> > Global Goemkars !! > > WORLD GOA DAY AND BONDERAM FESTIVALS > phootographs at : http://worldgoan.blogspot.com/ > ======================================== > > > FROM:MAURICE AND CLARINA COUTIHO > TO:renebarreto > CC: MAURICE AND CLARINA COUTINHOMessage flagged > Saturday, 27 August 2011, 13:43 > > > HI RENE, > > HERE IS THE WRITEUP FOR THE WORLD GOA DAY AND BONDERAM FESTIVAL > WITH SOME PHOTOS @ http://worldgoan.blogspot.com/ > > > MAURICE > > The Divar Association of Toronto celebrated World Goa Day, Bonderam Festival > and a decade of Goinkars Own Academy on Sunday 21st August 2011 at the > National Banquet Hall, Mississuga. > > It was a magnificent day for the divarkars and goans and also for the well > wishers who participated in the function, one of the best in many a year. On > this day we remembered Goinkars Own Academy and its worthy president Debbie > Santamaria, who in a skillful and competent way, continued the activities of > this institution which was founded by the undersigned in 2000. > > Our program commenced with a brief welcome by the president. While thanking > the participants he reminded them of the significance of World Goa Day which > we were celebrating as other goan associations worldwide and paid tribute to > Mr. Rene Barreto the co-ordinator of the goa day movement. It can be said > with certitude that his dynamic and inspired leadership has brought us closer > to the objective of uniting goans in our homeland as well as goans in all > corners of the world. > > > Immediately after, we began the ladainha in honor of our Lady of Fatima, > whose statue was brought to the venue by Tony and Flavia Pereira. The altar > for our Lady was decorated by Clarina Coutinho and the candles and flowers > provided by Tony Pereira. We are all grateful to them. > > > The entire audience actively participated in the singing of the Ladainha in > Latin, Salve Rainha in Portuguese and oracao of St. Francis Xavier in > konkani. These three languages continue to be popular among the goans of > Toronto. The closing prayers after the ladainha were conducted by Devika > Pinto. > > Savoury snacks were then served and the Divar Choral Group, which has now > expanded to 12 members, entertained the audience with popular goan film > songs, mandos, dekhnis and dulpods and these were much appreciated and > applauded by the participants. During this pleasant interlude a few excited > participants could not contain themselves and got on the floor to dance the > mando and dulpods in the traditional goan style much to the amazement of the > guests. We are indebted to Savio Menezes (guitar) who led the choral group > and the musicians. He was accompanied by Cassy Pinto (congos/bongos) and > Maurice Coutinho (keyboard). > > Our charismatic guest of honor Mr. Guilherme Dias, who was selected for the > top 25 immigrants award in 2011, eloquently expressed his views to the > audience and dwelt on the role of the goan community and the necessity to > assist its members to foster a friendly and united camaraderie. The motto of > “by giving we receive” was stressed by him to urge the community to strive > and promote the objective of achieving goan unity. > > The parade of the flags, carried initially by 24 divarkars and later by other > members, began to the tune of one-step medley of Portuguese, English and Goan > music expertly rendered by Richard Coutinho of DJ Symphony. After circulating > several times around the hall all flag bearers congregated in the centre of > the hall for photographs. > > Thereafter participants were invited to partake of a sumptuous buffet dinner > consisting of delectable dishes prepared by expert chefs. > > Richard Coutinho provided excellent music backed by a dazzling display of > lighting effects which stunned the audience and compelled them to step on the > floor and join in the dancing. Prizes and gifts were distributed for > competitions, lucky ticket and other performances. > > During a break in the dancing Dr. Sylvie Athaide addressed the audience. She > is a recipient of two awards from Canadian universities for her commendable > work in the medical field and excellent support to the medical students of > these institutions. > > Dancing continued until 11 pm when it was time to close down. The president > thanked the guests > for their excellent support and after receiving promises to meet again next > year everyone dispersed. > > > Maurice Coutinho > President > Divar Association of Toronto > > oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo > GLOBAL KONKANI ORGANISATION
> > rene barreto > TOGETHER for Goa and Goans everywhere. > -=================================
