Hi Gabe,
The reasons why, in principle, I did not support the idea of Goa village
Associations in London are:
a) I primarily felt that once benign/well-meaning associations, such as
yours, were established, it would give succour and impetus to those with
sinister caste seeds within them to do the same. They would be justified in
starting their own associations behind the veneer of a simple Goa village
association but with a caste-based Nairobi Goan Gymkhana mentality and
practice in the making.
b) rightly or wrongly, I have always had a preference for just one Goan
Association, particularly in Greater London where the majority of Goans
live. I felt that its cohesion would be undermined by competing Goan village
associations. Thus, I preferred such village associations to be off-shoots
of the parent Goan Association rather than as separate entities.
Fortunately, for now, a seemingly happy co-existence pervades between the
Goan Association, London, and the many Village Associations.
I am naturally impressed by the amount of money your Navelim association has
generated towards good causes, and I must say, good luck to you and your
fellow members.
Finally, I have just noted another one of your posts and have to say that,
undoubtedly, your suave dancing style, panache, and ravishing good looks
would definitely floor any caste-hardened Goan female in Nairobi. Poor me, I
can't help but feel that some guys have had it all!
Incidentally, I also encountered in London, the same lady you mentioned, and
who was originally from Zanzibar. She immediately set about to impress me
about her surname, family, husband's work, and origins from a specific part
of a certain village in Goa. She also went on about her impressive teaching
qualifications. However, her face dropped sharply when I told her that her
teaching qualifications were not recognised in Kenya, let alone in the UK.
After that, understandably, she took great care to avoid me, like the
plague, at Goan socials in London.
Cordially,
Cornel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gabe Menezes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 1:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Goanet]Caste in East Africa
On 02/06/05, cornel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Tony,
Many thanks for enlightining me, and others, about the Catholic Goan caste
situation in Tanzania. ......................
......... This
relatively short period also preceded the establishment of Goa
village-based
associations in London. These I have never approved of because I felt that
they had the seeds of caste within them which would germinate and take
root
in time.
Regards,
Cornel
RESPONSE: This is perhaps true of one may be two Village Associations,
in London. The Union of Navelim has no such class/caste distinctions
and it is gratifying to note that we have raised several thousands of
pounds which have been sent to our Village for various charitable
projects.
Cheers,
Gabe Menezes.
London, England
