Sub: World Goa Day (Goa Day) Dear Goanet Members, Pleased to set the records right in view of certain doubts in some minds on the subject based on facts with regards to origin of Goa Day (Cecil is right with his comments). The very first Goa Day was celebrated in Kuwait in October 1995 by GOAN WELFARE SOCIETY – KUWAIT (GWS-Kuwait) with the large patronage of the Konkani speaking community in Kuwait. Dilip Chico’s one-man Band was flown in to perform for the Day and the event was a great success with over 3,000 in attendance. GWS-Kuwait celebrated Goa Day in Kuwait since 1995 every year with Food Festival, Drawing contest, Singing Contest to preserve Goan Culture, Goan Cultural Program with local talents/artists. Goan Stars were also specially brought for the function to add flavor. The month of October was chosen for the convenience of the Goan Community settled in Kuwait. It was held year after year but stopped lately in compliance with the local laws prohibiting such activities in Kuwait. GWS – Kuwait had an ambitious plan to promote Goan culture among Goans leaving in Kuwait and way back home to establish a Goan NRI City with like minds with all the basic facilities like, school, library, ground, health facility, etc. The undersigned Managed the affairs of GWS with a strong team of 12 members as President/associate to make room for New Blood after the liberation of Kuwait in 1991until retirement in June 2010. There is no doubt that Rene Barreto came up with the idea, thereafter, to transform it to World Goa Day to celebrate the same in August every year which idea was well supported by GWS-Kuwait to united Goans worldwide. To: goanet <goa...@goanet.org> Subject: [Goanet] World Goa Day Message-ID:<can41todutwqdo5o_olsdv4qb3cevccfbn3jbzdtenqrvuab...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
While there are conflicting opinions on whether Goa Day was founded by Goa Sudharop or Rene Baretto there is another aspect to the matter. >From my limited knowledge the Gulf Goans had mooted the idea many years before Rene. It was celebrated by the Goan Welfare Society in Kuwait and also by the Qatar Goans. Cheers! Cecil Sent from Outlook<http://aka.ms/weboutlook>
