Reflecting on the Goan Convention — Part I
On Saturday, Nov. 3, the GOA is hosting Reflections, celebrating 30 years of the International Goan Convention which was held in Toronto during the month of August in 1988. On the agenda are many segments. In the the International Writers’ Videos panel, Dr. Teotonio de Souza and Frederick Noronha, were not present at the Convention in 1988. Janet Rubinoff, now with a Ph.D, which was on the subject of a fishing village in Goa, was present, while her husband Prof. Arthur Rubinoff was among the speakers’ panel. Wonder where he’s now. Since I didn’t hear of any activities bythe International Goan Organisation (IGO), I assumed it was ”dead”. Now that I see Cellie Gonsalves, Ludovic D'Souza and its president, Zulema de Souza going to speak on it, I can only assume it’s still in existence. Maybe, the IGO is in a state of comatose. I met Cellie at Viva Goa this year and enquired about the IGO, she made a sour face and said she was not active with it, and that she’s devoted her engergies to the Canadian Goan Christian Group (CCCG), which had a booth at Viva Goa. I believe Cellie will talk on what the IGO did in the past. She helped the IGO is getting hospital beds which were later sent to Goa. In a way, the IGO also served, or still serving, as a vehicle for some of its top leaders to get access to the politicians in Goa. I know for sure that Cellie has been friends with former Goa CM Luizinho Faleiro since long. I feel this celebration of the big event is nothing but a ego-booster to Zulema D'Soua, president of the GOA then, and also president of the IGO after it was formed. It's hosted by GOA, and I can understand why — her nephew, Selwyn Collaco, is the current president of GOA. The GOA Facebook page says, "The Goan Overseas Association celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the International Goan Convention !! Join us on a nostalgic journey - exhibits, musical interludes, inspiration dialogue etc. Participate in an open discussion, exploring the challenges of today, and the vision of tomorrow, facing the Goan Community !! Come and join us be part of this great event !!" I have been hearing this same old mantra, "challenges of today, and the vision of tomorrow, facing the Goan Community". I don't see any challenges to the community; it's under no threat. As a primary body for the Goans, the GOA has been doing its job of having events for its members. As for the vision of tomorrow, it’s hard to imagine what the future holds for the Goan community. I haven't seen the group of "young adults" who were active then very active in the GOA of today. They must have grown up and have family lives. I haven’t heard of people like Shawn D’Souza, Warren Lobo, to mention just two. The GOA has its Young Adults’ group, and a seperate Facebook page. Maybe they are very active. I saw a lot saw many young volunteers at Viva Goa. The Goan spirit will live on, and perhaps flourish. The community has become big and I am surprised that the GOA membership was in decline. Don’t know if it has risen or fallen low again. Now that even seniors have to pay $20 for being a member of the GOA, I assume the GOA is in dire need of money. I have not renewed my membership. I met one of the founders who is a senior and he too says he too has let his membership lapse. I gave my heart and soul for two years in the making of the International Convention, having invited the keyote speaker, late Prof. George Moraes, late Prof. Jose Pereira, and Dr. Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes. I got my contacts in the travel industry to provide free tickets for Prof. Moraes, Prof. Pereira (by the way, they too are Ph.Ds}, and Dr Mascarenhas-Keyes. Prof. Moraes was given accommodation through the courtesy of Roque Barreto, who suggested to his friend, Manuel Tavares, to accommodate the keynote speaker. It turned out that Manuel is a nephew of Prof. Moraes. Roque acceded to my request to accommodate Prof. Pereira, as I couldn’t put him at my place. I used to have a one-bedroom apartment in a building close by and had a young family. I was shocked he was put in the University hostel room of Cliff Menezes, who was secretary of the Steering Committee. Prof. Pereira hinted that he was uncomfortable staying in a messy room and, hence, I had to find him an alternate place. He was very comfortable at Roque’s place where the other guest was Roque’s I and Zulema received Prof. Pereira who spoke to me in Portuguese. I informed him that I don’t know the language. Zulema butted in and said she knows Portuguese. Prof. Pereira asked her something in Portuguese, and Zulema was lost. She excused herself saying she has forgotten it. As Prof. Pereira and me walked along, with Zulema a few steps behind, he turned to me and remarked in Konkani, “Hi ek xendloli fogotti.” (meaing she’s like a damp firecracker). Eugene