To: Goanet
Sub: Merger of two Associations in Toronto (GOA/Can-Orient) – Part I Hey Roland! Do understand your point of view, will always be a positive thinker and optimistic in life. Wish to share with you and the readers my experiences and experiments with truth. Way back in late 70’s Goans in Kuwait ventured in the Tourism Industry with a sole aim of generating employment to the sons of the soil least thinking about the returns and economic development of Goa. The intentions were crystal clear “what are we doing for our land way back home”. It should be noted that the fate of Goans in the Middle East is totally different from that of their counterparts elsewhere in the world which must be clearly understood by our brothers in Goa and worldwide (Diaspora). A company was floated “Gulf Goans Hotels Co Ltd”. Kuwait Goans came together and contributed towards the equity. It was named as Gulf Goans with a vision for the future expansion and support. The very thought was that together we can make it happen. We dreamt about a project but had no clear vision at that point in time but a dream in process of socializing. Many of the subscribers were not well to do but came forward with their meagre savings to do something back home with no selfish motive but to move ahead with the idea with the love for Goa. At this point some of our fellow Goans were making mockery of the project and the promoters. This did not deter us from marching forward as the support was tremendous. We did not look back but moved forward with courage and determination. The land was immediately identified in Calangute and acquired immediately. There were lots of hurdles which were duly cleared with the passing of time. The project was not coming up due to rivalry within and there was a selfish motive behind. One must salute Vincent D’Souza who took the initiative to move ahead with the blessings of the honest and trustworthy promoters. It should be noted that this man was always on the forefront on the Goan arena and has done a lot to the community which cannot go forgotten. He was, indeed, instrumental to lead the Direct Kuwait/Goa flight movement with success with the back up of the Community. Personally I did have high admiration for the man and always held him in high esteem besides challenging openly his adversaries telling them to come forward and do it if they can do a better job and not talk behind the back until his faithful day. He portrayed himself as well connected with the rulers of Kuwait and Chief Minister of Goa inferring well connected with Goan politics. He was street smart with no doubts. The project “Hotel in Calangute” with no name at hand at that point in time but now “Hotel Goan Heritage” could not come up and the matter real truth behind was almost in suspense until early 80’ as none of the promoters were aware of the real reason behind the scene. It was in early 80’s that Kuwait Goans Association – Managing Committee caught V. D’Souza in a fraud which was of very serious nature. Some of the members wanted to hush it up as it would be a big scandal. Nevertheless, there were some who took the courage and expose the facts. At this point in time that he challenged the majority and dug grave for himself. He was expelled from the Kuwait Goans Association and thorough investigation was on in all the spheres. Although he did lot of good there was serious misappropriation and manipulation of Community funds out of social gatherings over several years undetected. When he had no were to go, he was shrewd enough to float one Goan Association by bring in all the Goan Football Clubs in Kuwait managed under the name of different, basically, Goan village Associations which was a good weekend pass time for Goan Community in Kuwait being lovers of Footbal inherited from the Portuguese. There was misconception in the minds of fellow Goans “why so many associations” This was the time that it was felt to accept the challenge and move forward to a direction that would be to the best interest of Goa and Goan Community. At this point of time there was a need of financial assistance to a Goan family hailing from Pomburpa. The child had a serious Health problem and parents could ill afford to give the appropriate treatment. The Ministry of Health Kuwait recommended that the patient be taken to UK for further treatment. An appeal was drafted overnight and placed before the Community leaders heading the Football Clubs at a Meeting in Kuwait Sheraton Hotel – Kuwait City, called by V. D’Souza to form one Association of Kuwait Goans in Kuwait. The platform was ably used for the noble cause to feel the pulse of the Community in service of destitute Goans in Kuwait. The response was tremendous with full support from all quarters including the Bishop of Kuwait Francis Mcallef and Kuwaitis through our fellow like minded Goan brothers. Our late Cajetan Rebello, a deep rooted Goan, was instrumental in mobilizing forces to raise funds which go forgotten. Working behind the scene like minded Goans were contacted and brought in to head