GOAN FESTIVAL HELD SUCCESSFULLY AT CRANFORD HOUNSLOW Sunday - Jul 22, 2012 [image: GOAN FESTIVAL HELD SUCCESSFULLY AT CRANFORD HOUNSLOW] *LONDON**:* The annual Goan Festival was held at Cranford grounds, Hounslow yesterday on 22nd July 2012 Sunday. The event was organised by the Goan Association UK. Though the event started about forty five minutes late it went on very smoothly till the end of day with people enjoying the utmost. The event was attended by a huge crowds in thousands, people from all around UK.
The event began with the Holy Mass at the venue stage with hundreds of faithful attending it. It was an open air Mass of three priests and the main celebrant being Fr. Francis of the Pilar Society with the guest priest Fr. Remmy also from the Pilar society who had come all the way from Goa. Goans from far and wide in UK had come there to enjoy and feel the touch of Goa. From Swindon itself seven buses full of Goans had come for the Goan Festival. According to the statistics a record break crowd of more than 9000 people came from all over UK for the occasion. People came with their children and were seen enjoying the event. There were food stalls all over the place with delicious Goan food sizzling in every stall and the rich and mouth watering aroma of the food would make ones appetite blow over. There was a heavy rush at each and every stall that served Goan food. Sorpotel, Cherusam, Chiken Cafreal, Croquets, Recheado Bangdde, pulao etc etc were the main items of the day. One could see the mad rush at the stalls to eat. Whoever we spoke to was eager to say that they loved the food and the food made them feel they are in Goa. On the program side there were many singers who sang Konkani songs comedy as well as serene songs. The visiting tiatrists from Goa with Sammy Tavares were also present and gave their performance too. Lawrie Travasso sang with his melodious voice. Aniceto sang a song of Late Alfred Rose whose great fan he is and finally Sammy sang a melodious song which captured the hearts of all the people gathered to hear that song. The British MP of Goan origin Mr. Keith was made a brief appearance and gave a short speech. However no Goan politician or ex-politician or their kins were seen at the venue Among those present Ms Carmen Miranda was very much present with her stall of awareness on the mining evils in Goa who was later during the day interviewed by Niz Goenkar. Also present was Mr. Eddie Fernandes, the Editor of Goan Voice, Ms Selma Carvalho who presented the documentary of the story of the East African Goans who migrated to the UK followed by a discussion with Cliff Pereira. This was held inside the Cranford Community College Hall at the venue of the main event of the day. Niz Goenkar spoke to Ravi Vaz the Chairman of the organising committee and the Vice President of Goan Association UK who said that he was very much happy a the turnout of the Goans for the event and that they have much better ideas for the future Goan Festivals. He also said that compared to last years crowd of about 6000 people this years 9000 was beyond expectation and that their heart goes out to the Goans. He further stated that they conduct the event in order to spread the Mother tongue Konkani and to create an unique feeling of being in Goa. Ravi was also sorry that the programme started a bit late and told NG that it was due to the breakdown of the vehicle carrying the required equipment, on the way to the venue. As the evening approached and the clock ticked 7 PM the crowds started dispersing. But overall the event was very successful and very much appreciated by the people who had turned out in their thousands. *Full Video news clip on this and many interviews taken at the venue will be up on NG within another two or three days - Editor* * * -- DEV BOREM KORUM Gabe Menezes.
