------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html -------------------------------------------------------
0000000000000000000000000000000000000 EVALUATING GLOBAL GOANS CONVENTION 00000000000000000000000000000000000 .............HELD IN PANAJI – GOA 3rd to 5th January 2007 “TOASTMASTER STYLE” By John Mascarenhas – DTM* (*Distinguished Toastmaster) What is Evaluating Toastmaster style? Any convention involves public speaking and public speaking is a skill, and like any skill it can be developed and improved. In Toastmasters, feedback is called evaluation, and it is the heart of the Toastmaster's educational program. At the Global Goans Convention, I have observed what went on and the purpose now as a Toastmaster is to provide an evaluation of the convention that is helpful and encouraging and hopefully that future conventions will take note of my evaluation and make it an even better convention the next time round. For this reason I have summarised what took place each day, so that the global Goans and other interested parties will appreciate what went on and hopefully more will attend future conventions. This was not just an ordinary convention it was something that I will always be proud of particularly the wonderful Goan hospitality and friendship under which it was conducted. My evaluation begins long before the convention started. Prior to the convention it was well advertised by the office of the Commissioner for Non-Resident Indian Affairs (NRI). The Commissioner (cabinet minister rank) being Shri Eduardo Faleiro, based at Porvorim, GOA . As far as Australia was concerned it was advertised on the Goan Overseas Association (NSW) Inc Sydney website www.our-goa-nsw.org under the banner of world wide “ Alliance of Goan Overseas Associations”. We in Australia are fortunate that the Vice President of the Goan Overseas Association (NSW) Inc. Sydney is also the Acting General Secretary of the “World Alliance of Goan Overseas Associations”. The World Goa day overall coordinator and promoter of the “ Alliance of Goan Overseas Associations” is Mr Rene Barreto. It was from this web site and the various emails I received from Mr Barreto and Mr Colaco that made me decide to attend the convention. A few days before the convention while in Goa I got a call from Mr Tony Colaco asking if I could represent the Association and Goans generally in Australia at the Convention and to contact Mr Rene Barreto, which I did. Mr Barreto asked me if I could attend a meeting prior to the convention to which I again agreed. At the meeting were Shri Eduardo Faleiro, the Commissioner for NRI Affairs (former Union Minister) and members from his department and some of the Non Resident Goans (NRG) who were to be recipients of special awards. The meeting was well organized followed by dinner. This meeting prepared me for what was to come at the convention. The agenda was beautifully prepared. It was at this meeting that Shri Eduardo Faleiro said to me that Mr Colaco had recommended to him that I speak at the conference on behalf of the Goans in Australia and asked if I would so. I agreed. First Day 3 rd January 2007 at the Convention – ________________________________________ My wife Ivy and I attended to the registration paying the required fee of Rs1,000 each. The registration took longer than I expected for it required standing in two queues, one to pay the fee and collecting the receipt and then standing in another queue to book in and receive the name tag and a bag containing full of gifts, “programmes and perspectives” booklet, glimpses of Goa – portraits, another book called “Location Goa” etc. The “Location Goa ” is about the Goan contribution to cinema today and pages 178 and 179 of the book brought back happy memories to me particularly to my wife Ivy. It goes on to say that “the first Konkani feature film “”Magacho Aunddo” (love's craving) was released on 24 th April 1950. Al Jerry Braganza produced it. It is a beautiful love story set in a Goan environment of the late forties. It had a large star cast comprising Al Jerry Braganza, Lena Fernandes, Lewis Ratus etc. I saw this movie in Uganda and when I said it brought back happy memories it did because Lewis Ratus is my wife Ivy's uncle (father's brother). At registration various matters had to be attended by the staff and all this took time, hence the delay in starting the conference.My suggestion here would be to have one person collecting the fees and completing the formalities in one hit – “one stop shop”. People do not like standing in queues when it can be avoided by adopting better ways to resolve this. There was the arrival of the Chief Guest – Shri Pratasingh Rane, Hon. Chief Minister of Goa followed by Invocation presented by Mrs Patricia Rozario OBE the Eminent Goan Opera singer based in UK. Well done Patricia. There was the usual lighting of the traditional lamp followed by the welcome speech by Shri J P Singh, Chief Secretary. This was a sincere welcome and was very well done with great dignity. Then there was the reading of messages by Vice Admiral John C de Silva, Chairman Overseas Employment Agency of