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GL responds: Great to read the story below which appeared on Goanet. But: Was there any native Goan group that played host with this congregate? Would these interactions help in person to person exchange? Could the contacts help in cultural exchange between the Goan communities? What would a 'welcome home' tea party with 'Marie Biscuits' cost? How can we make a good thing into a great thing? Do all initiatives need to be taken by the government? If this was done (but not reported) it is a great thing!:=)) Why do it? Because the Goan Diaspora group spent their money to come to Goa and contribute to native Goan society, pride and economy. Regards, GL Goans from Pakistan come to pay homage Panaji Dec 3: The feast high mass today of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa had just got over. The congregation had begun to disperse. That's when a group of pilgrims gathered near the steps to the altar, posed for photographs and then, spontaneously burst into song, Sam Franciscu Xaviera, Vhodda Kunvra, Rat dis amchea mogan lastelea, Besanv ghal Saiba... One of the oldest Konkani hymns to St Francis Xavier. Nothing unusual about pilgrims singing a traditional Konkani hymn to Goemcho Saib on his feast day. Except that all these pilgrims were from Pakistan, of Goan origin. They are the first batch of 180 from a larger group of 355 who will come home to the motherland on this pilgrimage.
