Goa Chitra Hosts EMERGING CONCERNS A dialogue between Diaspora youth and local Youth about the past present and future of Goa
Photos at: http://picasaweb.google.ca/GoanetBlog/Events#5413212554323573042 http://picasaweb.google.ca/GoanetBlog/Events#5413212558857016546 http://picasaweb.google.ca/GoanetBlog/Events#5413212564055949378 http://picasaweb.google.ca/GoanetBlog/Events#5413212575323560498 The Government of Goa, department of NRI affairs headed by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, the commissioner for NRI affairs, has formulated a KNOW GOA PROGRAMME(KGP) for the benefit of youth of Goan origin who are not Indian nationals and had no opportunity to discover Goa and India, its glorious past, existing present and promising future. Many Goans left Goa for better prospects. Three generations later, this initiative allows Diaspora youth to travel to Goa to begin a connection with their roots. The 2nd KNOW Goa PROGRAMME 2009 has attracted participation of 12 youth consisting of students and young professionals between the age group of 18 to 28 and hailing from Canada, Mozambique and UK. This KGP is intended to provide the participants a unique opportunity to share their views, experiences and expectations. As part of the programme to expose these youth to the grassroots governance and cultural heritage, the department of NRI Affairs, Govt. of Goa selected the Goa Chitra Museum, Benaulim as the ideal place for the Diaspora youth to know the Goan Ancestral Art and Culture which was held on the 6th of December between 3.30 to 5.30 pm. The youth were taken on a personal tour of the Goa Chitra Museum by the curator of the museum Mr. Victor Hugo Gomes who gave these youth an insight to the rich cultural ancestry that Goans should feel proud of; setting stage for the forum that would allow these Youth to engage in a dialogue with local youth on questions related to the past, present and future of Goa. Selected from amongst a motivated group of Goan youth, a panel consisting of young professionals who have been active in various fields like art and culture, education, social concerns, environmental concern and college representatives got into a dialogue with these Diaspora youth. The welcome address given by Mrs. Aldina Gomes, director of the Goa Chitra museum. To gain perspective with these complex and sensitive themes, Dr. Savia Viegas and Dr. Manoj Borkar were invited to chair the forum. Dr Savia Viegas, reputed writer, artist and historian welcomed the audience and in particular the Diaspora youth. While giving an overview about the topic for discussion Dr. Viegas empathized, saying born without choice in a land far away from their own, dealing with a crisis to identify with the land of their forefathers and the land of their birth. Being neither here nor there, yet having the privilege to belong to both. She further emphasized the importance of belonging and knowing ones roots and heritage and hoped that todays youth forum which had representatives from Goa to share their ideas, their concerns and their efforts and passion with their home will awaken a sense of pride and connection for the Diaspora youth. Dr. Manoj Borkar, associate professor and head of the zoology department at Carmel College, state board representative of the biodiversity club of Goa and active member in the field of research, further welcomed the guest urging them to connect to their motherland, not as a visit to their ailing grandmother who normally are satisfied with photographic exploration, instead getting to understand the heartbeat of the land. An emotional Dr. Borkar, lamented about the state of Goa facing a crisis and the need of the hour would be to find ways that Goans across the world come together to win this battle. The youth representatives comprised of Ms. Sobita Mauzo Kirtani, Mr. Clinton Vaz, Mr. Prajal Sharkdahndhe and Mr. Nirmal Kulkarni; Chosen so as to represent the constant struggle of the many who work tirelessly to make Goa a place for all to be proud of while breaking the myth that Goa is just the sand and beaches that are unfortunately portrayed to the rest of the world. The first to address the audience was Sobita Mauzo Kirtani, lecturer and involved with the asserting Konkani as a state language, spoke about the culture that is going through a transition adopting a western outlook while forgoing their own, especially with the issues addressing the konkanni language. The importance a language has to its cultural ethos and the need to preserve it is therefore of utmost importance. Clinton Vaz a pioneer in the work of garbage disposal which has unfortunately shown its ugly face in the Goan surrounding spoke of the challenges Goa face in disposing its own garbage. While giving credits to our own way of living and recycling being in our blood, he spoke of the urgent need especially amongst the youth to start recycling and learns traditional ways to manage waste. Prajal associate professor and the president of Goa heritage action