Goa . What a speaker, I was impressed – the messages very touching and would like to share some of it with you – >From Dr A P J Abdul Kalam – President of India . “Our nation has a rich cultural heritage with vibrancy. The convention could highlight the potential of Goa in tourism, biodiversity and its history and culture…. On this occasion, I extend my greetings and felicitations to the participants and the organisers and wish the Convention all success”. >From Dr Manmohan Singh – Prime Minister of India . “The Goan community is best known for its lively spirit, forward looking approach and the tradition of tolerance and accommodation. Goans have registered remarkable progress in every walk of life and proved their caliber and talent at the global level…. I greet all those associated with the convention and wish it all success”. >From Smt. Sonia Gandhi – Chairperson United Progressive Alliance . “The people of Goa are living symbols of India 's rich pluralistic and syncretic culture, with respect for all faiths, and ability to appreciate and absorb cultural influences from other lands. Goans have made their mark in many fields of endeavour, not just in India but in different parts of the globe, and have brought pride and glory to India ”. >From Shri. Pranab Mukherjee – Minister for External Affairs, India . “I commend the organizers for taking this initiative in convening this convention where Goans from across the world will be honored for their distinguished contribution in various fields”. >From Shri. Vayalar Ravi – Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, India . “The Indian diaspora has by the dint of hard work, enterprise, honesty and commitment, contributed enormously to the growth and prosperity of their host countries”. >From Mr Tony Colaco – Vice President of Goan Overseas Association (NSW) Inc >Sydney and Acting General Secretary of World Alliance of Goan Overseas Associations. “On behalf of the World Alliance of the Goan Overseas Associations currently comprising of various Goan Associations based in Australia, Africa, Canada, Germany, Macau, the Middle East, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States of America), I congratulate the Government of Goa for taking this strategic policy initiative to put the NRI affairs on the agenda and for taking positive and practical steps to make Goa and Goans connected and united wherever the are on this planet.” This was followed by special presentations – Shri R R Dash, Head of Division and Chief Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi ' Shri Sanjay Singh, Head of Division (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi . Introductory remarks by Shri Eduardo Faleiro. Release of Audio CDs on Traditional Music of Goa . Release of publication highlighting Government achievements. Then followed an address by the Chief Guest Shri Pratapsingh Rane, Hon. Chief Minister of Goa . This was a very impressive address. He said “the regional plan 2011 would be put up before the cabinet for discussion and that the government also intends to obtain the views of the experts and that citizens had submitted papers in this regard …”. This was followed by a vote of thanks by Dr Dilraj Kaur – Special Secretary (NRI Affairs). Then for delicious lunch and on to the Secretariat Porvorim for an interactive session. In attendance were Goa cabinet ministers. This session allowed ministers to address the delegates followed by questions during the open forum. The ministers in attendance as expected were there to promote their departments and did their departments proud. The Commissioner for NRI Affairs Shri Eduardo Faleiro reminded us that his department had set up a website www.globalgoans.org.in to be a channel of communication between his office and the entire Goan diaspora. (Note – 35 photos of the convention are on display at this website) At one stage I could not believe what one minister was saying. He kept on saying Goanese, Goanese and Goanese and I felt like correcting him, but this was done by our Canadian Goan in a very diplomatic way about the use of the word Goanese that it was not Goanese but Goan because Goanese is considered to be incorrect usage and offensive by some. The minister got the message and did not use it again. I felt the power point presentation by a minister was over the top. The slides were over flowing with words and to read it from the screen was again over done. My recommendation here is only use the main points on the screen. That way people will understand and appreciate more. All in all it was a perfect interactive session and it was wonderful to see and hear our Ministers. Then followed the usual famous Goan bickering. A member of one Goan Kuwaiti Association criticized the Goa Government for sending a Goan Mando troupe to Kuwait at the request of another “rival” Goan Association there. This resulted in a comment “you are an idiot” from a member of the rival Association to another Goan. Those present were shocked at the comment and should have been told to withdraw the comment. However our chairman Shri Eduardo Faleiro added humour to the discussion