-----Original Message----- From: manuel tavares
> A good example are the Hindu Goans who did not venture outside Goa in any considerable numbers. > Leave aside going to inhospitable places like remote corners of Africa. These Hindus did not even > venture of Bombay or other parts in any significant numbers. RESPONSE: AFAIK, Hindu Goans emigrated to Mumbai (Bombay) in the 19th century. Sorry cannot give you academic references offhand. But they did and besides enhancing themselves established the Goa Hindu Association, based in downtown Girgaum, to uplift the community. They performed similar philanthropic works as the GOAs the world over. Teresa Albuquerque's Goan Pioneers in Bombay [1] may throw more light on this issue. > As far as new immigrants are concerned, precisely what I say, they are not inclined to join the GOA > as they have no history of belonging to any sort of club. RESPONSE: I don't believe the GOA sell themselves as "prior membership to any sort of club not necessary". But I do know with certainty that new immigrants are usually dealing with issues that affect new immigrants - jobs, house, jobs, rent, jobs, family, jobs, kids school, jobs....you get the drift. > This club system was a truly British of European one from which Goans who came from British Ruled > Colonies emulated and when the British left India, the exclusive clubs which they attended gradually disappeared. RESPONSE: It is more than likely these clubs are headed for extinction following in the footsteps of the colonialists. > This is perhaps due to the Indian cultural system of Cast and creed and not social status as the British had. RESPONSE: Were there not caste based clubs in Africa?? > There were of course the Goan clubs in Bombay but these too were mostly cast driven. RESPONSE: I suppose the above reference is to the Kudds of Bombay [2]. They served their purpose just when Goans needed them most. Many village clubs have closed down and some continue to survive. Hopefully they will benefit ($$$) from the construction windfall to hit South Mumbai. > It is heartening to note that the GOA Toronto is in recovery mode. RESPONSE: Last Sunday (Sep 30/12) there was a Town Hall Meeting & Symposium held in Mississauga [3] - the professed Goan Mecca in the GTA. Not only was there a sizable Goan attendance but the organizers began and ended the program on schedule. The event was spearheaded by the Canorient Toronto. Where was the GOA? - B [1] http://www.amazon.com/Goan-Pioneers-Bombay-Teresa-Albuquerque/dp/9380739230 [2] http://oldphotosbombay.blogspot.ca/2011/10/mohammadi-mahal-at-junction-of.html [3] http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2012-September/224982.html
