26 Aug. 2012. Goan Voice UK. Is World Goa Day (WGD) an idea whose time has not yet come? The idea of a meaningful celebration of worldwide Goan unity has been floating around since the late 1970s in various parts of the Goan world. In California, USA with the founders of Goa Sudharop, in Kuwait with an emphasis on sports and the active support of 'Goan World' a cyber-site, in Europe with Portugal's Jorge Noronha making a case for it to celebrate Konkani and its inclusion in India's 8th constitutional schedule and with Basilio Magno of Germany even composing a song specially for that day, a kind of Goan cultural anthem called Proud To Be Goan.
The original idea was to make it an anchor where Goans and their organizations throughout the world would find an enduring commonality, a purpose and an avenue to give back to their own and to their homeland Goa. Its purpose was noble and far beyond the mere usual social gatherings for dances, picnics and other forms of merrymaking. While these activities served a useful and necessary purpose in the early stages of immigration and settlement, something more meaningful, inter-generational and enduring was being sought. To that extent, the original founders' hopes have not yet come to fruition. While WGD has become immensely recognized and celebrated even by obscure organizations serving the multi-dimensional needs of Goans, the significance remains restricted to a mere label and incidental to whatever is being celebrated. Those founders had foreseen and dreaded this coming to pass. The speaking of Konkani is no better or worse with the Goan diaspora than if WGD - Konkani Day as it is known now, had not to exist. Is there a better future in sight? Recently a celebration of WGD by the Quebec, Canada Goans spells a good beginning. There was a contest for children to write an essay on what it means to be a Goan. Ideas like that mean organizers are getting thoughtful and focused on the meaning of the day rather than merely wanting recognition in cyberspace which seemed to be sole goal so far. Another hopeful indicator is that Rene Barreto who has been persevering with the marketing and networking for propagating the idea of this Day for the past so many years will continue to persevere. Oftentimes it is only perseverance that makes success inevitable. On the journey to this celebration, another seed germinated. What could be dearer to the heart of any Goan than authentic Goan food? Having seen what passes for Goan food today, Rene was possessed of the idea that our cooking was worth preserving and perpetuating. I have heard many stories from Goan mothers and in my own family that holds true - of children coming home every chance they get to indulge in the fruits of Mum's cooking. It doesn't take much vision to realize that unless something is done about it, real Goan cooking will one day sadly disappear. With that in mind and the help of a few people who could and would take that idea forward, the Goan Culinary Club was born recently. The Club celebrated WGD in Goa this year, involving 10 top Goan Restaurants and it is hoped that this cuisine initiative will take root elsewhere and make Goan cooking rise to new heights, recognition and long existence. I ask to be excused for not naming the many people involved at the foundation of and actively with the WGD and the Goan Culinary Club. They are too numerous and I don't know enough to include all of them. Here is a link to an article by Constantino Xavier on WGD and Rene Barreto: http://www.goanobserver.com/archive/15-1-2005/globalgoan.htm By Roland Francis ([email protected] )