by saying “when there are two Goans they have four associations” and added “last year you were attacking the Government, this year you are attacking each other”. Matters relating to passports, visas, congestion in Indian embassies abroad and the shabby treatment melted out to persons of Indian origin there were brought to the attention of Shri R R Dash, Head of Division and Chief Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi who noted the points raised and was very concerned about them. After this session we had a tea/coffee break and later made our way to Sinquerim for dinner hosted by Hon. Chief Minister Shri Pratasingh Rane at Fort Aguada Beach resort Sinquerim followed by a cultural programme by Kala Academy. This was well done and all present praised the function. It was here that I presented to the Hon. Chief Minister Shri Pratapsingh Rane a programme of the charter dinner we had in Sydney Australia on 27 th October 2007 to celebrate the formation of a new Toastmasters Club with the help of the Goan Overseas Association (NSW) Inc Sydney and appropriately called the “G. O. A. Toastmasters Club – Sydney” the letters standing for “Gifted Orators of Australia” with connections to our Goa. The members did not want to call it a Goan Toastmasters Club for obvious reasons and Mr Tony Colaco suggested the name adopted. This ended the first day at the conference. It was to be my only day at the conference but Ivy and I enjoyed it so much that we decided to return the next day. The Second day 4 th January 2007 at the Convention - _____________________________________________ Commenced on time (wonderful) with Invocation presented by Kala Academy – well done followed by introductory remarks by the Chairman Shri Eduardo Faleiro We than had special presentations by – Ms Vicki Treadell, British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai – Mr Said Salim Al Sinawi, Charge-de-Affairs of Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of India – Shri Santosh Jha, Director ( America Division), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi – Mr Sujata Singh, Head of Division, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi . After the presentation we had three NRG from their respective countries speaking on various matters. The three speakers were – 1. Sally Gonsalves –representing International Goan Organisation, Canada . 2. Mr Alfred D'Souza – representing Migrant Workers' Protection Protection Society, Bahrain, and I represented the Goan Overseas Association (NSW) Inc Sydney and Goans in Australia . My address was headed “What can Australian Goans do for Goa ”. I said the modern NRGs are far more professional, skilled with a sense of ethics and leadership and very caring to the needs of Goa than the previous generation. They have a soft spot for Goa in their hearts and are genuinely concerned about Goa 's environmental future. I believe we NRGs in Australia will be able to help Goa in the following three categories – In Australia we have a number of Goan Associations in each State. Each Association has reserve funds, which are invested and earning interest on which tax is paid. My plan is to encourage these Associations to divert those funds to Goa and deposit it in various institutions on which interest is paid and naturally backed by the Government of Goa and so helping the Goan economy. We have many NRGs now nearing retirement age who long to settle in Goa and it would be wonderful to capitalize on this by showing them the wonderful opportunities available in Goa with the Associations in Australia acting as the go between. 2. The Goan Associations in Australia could set up a register of NRGs and then put them in touch with Goans in Goa intending to migrate to Australia . We could publish a booklet about the customs in Australia (good day mate, crikey etc), level of Governments, Australian culture, religion etc so that they will have some understanding about the Australian way of life once they are in Australia . The Goans in Australia would act as mentors until they settle down. 3. In April 2006 the Goan Overseas Association (NSW) Inc Sydney organized a Young Goan Leaders Workshop, which was well received which saw the formation of the G. O. A. Toastmasters Club. These members have learnt much from the club. They have now gained communication and leadership skills and are eager to help the young Goans in Goa . My idea is in 2 years time to take a group of Goan Toastmasters to Goa and conduct youth leadership courses for the youths there and train some teachers to take over the courses and this two way contact will benefit not only the youths in Goa but the Goan Toastmasters who will see it as contributing to their fellow Goans and I know our young toastmasters would love doing this. In the meantime the young Goans will be encouraged to visit Goa when they next plan their holidays. This was followed by an address by our Chief guest Dr Wilfred De Souza, Hon Deputy Chief Minister. What an address – it just flowed beautifully. In reference to the Regional Plan 2011 he said “I and my party have demanded the scrapping of the Plan 2011 and