the new organization. The Goan Welfare Society was born in January that year just before about six months of the fateful Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq sideling the key promoter bringing in awareness of the ulterior motives behind the scene of V. D’Souza who dug his own grave for his fraudulent dealing else would have been unchallenged Hero of Goans in Kuwait. It was in early 80’s the issue of Gulf Goans Hotels Company Ltd was investigated as to why the project cannot see the light of the day. Lot of selfless sacrifices had to be made to make the dream a reality. One of the fellow Goans late Flavio Pimenta, the very first Chairman and Managing Director, hailing from Divar retired, voluntarily, from his lucrative job with Getty Oil Company and came down to take over the reigns of the Company in fulfilment of the dream of Goans in Kuwait. It was on December 18, 1987 that Hotel Goan Heritage was Christened. The name originates from a small book written my Late Shri Enio Pimenta who was a lion in the Goa Assembly than “Goan Heritage” which caught the eye of this writer being closely associated in Goan politics prior to moving to Kuwait to see the greener pasture. The firs CMD left for Heavely abode leaving behind the Heritage and the Goan aristocracy which reflects on the Monument built “Hotel Goan Heritage”. It was the art work and sweat of this man duly supported by the team of Directors. It has successfully completed Silver Jubilee and payed handsome dividends to the Shareholders. The Board of Directors of the Company worked selflessly to ensure the success of the project some of them are no more. Noteworthy to mention that almost all the Directors were from various backgrounds with good Management and Operational skills in different fields or walks of life which has proved with the results. It’s, indeed a matter of Pride to mention that Hotel Goan Heritage was declared as the best project ever financed by the Economic Development Corporation – Govt of Goa Daman and Diu. EDC was always on the forefront to finance any future project promoted by Gulf Goans Hotels Company Ltd. Such is the track record of the Board of Directors and the Company for the last 25 years. There is no doubt that there are serpents in all the communities in the world. There were a handful of serpents with ulterior motives. The majority had the will and enthusiasm to accomplish the mission. The Board duly constituted to manage the affairs of the Company worked hand in hand as a family. Hotel Goan Heritage is the monument which stands on the shores of Calangute overseeing the Arabian Sea with 80% of its employees are Goans. Service with a smile has been the Motto from day one and Goan Hospitality. There is no doubt jealousy and ego we faced boldly and courageous by keeping such characters at bay. No doubt, we are fighting the battles but truth, honesty, sincerity still prevails tomorrow is unknown as they say past is history, present is mystery and future unknown. It should be understood that Honesty – Sincerity – Truthfulness and Trustworthiness are the only real keys for success. We made it to happen. If we can do it why not the Goan Diaspora worldwide. My humble appeal to Goan Diaspora to patronize this Project of Goans website:www.goanheritage.com Email: i...@goanheritage.com Wilson Coelho - To be continued (merger of associations)..... Message: 6 Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 11:14:41 -0500 From: "roland.francis" <roland.fran...@ymail.com> To: "Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994!" <goanet@lists.goanet.org> Subject: Re: [Goanet] Merger of two Goan Associations Message-ID: <3xuyfpadr2ldoi0652qffio8.1394122481...@email.android.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Dear Wilson,? Good to see a post from you after ages. There is reason and then there is reality. You have stated the reason. Why should Goans in the Diaspora not be united in order to become to become more effective on behalf of the community? Now the reality. The demon that plagues Goans has always been Ego. Self before others. Not to say this is overwhelming or overshadowing since silver linings appear to run in the Goan playbook, created by the selfless ones in the community. But these are exceptions to the ugly rule. The unification of Goans in Kuwait if indeed it has occured, must be one such exception. Toronto sadly has been the rule. There have often been unification rumors of CanOrient and G.O.A.but nought has come of them. One of the reasons has been that in Toronto, CanO has been low profile but has gone on to establish a clubhouse where members socialize. GOA has nothing. But to be fair to the latter they were once known (not any more) for events that were broadly patronized by the community. CanO never had this. If both these organizations ponder about what they have in common rather than what keeps them apart, unity is feasible. But that big ugly specter of Ego must be put down first.? I don't see that happening but I, like others, will celebrate if it does.Roland