HELP MANDO FESTIVALS � I.
During my recent visit to Goa, I have noticed that deGoanisation process is
gaining momentum very fast. Many of us among the expatriate Goan community
are, it looks to me, simply harping on our �mogachem Goem�, our culture,
tradition and history. But in reality very many of us who are on the
forefront to depict Goa in foreign lands are doing very little for the cause
of Goa and our culture. If we want to maintain and protect our culture we
surely have to help protect our language. In my village now demographic and
ecological situation is totally changed. While I was going to the beach
suddenly I got lost on the way. Hence I asked somebody in Konkani to help
me to find the way. That somebody along with innumerable somebodies
inhabiting my village are outsiders and that they are outsiders I came to
know when that particular somebody told me �Hindime bath koro, Konknni malum
nhaim�. Gradually if nothing is done to arrest this trend then we may not
have Konkani speaking people in the land of Konkani. As it is overwhelming
majority of our Christians (Catholics) have already issued a commandment to
their children not to speak in Konkani and precisely because of this
innumerable children of ours are conversing at home in English, they don�t
even know Konkani. Parents are responsible for this trend. If Konkani is
going to die in Goa it will be partly because of the fault of Christian
parents who refuse to bring up their children in Goan language with a false
notion that they will be unfit to face the life when they grow up. This is
rubbish and that it is so it was proved by Goan Hindus. Educationally,
professionally,financially and intellectually they are more advanced than
Christians even though overwhelming majority of them speak at home in Goan
language Konkani as mother tongue. For the protection of Goa and Goan
identity we must protect our language and thru this our culture.
Mando and Dulpod are a part of Goan culture mainly of Christians
(Catholics). It has been in existence since last 3-4 hundred years. It has
deeply rooted in our blood. After the exit of Portuguese from Goa the
revival of Mando/Dulpods started with strong vigour by holding Mando
Festivals in Goa, the first one being in 1965 at Club Nacional on 29th
August and since then till today these festivals are still going on but
surely not the way it was done in sixties � seventies and even eighties.
Currently it is not on sound footing due to financial crisis the organizers
are facing. If at all this festival is being organized regularly till now
then the credit must go to the current band of Mando lovers who are involved
in organising this festival with lot of difficulties. To organize this
festival annually at Panjim, a special organization is formed under Goa
Cultural & Social Centre which is a registered body with the Government of
Goa. It elects its organising committee by holding election regularly. The
members of GC & SC are electing the organising committee. Currently it is
headed by Mr. Philip Dias from Calangute as President, Mrs. Alcina Dennis
as Vice-President, Mr. Shashikant A. Sardesai as Gen. Secretary, Mr. Octavio
Rodrigues as Jt. Secretary and Mrs. Isaac Dias as Treasurer. The others are
as members namely: Prof. L. J. Dennis, Mr. Zezito Lobo, Mr. Antonio
Monteiro, Mr. S. M. Braganza, Mr. Hipolito Lopes and Agnelo Pinheiro. In
order to get proper information I had a meeting with some of the members of
this organization and thru our fruitful discussion I am sure now that as
long as the above members are there in the committee they will try their
best to move forward but later on it will be very difficult to organize
Mando Festivals regularly. The Government of Goa is not interested in this
festival and since Mando Festival is a cultural part of Goan Christians, the
enemies of Christians will always pay lip service to this festival. It is a
trend in Goa since the exit of Portuguese to destroy everything best among
Christians. Even the game of soccer which is played more by Christians is
under attack. Hence it is our turn who are shouting at the top of their
voices that our culture has to be protected. As I mentioned earlier
organizers of Mando Festival need funds. This year to organize the function
in January, Kuwait Konknni Kendr donated cash for prizes. KKK has already
allocated one lakh of rupees and from the interest derived from this one
lakh is spent for prize money and even in future KKK will do the same. As
suggested by me earlier no funds will be given into the hands of organizers
and thru my discussion I came to know that neither the organisers want funds
to be given into their hands. The only thing they want is financial help
every time they organize the festival and to get this help they will inform
the prospective donors 3 months prior to the festival so that ample time is
allocated either to give them the required cash or for them to hunt for
donations elsewhere of course it will be a difficult task. From the latest
information I received from Goa lover Agnelo Gomes from USA, he already
allocated two lakhs of rupees for this purpose and I feel he will still work
hard to raise it to the tune of 3 lakhs. But with three to four lakhs of
rupees things will not work smoothly. Can someone come forward and assure
something more? According to my latest discussion with the organizers at
least a fund of 6 � 7 lakhs rupees is required. I feel Goans spread around
the world should come forward. As a matter of fact for the cause of Konkani
which is the soul of Goa only Gulf Goans raised funds and among them Kuwait
Goans did the most. Western Goans failed in their duty. Their existence and
love for Goa and Goan causes is seen only after the advent of Internet.
Otherwise for me they were non existent as far as Goa and Goan causes were
concerned. They are now come forward to organize Goa Day and other related
functions in the countries of their domiciles. (In fact Goa Day function was
initiated by Kuwait Goans and from here it spread all over) I request them
to come forward and raise funds for organising Mando Festivals in Goa. This
funds should be deposited in fixed account and interest derived should be
given as expenses every time the Mando Festival is organized. We at KKK has
already deposited our one lakh for this purpose, so also Agnelo Gomes.
To be concluded.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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