Critics are a dime a dozen, or perhaps a paisa a dozen.
Can you imagine all the work that takes place in pulling off a successful
event ?. First, the idea of having a convention, selling the idea to a coterie
of like minded individuals, meetings after meetings, to give shape to the
planned event and to consider all the details; scouting out a location to hold
the event, choosing a band etc.. I am sure there were a lot of phone calls and
running around. Very importantly, before subscriptions/ticket sales come
rolling in, the organizer or organizers in all likelihood had to personally
front an immense sum of money in deposits for a venue, a band, a caterer,
printing advertising materials, tickets, decorating the venue etc. And there is
always the risk of not breaking even or suffering a big loss. It takes
passion, courage and a whole lot of hard work.
In all the hullabaloo a few details may be forgotten. Let us not make a
mountain out of a molehill, and laud the positives of the event, and also laud
the vision and hard work of the organizers.
This mataro can say - been there done that ! (at other un-related events of
course). Hats off and my gratitude to the individuals who organized the first
International Goan Convention, to promote Goan identity and unity. I was not
there but heard a lot of positives about the event, with the recent comment
being the first negative vibe I have heard. (and 30 years later - to harbour a
grudge ? Saiba bogos !)
Niz Goencar
