging in Goa.) Hate is not the solution to it, but right policies are the solution, and that is where you come in the picture because there is a requirement of positive industries in the State, like the knowledge-based I T industry."

Said the Chief Minister, "We can definitely create a cell but creating a cell does not solve the problem. What you require is a man behind the cell. So if Aires Rodrigues can get a man, I can give all the support he requires."

He took the opportunity to reiterate his aversion to foreign funding for conservation of heritage monuments. "I am proud of my heritage, whether it is Hindu heritage or Catholic heritage…If it is an old church, old mosque, it is mine, and when it belongs to me, I should be proud to spend from my own pocket. Would you like your house to be repaired by your neighbour? I believe that the State is rich enough. Let us drop some foreign trips, let us drop some unwanted expenditure. We are ready for it. I am not against Fundacao Oriente per se because they are spending money; there a lot of other things they can do with that money in Goa. It is not that because they are Portuguese I am against them but I don't want someone else supporting my issues of pride. From what I see, we have lost that pride and until that pride comes back to the State and the country, I do not think we can make any real progress." He added, "When I became a chief minister, I decided that none of my policies will be depend on my next election."

THE SUPERCOP'S SAY

Alexyz, the daily cartoonist, presented a caricature to Julio Ribeiro, when he came up to the podium to address the convention. Ribeiro remarked that "the cap on the head is very small". Alexyz, of course, had a point to make. "The glass on the frame is cracked" while in transit and walked up to Parrikar and appealed to him to give a thought to the potholes on the Goan roads.

The Chief Guest, Supercop Julio Ribeiro, former Indian Ambassador to Romania pleaded for the eradication of corruption, which has infested the very core of our society. Ribeiro said that people should expect less from the government and find their own way to be self-reliant in fighting social evils.

"I like his emphasis on self-esteem," Julio Ribeiro said referring to the Chief Minister's speech.

About overseas Goans, Ribeiro said that young Goans "should be encouraged to accompany their parents to see for themselves how their forefathers lived, worked and behaved in the society, in which they were living. Perhaps some spark could ignite in the recesses of their innermost self to move them to contribute materially or intellectually towards the betterment of the living traditions."

"Goa could have been a model State today. In such a tiny State they do not require more than a handful of bureaucrats to ensure the development of the state's economy and the welfare of its people. But today I think it is top heavy with most of bureaucrats left without work to do." "I think that the first step that Mr Parrikar should take is not to succumb to the pressures from his party colleagues and supporters for the transfers and appointment of government officials."

He advised the NRI fraternity, "Keep in touch with your mother-country, its politics, its economic situation, the social conditions, in India as a whole and Goa in particular. Do not fcomet the country of your birth or in which your parents were born. If you wish to contribute to the improvement of your own village, for instance, do not hesitate to do so."

THE VICE CHANCELLOR'S ADDRESS

Presiding over the inaugural function the Vice Chancellor of Goa University, B.S Sonde, said that the Institute Menezes Braganza is a very important institution and has been steeped in history. Calling it "a very important convention", Sonde said, "I am very glad that history is being made in this hall today by having together all the Goan expatriates, who have come here in large numbers."

The Vice Chancellor also hoped that a decision will be taken to take the development of the State forward with the support of the international Goan comanisations. He expected co-operation from all for the 15-year-old University of Goa, to make it "a leading centre of higher education. We are committed to provide a high standard of education and also to create opportunities for researchers, consultants, entrepreneurs, etc." Chandrakant Keni presented a traditional diuli and a set of the Institute's publications to the guests on the dais.

THE PRESENTATIONS

Tony Cordeiro, President of the Goan Welfare Society-Kuwait and Wilson Coelho made a presentation on issues facing NRI's in the Gulf which was moderated by Tony Correia Afonso. A discussion on Goa's environment was spearheaded by Ligia Noronha of the Tata Energy Research Centre and the discussion was moderated by Averthanus D'Sousa. Peter R D'Sousa of the Department of Political Science, Goa University, led a discussion on Goa's State of affairs and it was moderated by M.S Kamat.

"Goa could have been Different if Goans were not Indifferent" was a discussion led by Rev Fr Romuald D' Souza, S.J Director, Goa Institute of Management. It was moderated by Kiran Budkuley, who said, "If this were an international Telugu convention it would have not been conducted in English."

Referring to Fr D'Souza's presentation, Ms Budkuley said, "He has ministered to something which we have kept under check for a long time-our psyche. He has made us ask ourselves a question 'What are we doing about our education?' "We are very illustrious people when we reach out and do something. We are like luminaries, bright stars, but sometimes we tend to overlook the nucleus at our core. And if we ignore that, the stars may finally diffuse and there may be only a black hole left sucking into it all the light.

VISIONS FOR GOA

"A Vision on Goa", was an excellent presentation by Gecome Pinto, President Goan Institute San Francisco. Pinto took on the task of motivating the World Wide Goans to perceive a change in the way of thinking, so as to bring about a future with a difference.

