WORLD GOA DAY

Suffused in a mix of love and nostalgia, Goans across the globe are gearing up to celebrate World Goa Day on August 21. The date marks the inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution by both houses of Parliament in 1992. While talk of the event in Goa seems muted, a virtual fever is building up in cyberspace among the Goan communities now thriving in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Spain, Kenya, Tanzania and some countries of the Middle East. Writing in the official website of World Goa Day, Mr Rene Barreto, convenor of the event, says, "on Goa day this year, thousands of Goans will once again remind themselves of the need to work to preserve our culture, music, history, language, cuisine, and art for our children, the non-Goan community, and for posterity." "The theme of "Giving back to Goa" is a good way to inspire our Goan community to do more for Goa and Goans worldwide," writes the London-based Mr Barreto. "Let Goa day be a beacon of light and inspiration throughout the year and for the rest of our lives. Let us make this our motto: "Proud to be a Goan," and live up to that motto." Messages of support and solidarity have been crowding Mr Barreto's email inbox.

An email by Mr Keith Vaz, British Member of Parliament states: "As someone of Goan descent I send my very best wishes for a most successful World Goa Day. This is obviously a crucial step forward in recognising the unique contribution of the Goan community to the life not just of India but also other countries where they have chosen to make their homes. Goa is known the world over for its civility, hospitality and diversity. It is one of the most glorious places on earth. I send my very best wishes for a successful day." Hoping to enthuse more among the Goan diaspora, Mr Barreto has posted some of these messages onto the popular mailing list goanet@goanet.org. Mr Oscar Furtado, of G.O.A, Toronto, sees this as an opportunity to celebrate the values the Goan community possesses and also to share these values with the various communities around the world. Writes Mr Cristopher Nunes, President, Goan Association of New Jersey, Inc. "As this year's theme for World Goa day is 'Giving something back' to society, I am proud to say that the association and individual members continue to donate funds to projects in Goa and help other less fortunate Goans."

Mr Oscar C Lobo, from Melbourne, Australia urges Goans everywhere to shun the caste system and Mr John Paul Kihara of the Goan Community of Mombasa, Kenya, warmly invites all Goans and non-Goans to their special Goan festival in September. There is even a congratulatory message from a Briton, Mr Paul Hancock. There are some dissonant notes too. Writing in Roman script Konkani, one Mr Simon Mendonca laments that though Goans proudly proclaim their Goan-ness, they are ashamed to talk in Konkani.

The bouquets and brickbats apart, Mr Rene Barreto affirms that on August 20, "Goans world-wide join in solidarity to celebrate our Goan-ness." In Goa, World Goa Day is planned for August 24. Among other things, the celebrations will include a stage production by Professor Isabel Santa Rita Vas. Elsewhere in the world, Goan organisations have planned activities for the entire months of August, September or October 2003. Details are listed on www.goaday.com.

There are games, picnics, dinners and dances, cultural shows and cooking demos, even Masses and healing services planned by Goan communities in places like Toronto, Montreal, Calgary (Canada), New Jersey, California, Houston (USA), London (UK) and Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya. The list of celebrations is big, the activities diverse and the places, far-flung. The common denominator is Goa. Music naturally becomes part of the celebrations. Mr Basilio Magno, a Goan from Spain, had composed a special song, "Proud to be a Goan," for the first World Goa Day in 2000. This year, the song has been re-arranged by Mr Emiliano da Cruz and sung by Lulu, one of Goa's top singers.

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