------------------------------------------------------- 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] ------------------------------------------------------- The convention was inaugurated on 15th in the Casa de Goa by the President of the Association Dr. Narana Coissoró who spoke in Portuguese and in English, including some greetings in Konkani. Goa was represented by quite a few active youth including Cinton Vaz, Wendell Rodricks and Ethel da Costa. Goa's official representatives were the Chief Secretary Dr. J.P. Singh and Mr. Ulhas D. Kamat, representing Dr. Eduardo Faleiro. There were not enough chairs for all the participants in the main hall of the Casa de Goa, and Dr. Narana Coissoró decided that all chairs be taken away and recalled the standing participation of the British parliamentarians! While Mr. Ulhas Kamat read out a message from Dr. Eduardo Faleiro, Dr. J.P.Singh assured the on-going interest of Goa Government in supporting the Goans in Diaspora and revealed several schemes of the Goa Goverment in this respect, including a Goa Card which would guarantee discounts in hotels and other purchases during visits to Goa. The participants in the convention were hosted to a gala dinner by a Portugal-based Goan businessman Vilberto Mascarenhas in his holiday home at Palmela in the suburbs of Lisbon. The bulk of presentations tooks place yesterday. More reports will certainly follow, coming from some active participants in Goanet who were also present at the Convention, such as Rene Barreto, Kevin Saldanha and Jason K. Fernandes. Jason himself presented a critical analysis of the Goa University and the education policies of the Goa Government. Clinton, Wendell and Ethel represented the promising youth for the Goans in Diaspora. Their presentations, along with that of Jason, were greatly appreciated by all present. I had the opportunity of moderating the presentations of Victor Rangel Ribeiro and Portugal-based Dr. Valentino Viegas. This moderation was particularly meaningful for me, because of my contributions to the forthcoming «Goa Book» (sponsored by Raj Salgãocar), edited by Vitor Rangel Ribeiro. In a chapter dealing with Goan Diaspora in Portugal I have written more at length about some of the Portugal-based Goans who participated actively in this Convention, including Narana Coissoró, Valentino Viegas and Leão Fernandes. Dr. Valentino Viegas from Taleigão left Goa in the wake of what he insists in calling «Indian invasion» and hopes against hopes to see Goa regaining its independence from any external domination. The convention rules did not encourage any debate on issues that could upset the spirit of harmony among the participants. Among such issues were also comments of Dr.Susana Sardo who chaired the session on Goan music. She claimed that Goans did not have one standard Konkani and that Konkani was not an important link of communication among the Goans in Diaspora. Basilio Magno and Jeronimo Silva were two speakers at this session, neither of them profissional musicians, but both regaled the audience with their admirable contribution to Goan musical tradition. Jeronimo Silva provided music to the anthem of the Casa de Goa. It was sung at the end of the inaugural session of the Convention. The last speakers I had the opportunity of hearing yesterday were Ethel, Constantino and Leão, all three representing media initiatives. While Ethel informed about her initiatives to train young Goans into media openings in Goa, Constantino analysed how internet had thrown open new challenges to Goans to collaborate from distance, but also warned against the danger of people isolating themselves from the reality and living in a virtual world of unfulfilled dreams and wishes. Today the participants will have an opportunity to pay their respects to Our Lady of Fatima, and will be back to a session of final reflections before dispersing.
