Re: [Goanet] From Lisbon to Toronto Part I
Hi Maria, With the traditional Goan politeness, I ask you to please enlighten us on the individual and collective achievements of Goans that were recognized in Lisbon and Toronto? This phrase was repeated several times in your article. If the Casa de Goa was celebrating Goan achievements, the achievers from various parts of the Goan world should have been invited, given awards and would have been there to receive them. From what I can see the same set of (3-5) achievers who were trumpeted in Lisbon were recognized in Toronto. Is that all that native and Diaspora Goans have as achievers? Perhaps the first step is for Goan leaders to know the Goan achievers. Not just the ones whose friends and relatives one knows. Hopefully we have moved from 'amchem tempar'.. More Goans today have been recognized by the world around them than by Goans. This by no means is to underplay the efforts and the success of the two conventions. But pray, please lets 'walk the talk', at least in the 21st century. Your second paragraph totally contradicts subsequent ones. (see below) Goans are no longer stupid. That is what the Toronto Goans displayed in unison and likely the majority of Portugal's Goans. Goan conventions to be truly successful have to be joined by the plebeians / proletariat. The colonial attitude of participation by the fidalgos, patricians and the 'gireskai' are long over. Participation by the en-mass can be done. Check out Toronto's Viva Goa! With all due respects if Casa de Goa, Lisbon, had an analysis of the needs of average Goans in Portugal and ways to make the convention have a broad appeal, the Toronto convention could have followed on it; and have had more success. Clearly a lot of effort at both conventions (and other Goan conventions) was put into the pizzaz, with little attention for programs for practical use of the community. Perhaps our conventions need a program sub-committee (among others) apart from the main organizing committee. As an example, at the Toronto convention, were other artists invited to showcase their creative works? What would it have taken to do so? So in addition to displaying our best artist, amateurs Goans can also be given exposure and recognition. I know of Goans who are adept at painting, pencil drawings and stained glass creativity. Some of them sell their art work at museum shops in the USA. Right now, recognition at Goan conventions appears to be given based on whom you know. When will we shed our parochial mind set? Having said the above, the convention organizers should hold their heads high and consider this as a major contribution to the Goan community, and an experience they will treasure. We in turn should thank them for their contributions and service. This, as the baton is passed seamlessly to the next batch / generation of organizers, while the past organizers serve as Chairperson of the Board. Part of a good committee is to train the next group to step-up to the plate. That is where working on sub-committee are good training grounds. Let me call on the organizers to share their own experience (positive and negative) so that future organizers of Goan conventions can learn. Thus we do not repeat the same issues and face the same dilemmas, as was experienced in Toronto and perhaps Lisbon. We need a Goan organization and a convention that serves the community and not the reverse. Regards, GL - maria gomes [EMAIL PROTECTED] When we decided to host the 1st Convention a year ago, in Lisbon, we hoped that there would be a continuation of the celebration of our individual and collective achievements and that someone else would carry the torch. We were therefore very happy when Kevin and Lisette Saldanha offered to do so. If the theme for the Lisbon Convention From Goa into the World set the context for a celebration of our achievements, the theme of the Toronto Convention Goan Identity and Networking Today builds on them to further pursue our quest for an ever changing Goan identity that also takes on board the aspirations of our children in a globalized world where the notion of identity no longer conforms to place of birth or culture of origin. In Casa de Goa, we have been striving to cherish our identity and to make our children proud of their Goan heritage through music as a symbolic element of representation and cultural reconstruction that will hopefully remain an element of cohesion. We know other Goan Associations have been using other tools. The important message is that our children need to be aware of their heritage before they can become proud of it and to be part of the process of culture in the making in the countries where they live.
