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Goanetters meetin in Goa: Panjim, Dec 21 at 12 noon. For details contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 9822 122436.
[An unauthorised report of the Goanetters meet, Goa December 2004]
"Speak here," said Cecil, holding out his mobile and waiting for someone in the group to grab it. My hand went out. Why not counter-bug Aires Rodrigues, for a change ... he had phoned up twice since earlier in the morning.
"Aires, aren't you coming?"
Sounding almost apologetic: "I'm caught up in court..."
"Maria Rodrigues is already here." A long laugh from the other end...
Aires didn't make it for the Goanetter's meet on Tuesday at Clube Vasco da Gama. The papers he had earlier announced to bring around weren't there too. One would have almost thought of attempting light humour on the situation, had the threat of getting caught in the middle of another Ribandar-based Aires and Ivar Fjeld battle-of-words hadn't loomed large.
But a whole lot of others were there. Mario Fernandes of Calgary helped to ensure smooth arrangements at the venue, the central and scenic Clube Vasco da Gama. His brother was there too; as were a couple of Portuguese-speaking friends. Someone tried to interest me in a re-union photo of Goa's footballers of the yesteryears. Wish I had some sporting literacy; but everyone has high expectations of us hapless hacks.
Constantino "Tino" Xavier, the young man doing a great job through his Supergoa.com website in Portuguese and mailing-lists trying to build understanding between Panjim and Lisbon, was there too.
Perhaps Tino has a reason to felt somewhat overlooked -- agism, Lusophobia? -- in this gathering of English-speaking, ex-Gulf, ex-Bombay and ex-Africa dominated Goanetters meeting up there. Christina and team, if you felt the same, then the easy way out is to put it down to a bias against Goans who migrated pre-partition to what became Pakistan ;-)
Really sorry, but then Goanet is growing into an old boy's circuit, even when there isn't one ;-) _VM_ who was threatening not to come actually made it, and realised who Tino was only after Tino left. The good thing about email addresses and regular posters on Goanet is that you don't have to spend much breath introducing them!
Before rambling on, let's start at the beginning...
Whatever else you blame journalists for, they tend to be on time. Sometimes. The first to come in was Nerita Baptista (Herald) and Ramnath Pai Raikar (Navhind). Cuncolkar Silviano Barbosa, author of the novel 'Sixth Night' that introduces Goa -- warts and all -- to the expat new-generation, was there on time, showing some signs of nervousness, much like the bridegroom.
Margaret Mascarenhas, author of the novel 'Skin', came in to release Barbosa's novel, and stressed the need to promote Goan writing. Her words were prophetic. It soon rained books and publications. Besides Barbosa, my long-time colleague Valentino Fernandes (who once liked being called 'Dingo') brought in his book 'How To Be An Instant Goan' (Rs 150, cartoons by Alexyz), after a many-year-long struggle of depending on publishers outside Goa. Julio Rivereido was there, taking on the tip, and had copies of his book of maps called 'Goa Locator' (Rs 20).
"Let's have 30 books for release next year," I joked with Barbosa. He seemed too tired to agree, and not too sure, what with publishing a book on Goa being the risky and loss-prone activity it is. Anyway, if nothing else, Goanet can claim it found its role in giving a platform to those wanting to get into print. There are many who deserve it here!
In addition, Heta Pandit and team (of the Goa Heritage Action Group) brought in copies of their reasonably-priced PARMAL Vol III, a journal of essays about Goa's heritage defined in the broadest sense, priced at Rs 100. Unfortunately, editor Prava Rai of Chorao couldn't quite make it and bring in her infectious enthusiasm with her.
In no time, the corner allocated to Goanet filled up.
Cecil was there, with his one-liners and all. Melinda Coutinho-Powell, Goanet's former Air India airhostess, graced the function. Ana Maria Goswami of the GHAG has been on Goanet since last year, so there were no surprises for her as to what this 'secret society' was all about.
Film-maker Desmond Nazareth came in from Altinho (Panjim). Roland Martins and Lorna, of GoaDesc at Mapusa, came in immediately after a demo over the hazards of mobile phone towers. Vince Andrade, a Vascokar settled in Mangalore, drove down the 400 kms to specially make it for the occasion. He mentioned that Goans-in-cyberspace from the world of chat routinely meet up at Fiplees in South Goa.
Vivian A D'Souza (Shenzi, not to be confused with Goanet Admin member Vivian-a D'Souza of San Francisco) came in algon with fellow Soccoro-kar Carlos D'Silva. Tony and Marina Correia Afonso came in, with the unfailing regularity they've shown to Goanet functions, from Benaulim. But Clinton Vaz (Benaulim) and Tony Martin aka Anthony Barreto (Canacona) couldn't make it and phoned in their regrets.
Mallar-kar Mario Fernandes met up with his fellow villager _VM_. Mario has settled in Goa from the UK and is doing some interesting things in his parts of Divar, including support a music school, getting youngsters involved in dance and football, and much more. Watch out for plans for a January 18, 2005 programme being put up there.
Christina ("but the women are always right") Pinto came in from Australia, with her mum Blanche and brother Brian. Christina, like _VM_ and some others, used to be very active since a very early stage of Goanet. Nice to have them with us, and looking forward to their posts again ...
Journalist Eugene Correa of Toronto was there too, with his blunt comments whenever he felt was was needed. We all took the benefit of his perceptive insights of course. Another journo and freelancer writer (in both English and Romi Konkani) around was Daniel F de Souza, coming in all the way from Vasco.
Joel D'Souza of Assagao, whom you encounter daily through your news-clips service, was very much present, with Clive. Clive had copies of the useful monthly 'FindAll', an events and entertainment guide priced at Rs 5 -- www.findall-goa.com
Journalist Paul Fernandes also came in.
There was a surprise guest too, who declined to
introduce himself for quite sometime, and asked all
to guess who he was. It turned out to be Bosco D'Mello,
Goanet Admin Team member from Toronto.We did miss Philip Thomas of Ribandar. "Everytime I go across a bump on Panjim's main road, I think of his posting," was Melinda's quip. As mentioned earlier, Eddie and Lira Fernandes had to leave, while Ariosto and Vivian(a) Coelho are not yet in.
Stay in touch, watch this space, let's meet for Goanet-2005. FN ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frederick Noronha (FN) Nr Convent Saligao 403511 GoaIndia
Freelance Journalist P: 832-2409490 M: 9822122436
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# Goanetters-2004 meet in Goa. Dec 21, Tuesday. 12 noon to 2 pm. # # Clube Vasco, Near Municipal Garden, Panjim. Pass the word around! # ##########################################################################