The presentation was moderated by advocate Uday Bhembre, who said, "His visions are based on his feelings and thoughts about Goa." One person from the audience wondered whether Konknni, as a medium of instruction, could be kept in suspended animation, for a while as it affects the education of our children. At this Bhembre said, "Those Goans, knowing very well that their mother-tongue is Konknni, say that it is Marathi, and those Goans inspite of knowing Konknni, feel ashamed to talk in Konknni, are keeping it in suspended animation."

He said that "so far only some Goan Hindus were talking Marathi but now people have come forward to say that even Kannada should be the official language of Goa. "Tomorrow Tamilians and Bhaiyyas from U P may clamour for the inclusion of their languages as the official languages of Goa", Bhembre added.

"Problem khuim assa? Problem Goemkar, te nhoi. Jea environment-an Gecome bab ravta and tea environment-antlean to jem Goemchem vision polloita, temch vision mhojean Goemche bhuimcher ravon asot mhunnon sangunk zaina. Amerikek ravtelea second generation Goemkarachem vision ek assoeta, Gulf-ak ravon, aple familik Goem dovrun, tachem dusrem vision assoeta, anim amim je amchem jivit Goeant jietat tanchem vision dusre bhaxen assoeta. Punn him soglim visions kednaim tori converge zaunvchim poddttolim. Amchem, soglleam Goemkaranchem, dhorm-zat sogllem kuxin dovrun, ek vision aschem poddtelem. Aiche, Goemche, choddxe proxnn uprasleat te amchea political, social, industrial, soglleam fieldam vhoilea leader-ank vision naxil'lem dekhun. Tea leader-ank vision naxil'lem, amkam lokak vision naxil'lem dekhun."

NEW COMMITTEE

The International Goan Convention also unanimously elected a new committee for World Wide Goans. The new committee, which will hold office from January 1, 2001 to December 30, 2002, comprises of Benaulim-based Tony Correia- Afonso as President, Suman Kurade and Gecome Pinto as Vice-Presidents, Joel D'Souza as Secretary and Maria Elena Machado as the Treasurer. The process of constituting sub-committee of regional representatives was also started and will be completed by the above new committee. Damodar Mauzo was the returning officer.

RESULTS AND AWARDS

The various awards and prizes of the computer events held by the Computer Society of India-Goa Chapter for schools in Goa, were distributed by the chief guest, Julio Ribeiro, including the prestigious Goacom-CSI Award. The results of the Poster Contest on "Changing Face of Goa" comanised by World Wide Goans were also announced on the occasion. J P Cotta from the UK had gone about meticulously to set up the contest.

THE RESOLUTION

Said Eddie Fernandes, from the UK, "The main resolution, the main concern of NRI Goans has been the setting up of the NRI cell in Goa and we have the agreement of Mr Manohar Parrikar, the chief minister of Goa, regarding the setting up of the NRI cell." The Convention unanimously passed a resolution urging the government of Goa to set up an NRI cell.

VOTE OF THANKS

Chandrakant Keni, the Vice Chairman of Institute Menezes Braganza, in his vote of thanks said that Aires Rodrigues was the dynamic mover of the World Wide Goans. Aires realised that Goans may go anywhere in the world but they will not fcomet his roots in the home soil. Similarly, when Goans return to their homeland after a long absence, they long to have a word with their people here but find that everyone is preoccupied in his own work.

Said Keni in Konkani, "They (NRIs) have knowledge, funds and science and technology, besides their love of Goa. They feel that their children should know their roots and if a generation goes without this knowledge, the ties with their motherland may be snapped for ever. Goans in Goa wish that their children should be well educated, and Goans overseas can help them in this respect. The World Wide Goans could help fcome the unity of these two sections for their mutual benefit."

BEYOND SERIOUS MATTERS

It wasn't a convention with merely a lot of talks. Music and entertainment too was woven in the programme, without breaking the underlying tone of the event. There was a sumptious lunch, free of cost. If any delegate got tired listening, he or she could walk to the adjacent gallery, where an interesting exhibition "Goa Today", reflecting the creative talent of Goans, was co-ordinated by famed Cartoonist Alexyz.

Besides, artists, photographers and NGOs, various entrepreneurs scrambled up for the limited space to put up stalls, displaying their products and services. Of course, the stall that drew a lot of attraction was the Quickfood Goan products of Nerul's Nita Gonsalves. The Other India Bookstore had a large number of books for sale.

WHAT'S AHEAD?

When will the next event turn up? Would the World Wide Goans wait until the end of the year or go about setting up an international forum mutually beneficial to NRIs and Goans living in Goa? Several proposals and suggestions have been received. With Aires Rodrigues at the helm of affairs and with internet making communications convenient, the situation was congenial during the just held convention. Every speaker and a lot of delegates praised Aires for its grand success. All sections of the greater Goan community-the diaspora-had gathered and went away with a feeling that they had witnessed an interesting interaction. Of course, the NRIs also gave the impression that they are aware that Goans in Goa, though lacking in avenues, don't really lack in knowledge about what's good for them.

Joel D'Souza