Re: [Goanet] From Lisbon to Toronto Part I
Dear Gabe, Let me repeat my incomplete message, and add to it: Dear Gabe, To the best of my knowledge, no law governs who may or may not organize a Goan Convention. I did not question Casa de Goa's authority to organize it in Lisbon; I just went, participated, and contributed to the best of my ability. In Lisbon, when Kevin mooted the idea of holding it in Toronto this year, enthusiasm was running high, and many people thought it was an excellent idea. I thought so too. In Toronto, Renee announced his intention to hold it in London next year. Cornel takes umbrage at it, and perhaps some others will. Commissioner Faleiro has apparently announced that it will be held in Australia. He certainly has the right to hold a convention wherever he feels it should be held, but the Goan International Convention is not a Government enterprise, even though the Goa Government does support it with funds whenever it is held; and it should never be an official Government enterprise, because then it will be politicized and eventually wither on the vine. Very best regards, Victor
Re: [Goanet] From Lisbon to Toronto Part I
2008/8/12 Victor Rangel-Ribeiro [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Dear Gabe, Let me repeat my incomplete message, and add to it: Dear Gabe, To the best of my knowledge, no law governs who may or may not organize a Goan Convention. I did not question Casa de Goa's authority to organize it in Lisbon; I just went, participated, and contributed to the best of my ability. In Lisbon, when Kevin mooted the idea of holding it in Toronto this year, enthusiasm was running high, and many people thought it was an excellent idea. I thought so too. In Toronto, Renee announced his intention to hold it in London next year. Cornel takes umbrage at it, and perhaps some others will. Commissioner Faleiro has apparently announced that it will be held in Australia. He certainly has the right to hold a convention wherever he feels it should be held, but the Goan International Convention is not a Government enterprise, even though the Goa Government does support it with funds whenever it is held; and it should never be an official Government enterprise, because then it will be politicized and eventually wither on the vine. Very best regards, Victor Dear Victor, Thank you, for taking the time and effort to respond to my question. Take care. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London.
Re: [Goanet] From Lisbon to Toronto Part I
Hi Victor I took absolutely no umbrage at Rene informing me in Toronto that the next Goan Convention would be held in London. I was most surprised at this totally unexpected news when informed personally by Rene and expressed my reservations about the wisdom of doing so in such a short period of time. I am used to a lead time of about two years to set up a sound base when organising an international convention/conference in a very large city like London. I happen to have organised very successful one-week residential ones in a professional capacity and was therefore awed by Kevin's ability to have generated a very successful Convention in Toronto in such a short period of time. Again, I thank him and his committee sincerely for this major achievement and for something I definitely enjoyed for the intellectual stimulus it provided, for the very appropriate social programme and the networking provision. As to who organises such a Convention is really not my business at all assuming a modicum of support for it is generated to make it a success. Cornel DaCosta, London, UK. --- Victor Rangel-Ribeiro [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To the best of my knowledge, no law governs who may or may not organize a Goan Convention. I did not question Casa de Goa's authority to organize it in Lisbon; I just went, participated, and contributed to the best of my ability. In Lisbon, when Kevin mooted the idea of holding it in Toronto this year, enthusiasm was running high, and many people thought it was an excellent idea. I thought so too. In Toronto, Renee announced his intention to hold it in London next year. Cornel takes umbrage at it, and perhaps some others will.
Re: [Goanet] From Lisbon to Toronto Part I
Hi Gabe Good questions from you that are now at least partially addressed by Victor. I can assure you that were you to organise such a Convention to a really exotic place like Timbuctoo, many people, including me, could not resist the urge to attend. So, is this Timbuctoo Convention a firm offer from you then Gabe? I'd need to start saving up for it immediately. On TV recently, the mystery of Timbuctoo was presented brilliantly and I would have no hesitation in assisting you to organise a Convention there! I am right behind you on this one Gabe! Regards Cornel --- Gabe Menezes [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: QUESTION: I understand how an organisation, like Casa de Goa, were given the honour of hosting the Convention. I have asked this question here to no avail, could you tell me how the Convention was allocated to Canada, what was the basis of acceptability; similarly what was the basis of the, so called allocation to London? All we get is utter silence, on pertinent questions asked. Could I turn up at the next convention and declare that I am taking the convention to Timbuctoo?
Re: [Goanet] From Lisbon to Toronto Part I
2008/8/11 maria gomes [EMAIL PROTECTED]: From Lisbon to Toronto Part I Being at the Toronto Convention was a most enjoyable experience for many reasons. I was not sure I would be able to make it since I was in India on work for 2 weeks immediately prior to the Convention. But we thought it would be important for Casa de Goa (in Lisbon) to be present since, after all, the process began there. And I am really glad I made it! The message from Casa de Goa to the Toronto Convention is self-explanatory and I post it here because in some ways it addresses the issues that have been floating around. QUESTION: I understand how an organisation, like Casa de Goa, were given the honour of hosting the Convention. I have asked this question here to no avail, could you tell me how the Convention was allocated to Canada, what was the basis of acceptability; similarly what was the basis of the, so called allocation to London? All we get is utter silence, on pertinent questions asked. Could I turn up at the next convention and declare that I am taking the convention to Timbuctoo? -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London.
