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What's On In Goa:
* Oct 16-17: Ornithology workshop, Bondla southernbirdwing.com
* Oct 16-27: Vipasana meditation, Alto Porvorim
* Oct 24: Antonio Pereira Puraskar (Award) ceremony, Porvorim
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I fully agree with Eugene Correia who has written about the recent 'get
together' at the Civic Centre, Mississauga chaired by Zulema De Souza and Al
Mathias. With due respect to both, and to Patricia Pinto, I would like to
draw the attention to all Goans about this exercise in futility. The meeting
appeared like a social gathering whereas Eugene pointed out, most of those
present were irrelevant to Goan issues. It is depressing to note that despite
the Muezzin's call to the meeting, so few turned up and as I wrote recently
many were relatives of Patricia and most are Goans to who Goan issues are
irrelevant.
It is sad that due to a lack of concessus and a common objective, the
Goans have split into a myriad of groups. Kenya Goans, Nairobi Goans, Dubai
Goans, Goans that play soccer, Tanzania Goans, Karachi Goans, and other
groups that have one objective - to socialise and this has kept us apart. One
feels like a stranger if one goes even to the Moira, Aldona, AVC (Asolna,
Velim and Cuncolim) socials. All these groups will not coalesce into one body
due to our penchant for dividing ourselves. Those that came from Uganda, had
high hopes of creating a Club on the lines of their nostalgic clubs in
Africa. Land prices have shot up ever since and Goans are unwilling to come
together to invest in their future. We have been individualistic and have
always made strides based on individual efforts. When Goans succeed, the rest
are quick to Claim bonds with the successful individual. I know one who is
related to Keith Vaz but when Keith Vaz is under investigation, he drops him
like a hot potato.These are traits that make us Goans apart from our crab
mentality about which Remo referred to in a recent write up. What is Goan
about us?
These above groups can muster more than 25 individuals for a pot
luck party. The topic was trivial - plastic collection and cleanliness of
Miramar Beach. And Patricia is a municipal councillor for 58,000 citizens of
Panaji with a limited scope. The following day, Navhind Times had an article
on the garbage problem in the Candolim/Calangute belt and without the ambit
of Patricia's jurisdiction. Though she spoke of Baina and pedophile, she
never indicated success. I will give her credit for having cleaned Panaji
together with her husband Agnelo. I was told that she was in Canada to learn
and at the meeting she hardly indicated her willingness to do so.
I have worked on environmental issues here in Canada and had been sent
to West Africa to assist in a limited area in developing their water
resources. I felt that I could have made some suggestions. Her grasp of the
problem is limited and access to her was being controlled by the above duo. I
feel that if a Muezzin; s call to get together is not taken seriously, the
mosque should be closed. I would suggest that Al Mathias and Zulema should
throw in their towels. Allah O Akbar.
Edgar Martins
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