We have another report on the Goan Convention written by the Convention Chairman, Cllr Rabi Martins, for Asian Voice (check Goan Voice). It beats me why a reputed ethnic paper like Asian Voice couldn't depute its own reporter to cover the event, especially when its publisher, CB Patel, was one of the speakers. That we have to depend on reports by someone who held a responsible position in the organisation of the convention is our bad luck. First, calling Eduardo Faleiro, "Mr. Eduardo ", is outright wrong, when in the same para he calls the GOA President, Mr. Flavio Gracias, and the vice-president of GOA just plain Ravi Naik. Then again in the same para the writer corrects himself and says "Mr. Faleiro." This may be nitpicking on my part, but it is to show that the paper did not even care to edit Martins' copy. Here is the convention celebrating 50 years of Goa's liberation, and Martins writes "Goa's annexation to India." It would be right on Martins' part to say Mea Culpa. Martins then quotes himself praising the president, Flavio. No wonder Gabe wrote that there was lot of back-patting at the convention. Dr. Stella Mascarenhas-Keyes bemoaned "the fact that our mother tongue Konkani was not retained down the generations and welcome the movement to revive it." Let me tell you'll a fact. When I went to receive Stella at the Toronto in 1988 for the Toronto convention. I bumped into my cousin who worked at the airport. He greeted me in Konkani and Stella remarked if we keep speaking in Konkani. Before introducing her to my cousin I asked her if she could speak Konkani. She smiled shyly and said she does a little. I went to receive her because I had managed to her a ticketing agency to "sponsor" her ticket. Hope her children are speaking the language! Just kidding, Stella. Martins said a line about Eddie's presentation on how a "significant Goan E-Village was beginning to emerge." Dear Eddie, it looks like an interesting idea and I wish you the best on your efforts.. So, I once again request you to put its details on your Goan Voice. Martins, like the earlier two reports, has ignored the presentations from Jason and Cliff. Though I would have also liked to read the reports from the representatives of the Goan associations. One bit of interesting news I gathered from Martins' report is that the NRI Affairs Department is trying to get birth certificates peior to 1955. It would be also interesting to read the future issues of Asian Voice which will carry articles on UK Goans, as Patel assured the audience. I am just articulating my views in the hope that reporting improves at the next convention. BTW, was the next venue announced? No hard feelings, dear Martins. I know you are not a "professional journalist" and, hence, can be excused. But I still intrigued why Jason and Cliff were left out.
Eugene Correia
