1966 was a good year, perhaps an omen, portending England winning the World Cup again? Besides England winning the World Cup, our very own Goan, Rita Faria was crowned Miss World, bringing joy and honour not only to Goans but to the whole of India!
The Goan Association Committee having been formed, moved swiftly to organize functions. The most notable was the Dance at Cumberland Place; we were warned not to bring any cameras along as there was a special guest appearance. Needless to say we were all expecting Miss World, I was quite sceptical as to how much clout our newly formed committee would have, to actually deliver. The day arrived and lo and behold - there was Rita Faria - a statuesque figure. No photos were allowed as she was on contract with the Miss World organizers. She was fortunate to get away, from her handlers, as most winners are chaperoned. There was even a tag dance, whereby all the men, could have a chance to dance with Miss World. My friend Michael Fernandes, who also happened to be, my brother-in-law's brother, was all excited and went straight for a tag. I was reluctant as Rita stood quite tall, I believe taller than me and I thought it, a waste of time to get all hot and bothered! The organizers did a good job, I believe the late Amorito Nazareth was on the Committee. Always with his White tuxedo Coat, very Cuban looking! Dancing with the daughters of our Goenkars never transpired; I think having seen Tony D'Costa and myself, they decided to lock up their daughters and keep them at home!. So with sweaty palms (myself ) and stirring loins we approached the wives, who were so sweet and willing to dance with us, wet behind the ears teenagers. After that I didn't get the chance to attend any more functions, I was promptly posted to RAF Geilenkirchen in West Germany. Today, the Ladies are looking for young men to dance with but none are forthcoming! There was already a steady stream of Goans coming into London and 1968 saw a huge influx of Kenyan Asians. They were all bent on beating the deadline set by Parliament, regarding Asian British Passport holders. 27 Jets were leaving Nairobi every evening on their way to Heathrow. Amongst them were many Goans. By the time I left the Forces to return to London, my sister, her husband and my parents had arrived, along with many Goans. Now we were having regular dances organized by the Goan Association and one had to be quick and early, as it was on first come first served basis and many a time people were turned back as the events were sold out. It wasn't long before the Association decided to encourage people to become life members. Life membership was encouraged and available at £20, I promptly became one. 1972 saw the expulsion of Asians from Uganda, many were Goans, who further swelled our ranks, in the U.K. Most remained around the London area. Many joined the Association and because of their thirst for meeting other Goans, functions organized by the Association were always a sell out. Some enterprising Goans started organizing their own functions and doing catering as well at this time. Many of these made their money during those days and some are sitting pretty today. There was a good band in those days called Night Fever and the crooner, Agnes Delgado, kept us dancing, with her renditions. Agnes was a really gifted singer - had sung for Steve's Band in Nairobi. I believe our Cornel D'Costa also played, the Saxophone, for Night Fever occasionally. A few more years down the line and Hastings Banda, expelled the Goans from Malawi. All Goans from Malawi are, I am sure, ever grateful to one of their members for blurting out, niceties about Hastings Banda! These new refugees were lucky, in that they were put up in temporary accommodation, until they found their feet. Today they are a thriving lot and have yearly celebrations - one year they were so thankful for Malawi expelling them, that they invited the Malawi High Commissioner to their yearly Bash! Many of these Malwai Goans further swelled the ranks of the Goan Association. At one time, I believe there were close to 3000 G.O.A. members, if one takes into account that only the head of the Household became a member, the size of the London Goan Community could be estimated as many several thousand people. One should appreciate as well, that many more did not become members and attended functions as guests. The Youth of the Committee quickly got together and formed a Hockey Club, which was very successful in those days. Jacinto Fernandes managed the First team and I managed and played for the second XI. I left for Singapore in 1978 and thereafter occasionally attended some Goan functions, when vacationing in London. Some time in 1984 on a business trip back to London from Hong Kong, I visited the newly purchased Club, at Beckenham Place, Kent. The enthusiasm was infectious and I promptly removed my cheque book and handed over a cheque for £500 for the Association to buy a T.V. This item promptly vanished, despite there being no break in! Such was the turmoil we were finding ourselves in. There was a phone at the Club House and many used it to make long distance calls to friends and relations all over the World! Needless to say the phone was then cut off. I shall not venture further into the quagmire that the Association had headed into. All I shall add is to state that there were a few reprobates. I left Office, from the Association totally disillusioned. My sons have no interest in the Association, having learnt from my experience. I wonder how many young Goan professionals have been advised to stay away from the Association because of my own and other's experience ? DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