group and member of the Utt Goankara spoke of his involvement in trying to preserve heritage monuments and sites in Goa. He agreed with Dr, Manoj when he says that Goa is going through a crisis of its own and a cause for this danger he states , unfortunately is our own elected people who do not understand their duties well. I n Goa the heritage in the form of monuments needs to be protected. However when it is the duty of the state they seem to show neglect. Nirmal Kulkarni, an environmental scientist, shared about his involvement with the biodiversity within the state of Goa. Still in infancy much has to be documented and this requires time effort and finance. Goa has a lot to offer in term of biodiversity. He has been able to identify snakes and other organisms that are unique to the land of Goa. At the end of this round Dr. Savia Veigas , threw the floor open to questions from the Diaspora youth to their counterparts. It was interesting as the first speaker from the group, a young student from Canada Vanessa lobo, was very pleased that such a meeting was held since this was a first time experience and in a way gave meaning to their entire trip. We always visit Goa for a holiday and in this case travel to know Goa but it is the first time that we have had this opportunity to connect and understand our land. To see these youngsters our own counterparts be so actively involved is amazing. It gives me a sense of pride and I feel I know so little about this land. She continued further saying I have visited so many other places on this trip but it is here at Goa Chitra that I truly connect this was a wonderful and informative afternoon. She further questioned the audience as to what they could do to preserve their land? This led to discussions as to how these youth could be involved in contributing to their mother land. Suggestions were made about contributing their expertise and infrastructure that could help with the present struggles faced while dealing with various issues like heritage conservation or research and documentation. The need was felt that Goans across the world need to invest in Goa, so that this land can be protected rather than destroyed from mining and other devastation. Emotions ran high as the other members began to share their own personal experiences while being on this visit and the impact the forum had on them. Ryan de Souza from Canada felt overwhelmed as he had never perceived the land of his forefathers as being so committed and involved he said till date we always remained within the boundaries of our own identity never venturing to understand more, today we see that Goa is so much more. The land, the people, the struggles, and passion felt here is overwhelming. We were unaware that the Goan culture had so much to offer and that in away the development here is heartening. It is indeed an eye opener that there is so much happening here. While Michelle Dias from Canada had tears running down her cheeks as she felt the pain of her land. As an NRG, Goa Chitra has opened my eyes to the beauty of Goa. Alicia Dsouza also from Canada felt grateful for the afternoons events and thanked the organizers for the experience as it allowed her to capture true Goan heritage. Carl Mendes from London was inspired to see the manner and efforts made to preserve his culture. Every youth pledged that in the future they would want to become part of these struggles and make genuine efforts to make their trip home more than just a visit to their ailing grandmother. Interestingly the audience was made up of different segments of people who shared their own reactions. Dilnaz mehta who happened to be visiting home from Bombay felt proud to be part of the audience and shared her experience for the need to come back home. John Mitchell a well known anthropologist, who presently resides in goa, was largely appreciative of the efforts made by the Goa Chitra organizing committee to initiate such a discussion as this is completing a circle for many and giving closure to their experience. Being an anthropologist studying societies across cultures, he shared his own search and finally finding a home in Goa. Dr. Damodar mauzo reiterated the importance of keeping Konkani as a language alive since this gives Goans an identity which had the Diaspora youth nodding in agreement and promising that henceforth they would make genuine efforts to learn their mother tongue. Dr. Belinda who also presently resides in goa out of choice spoke about the need for todays youth to look at the value structure that Goa has to offer instead of aping the west for destructive values; instead pick on the ones that inculcate civic sense and learn from the mistakes the west has made with its own children. Emotions running high, the program had to come to an end as they were running short of time. And what started as an experiment at Goa Chitra became a meaningful closure to all. (ENDS) SOURCE: Victor Hugo Gomes, Photos Courtesy: Pantaleao Fernandes Goanet A&E www.goanet.org
