Clarion call to assert Goan identity, culture

PANAJI: Asserting Goan solidarity was the overriding message on the first day of the Global Goans Convention 2011 in London.
The fifth edition of the convention organised by the Goan Association (UK) under the patronage of the Indian High Commission in London was attended by Goan expatriates not only from UK and Europe, but also from the continents of Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
The convention saw hundreds of Goans turn out to hear speeches from commissioner for NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro, who represented the Goa government; Valerie Vaz, Labour MP for Walsall South (UK) and the Indian High Commission's consular affairs minister Amitabh Mathur amongst others.
The dignitaries along with councillor Rabi Martins from Watford Borough Council (UK) and Arjan Vekaria, president of Hindu Forum, Britain, inaugurated the convention by lighting a ceremonial lamp, accompanied by a special invocation song composed by members of the Goan Cultural Society, UK.
Mathur told the audience that the Indian High Commission was happy to be a part of the convention, especially because it was in the UK and it was keen that Goans contribute to society, and enrich culture and heritage.
"The changing face of Goa has had an impact on UK people, sometimes causing some apprehension," he said.
NRI commissioner Faleiro gave a clarion call to Goan expatriates settled all over the world to reunite themselves.
Faleiro echoed Mathur's sentiments, calling on the crowd to "assert Goan solidarity and let members from associations all over the world cheer on their motherland."
He assured Goan expatriates that his office is always ready and willing to solve their problems and grievances. Faleiro outlined some of the schemes initiated by the Goa government for their benefit, specially the 'Know Goa' programme for children of expatriate Goans, who are unaware of the progress made by India since its independence and Goa since its liberation.
British MP Vaz said that Goans are a strong force seen worldwide. "We have a huge role to play in making Goa a bigger part of the world stage going forward," she said.
After a morning of politics, academics completed the line-up in the afternoon, with talks on the golden jubilee of Goa's Liberation, which begins in December.
Dr Damodar SarDesai, professor emeritus, department of History, University of California, praised Goans as being "eminently intelligent" throughout recorded history and still showing promise in the modern age.
Dr Teotónio R de Souza, professor of History, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias in Lisbon, Portugal, said that Goa should remember its "many liberations" with people from different countries making the state their homeland over the last 50 years - a habit that has been common place since medieval Goa.
He added that Goans should stay true to their unique identity, namely "the language of our ancestors, Konkani, and all that associates it with it like the food and culture."
The day was completed with a presentation by Dr Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes, senior research officer in the UK government, who showcased a study she has undertaken on the development and maintenance of the global Goan community.
She highlighted how ambitious Goans have proven themselves over the years and mused over whether future generations will look to migrate overseas in the same way as so many have done to date around the world.
Vakaria, who migrated from Uganda to UK, spelt out the efforts made by the Gujarati community to preserve the Gujarati language and appealed to expatriate Goans to emulate their example by starting classes in the Konkani language in UK, so as to preserve Goan culture and identity. The function was compered by Ravi Vaz, vice president of the Goan Association (UK). The day's event concluded with a vote of thanks by Cipriano Fernandes, followed by a cultural programme of traditional Goan folk art and music, by 'Mand Sammel', a group from Canacona. The group's participation was sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India, New Delhi.