-----Original Message----- From: Joao Manuel Goans have been known to raise futile controversies, in many parts of the world, and there are even different clubs or associations having caste based members. Has any Goan in Canada succeeded in imparting the knowledge of
Konkani to his "brothers and sisters"? Please let me know. However, ever since I settled here, barely two years ago,THERE HAVE BEEN SOCIALS AND SOCIALS, EVEN TWO TWO GOAN SOCIALS ON THE SAME DAY!!!. I have attended some of them, including VIVA GOA, which had a good entertaining value, but the Goans have remained in the dark regarding their colourful culture and thir rich and glorious past. If there were people in Canada already knowledgeable of the Konkani language, then why did they hide their Konkani "lamps under the bushel" Were they waiting for a person like Tim de Melo to start the Konknni lessons to ridicule him, like the proverbial GOAN CRABS? Come on! Let us all, learned or not, gather together and HAVE A FRANK DISCUSSION ON HOW TO BRING ABOUT UNITY among ourselves, instead of using the internet to wash our dirty linen. Regards, J.M. Response: I am glad you are raising the question and we are having a dialogue on Unity among Goans and ipso facto the G.O.A.s. The places I visit both on the east and west coast of USA and Canada I try to find out from Goans on the activity of the G.O.A. in their cities. My impression (and I hope I am wrong) are that G.O.A.s have become inactive and burnt-out. They have become private fraternities of people who have known each other for eons. There is no attempt to recruit new blood and new faces and be involved with new activities. I think this would be useful topic for WGD to discuss in LA. I would suggest the need to develop a G.O.A. template in structure (executive committee, board, trustees) and have it representing Goans across age, sex, geographical background (old immigrants, new immigrants; old expats and new expats) with well defined positions for cultural activities, membership recruitment, Konkani development and interaction with other Goan organizations within the city and across the country, in addition to the usual secretary, finance officer, VP and president. Because G.O.A. in some cities has not advanced in their activities, the new Goans have felt the need to develop new associations and have their own picnics, where there is comradelier and where they are more welcomed. The challenge is whether G.O.A. will have an open and frank dialogue to restructure without being defensive about the past. Goans and GOA has to move forward in the twenty-first century. This would be a great topic for dialogue at the World Goa Day deliberation and celebration in Los Angeles. Regards Gilbert Lawrence. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
