> -----Original Message----- > From: Joao Manuel >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.
Since Joao Manuel is a newcomer to Toronto, let me inform him that the International Goan Convention in 1988 was a resounding success. If he can lay hands on the convention souvenir he can see the fine contributions from Goan scholars, and also on the Convention Proceedings, in book form, he will see the work done. Unfortunately, no follow through has been done, except that the International Goan Organization (IGO) was set up and did a couple of projects. The IGO story is another kettle of fish. To imply that Goans hear are "in the dark of regarding their colourful culture and their rich and glorious past" is to make a wild statement. No point in taking a shot in the dark. I would have rather preferred if JM had asked around. It could be true that majority of Goans here and elsewhere care little to ready Goan history. For that Canadians, many Canadians, and I talk about "white" Canadians, are ignorant of this nation's cultural, social and political history. Even their knowledge of geography is shocking. Viva Goa is one good effort in showing our culture. For at least four years, GOA used to host Panjim Caravan at the International Caravan, currently on in the Toronto, but for financial reasons the GOA had to stop it. Hundreds of non-Goans attended pavilion during the nine days. The caravan itself has lost lot of its shine. Even there's no more Delhi Pavilion which was hosted by the India-Canada Association, which has folded. There is some sort of pavilion representing India, and I haven't been to the caravan this year to know how good it is. Goans have taken part in the inauguration ceremony of the SkyDome, the baseball ground, the world's first with a retracteable roof. This is besides a group representing India. Everybody asked where the "Goa country" was, and some non-Goan Indians were angry that the Goan group was allowed to participate as a separate entity. > 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. Unity must be achieved, but it's hard. Like all assocaitions, there's always politics. I have seen from close range many Indian associations and how divided they are. If you see the Sikh community, you'd be surprised at the level of politics they have. There is often some sort of division in organizations, and to have 100 per cent unity would be a miracle. We can only hope, pray and try to achieve unity. Gilbert writes: > > > 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. Gilbert was in Toronto recently, and I don't know if he noticed or was told that the GOA has young blood. I don't about organizations in other provinces or in the US. The "young adults" have done a tremendously good job, though some criticism has been levelled at them and that too coming from seniors. The GOA here is well-structured with an executive and board of trustees, and indepentend auditors. The problem of getting new immigrants into the organization is a challenge. For $40 a year, members ask if they are getting their money's worth. If a member does attend the christman and new year's dances, the membership fees pays for itself because members enjoy discounted rates. Just other day, I was talking to a member of the trustees re: discount for members for Viva Goa. He said there would be logistic problems. A member could buy tickets and give it to non-members friends. And who has the time at the gate to check each's one membership? Anothe way of thinking is that by giving a flat rate for members and non-members, non-members will get a chance to see what GOA is doing and perhaps be convinced to be a member. Hopefully, next year we could have a North American Convention/Conference. I and George Pinto have exchanged some views on it, and I believe it would be on the agenda of the US Goans reunion. I have sounded some members of the GOA and I await a formal letter from Pinto making a suggestion for such a gathering and also topics that could be discussed. I have suggested the date to be during the Viva Goa days, as the programme could be enhanced. The venue is booked for two days, and one day could be used for conferences, workshops, etc. Let's hope this project turns into reality. Eugene Correia __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com ########################################################################## # 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 # ##########################################################################