that the plan was never put before the cabinet for debate”. This drew applause from the audience. It became clear to me that his Government would have no alternative but to withdraw the plan. He pointed out that “as for the protection of properties of NRGs, the Government will be amending the exiting laws to suit the purpose” and I have no doubt he will attend to this. Foreign diplomats and some of our Ambassadors and heads of the department of the Ministry of External Affairs concerned with Gulf countries, West Asia, West Europe addressed the convention. I am confident that the Goans working in the Gulf under trying conditions including being harassed by their employers will benefit greatly having put forward their point to the officers present who will take it up with the countries concerned. This was followed by a vote of thanks and it was time for lunch and then on to the Secretariat at Porvorim for a further interactive session. At this interactive session the media were not allowed to attend the session and the journalists standing outside the conference hall decided to strike causing a minor disruption and then I heard Tony Evans say to me “in my over 25 years as a journalist with Uganda Argus in Uganda I always felt the duty of the journalist was to report the news and not make the news” and his wife Tina, Uganda born Goan who was standing next to me burst out laughing at Tony's comment. After the session we left to go to Cidade de Goa for dinner hosted by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Hon Commissioner for NRI Affairs at Sunset Lawns followed by cultural programme. What a wide variety of cultural shows. So ended the second day The Third Day 5 th January 2007 at the Convention – Commenced with the arrival of our chief guest H E the Governor of Goa and received by Shri Eduardo Faleiro Hon Commissioner for NRI Affairs and ushered to the convention hall. Then we had the beautiful musical Invocation presented by Fr Peter Cardozo, director, Pilar Music Academy – this was at its best – well done Fr Peter Cardozo. This was followed by introductory remarks by Shri Eduardo Faleiro. After the introductory remarks we had the highlight of the conference the introduction of eight recipients of Global Goans Achievement Awards. Shri Tomazinho Cardozo, former speaker Goa Legislative Assembly did the introduction. I wish I had the chance to hear him speak as speaker of the Assembly, to me his introduction of the recipients was done professionally as a Toastmaster would do. He introduced the recipients with dignity and gracefully acknowledged the contributions of the recipients. Last night at the dinner we had the pleasure to hear him sing with his wife – what a singer. At the end of the dinner I remarked to him that I knew he was a good speaker but I did not know he could sing. He writes well too and I always make it a point to read his articles. The presentation of the awards was done by H E the Governor of Goa to the following recipients - Dr Alfredo Bruto da Costa – former Minister for Health and Social Welfare in the Government of Portugal and presently President of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council. Dr Narana Coissoro – former Deputy Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament and presently President of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Lisbon . Mr Fitz De Souza – a freedom fighter, colleague of the legendary Kenyan leader Jomo Kenyatta, deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya, and the 2004 recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Saniman Puraskar awarded by the President of India. Mr Justice Wolfango Dourado – former Attorney General of Tanzania and Chief Justice of the High Court of Zanzibar . Prof. Damadar R Sardesai – Emeritus Professor of History, University of California , USA . Ms Patricia Rozario – opera singer knighted by the Queen of England with the OBE, and awarded the Asian Women's Award for Achievement in Arts. Mr Leslie de Melo – artist, sculptor and painter, recipient of several awards from the Ministry of Arts, Government of Austria . Mr Neville Roach – Chairman and CEO of the transnational corporation Fijutsu Australia and an acknowledged authority on IT and Telecommunications. This was followed by awards acceptance speech from the recipients. The speeches by those receiving the awards is usually limited to 3 to 5 minutes and should contain the following objectives. Accept an award with dignity, grace and sincerity. Acknowledge the presenting organization. Of the eight recipients five of them failed the basic objectives of replying on receiving an award, a sample of some of the replies were - • “When I am in Calangute and I hear the crows it reminds me of garbage”. Fancy saying this as I am a resident of Calangute. • “I am against the ill treatment of Aborigines”. What this has to do with the award I will never know. The same recipient repeated all that was said about him when he was being introduced. • “I would like to present this award to my good friend” and later said “if I could get this award back I would present it to my wife”. Such