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2008 International Goan Convention
Toronto, Canada
Early Bird Discount Registration closes March 31, 2008
http://www.2008goanconvention.com/regform_print.html
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Hi Arwin,
You make many good points. Happy Easter to you and all other goanetters.
One of the first point for us, to save our Goan identity, lies in their own
heart, mind and daily way of life. This does not require convincing anybody
else (MLAs or newspapers) about our Goan identity. Hindus do a much better job
of preserving Goan identity than Catholics. They do this by following their
traditional social culture and religion. Perhaps we can learn from them.
Goan Catholics can preserve their identity by being traditional Goan Catholics,
especially this time of the year - Maundy Thursday services, Good Friday
sacrifices and services, Holy Saturday church rituals and Easter Sunday mass is
a good place to start. With this fist start, we could then continue to
reconnect to Goa on a daily basis, by saying the rosary and practicing other
religious and cultural rituals daily. You live in the Mid-East. Credit to you
all, the Goans in the Mid-East do a much better job of preserving these
religious and cultural customs that diaspora Goans in Europe, North America or
Australia.
Hopefully these simple things will go a long way. Many Western diaspora Goans
have an education and feel liberated from the traditions of our ancestors. For
a few, intellectual snobbery has crept into liberalism. Some liberals have
become anti-religious snobbish people. They sound elegant especially when they
treat those wanting to conserve their traditions and religion as cavemen.
So in our attempt to preserve our Goan identity, we have met the enemy. And the
enemy is - us.
Regards,
Gilbert Lawrence
----------- Arwin Mesquita wrote
Subject: CALL TO ACTION? Goa's Identity.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE CAN STILL SAVE GOA'S VERY UNIQUE IDENTITY, which
is now under threat; and this, can be done in a civilized manner.
For Goans concerned, but show helplessness to act for various reasons; e.g. Non
Resident Goans saying that they are far away or Pessimistic Resident Goans
saying that nothing they do will help, etc please allow me to suggest just 2
simple actions:
(1) Each Goan regularly writes, at least a few words on the issue to the local
newspapers/media (letters can be emailed to respective newspaper/media) (2)
Each Goan regularly posts a letter/post card on the issue to all current 40
MLA's (or at least one MLA) in the Goa Assembly.
These simple actions are practical and do not take much time. IMAGINE THE
IMPACT, if countless Goans act on the same and do not stop!! *The key is
persistence*. Surely this will send a very strong message demanding action &
undoubtedly build a very strong momentum amongst Goans to rise & speak/act. It
is worth a try; what do we have too loose, except a few minutes!
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