remarks question the judgment of the organization presenting the award. • “The world has had many dictators but the worst one was Dr Antonio de Oliveira Salazar”. What is interesting is that the public in Portugal recently chose former dictator Dr Salazar in a poll on state television as “the greatest Portuguese who ever lived”. He further added “you are first an Indian, than a Goan etc” this is to a group of NRGs, residents of other parts of the world and some having the nationality of those countries. He was completely off the point and spoke for 12 minutes. The applause he got after the speech would have indicated to him that he should have stopped talking a long time ago. • “I would like to pay a special tribute to my spouse who has helped me all along”, goodness me. Some of the statements may be true, but it was not the place to make such comments. Some remarked that they had received various awards during their lifetime and I feel that no one has told them the main objectives of an acceptance speech. These five recipients failed to thank the organizers – the Government and people of Goa . The question that must be asked here is the cost involved in getting these recipients to Goa . One of the recipients arrived in Goa just before the presentation and left Goa shortly after the presentation without giving the delegates a chance to meet the person. If the Government of Goa paid for their expenses, I feel that is wrong. Surely they can afford to pay their own expenses after all they have distinguished themselves in those countries and benefited financially and not burden the Goan taxpayer. What are they now going to do for Goa ? Questions have been asked about the selection process for the recipients, which I understand, was done by asking the Indian embassies overseas to recommend names. In my opinion the embassies are not the people who should be asked but the Goan Overseas Associations in those countries if applicable who would know more about the Goans than the embassies. A question was also raised whether the recipients were Goans; from some of their acceptance speeches it did not appear to be so. We then had an address by our chief guest H E The Governor of Goa . What a great speech, followed by a vote of thanks by Prof M S Kamat, Ex Principal M E S College, Vasco. Then off to lunch which was well laid out and all enjoyed the lunch. Then it was time to go to Raj Bhavan – the official residence of the Governor of Goa - where we witnessed a cultural programme organized by Directorate of Art and Culture followed by reception/dinner by Shri S C Kamir, H E The Governor of Goa. Finally Mr Rene Barreto thanked H E The Govenor of Goa on behalf of the delegates. A very touching and warm speech that clearly showed all those in attendance were very pleased with the convention and the applause he received said it all. So ended a memorable convention knowing very well that much had been achieved as the delegates had benefited much from the convention. I salute Shri Eduardo Falerio, the Commissioner of NRI Affairs for his dedication to the Goan cause. Thank you to Shri Menino Peres, Director Information and Publicity for his publication “Programmes and Perspectives”. Thank you to the executive and members of the Forum of OverseasGoans/Indians (FOGI), the Director for NRI Affairs Shri U D Kamat and all officials who have in one way or another contributed to the success of the Global Goans Convention. I agree with the comment by Shri U D Kamat, Director, NRI Affairs that the “NRGs Convention was a means to promote sustainable, beneficial relationship between Goa and NRGs. The convention was definitely not a social gathering but an opportunity for Goans to interact with the Minister of the Government”. I will conclude with a comment from Victor Fernandes of GOANWORLDNETWORK – “Over the past few months since his appointment Shri Faleiro has spared no effort to bring unity among the NRGs, harmony in their relationships with the government, and the promise of a firm response by government ministers to any NRG concern which is resolvable. The spirit of Shri Faleiro's dynamic leadership was all too evident in the tone and substance of the 2007 Convention”. Sydney Australia 12 th May 2007 [EMAIL PROTECTED] About the author. John Mascarenhas is a Distinguished Toastmaster. John is a Trustee of the Goan Overseas Association NSW Inc. and his pioneering work has seen the formation of the G.O.A Toastmaster's Club in Sydney, Australia. John has served the Goan community in Sydney, Australia with distinction for 30 years. By Tony Colaco World Alliance of Goan Overseas Associations. http://www.our-goa-nsw.org/alliance.html CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon,Portugal 15th -17th June 2007 Details: www.casadegoa.org WORLD GOA DAY - 18-19th August 2007 ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ____________________________________________________________________________________ Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when. http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222 ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
