The Global Goan Convention 2009 opened in Muscat, Oman on November 5, 2009 under the aegis of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa Eduardo Faleiro and the Ambassador of India to Oman Anil Wadhwa. The Convention is being held at the Indian Embassy, Muscat. The theme of the 2009 Global Goan Convention is dedicated to The Gulf Goan.
GLOBAL GOANS CONVENTION OPENED IN MUSCAT November 6, 2009: The Global Goan Convention 2009 opened in Muscat, Oman yesterday under the aegis of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa Eduardo Faleiro and the Ambassador of India to Oman Shri Anil Wadhwa. The Convention is being held at the Indian Embassy, Muscat on Thursday-Friday, 5-6 November 2009. About 250 Goans from all over the world, and more particularly those residing in GCC countries, are attending the convention, organised by the Goan Community of Oman. The theme of the 2009 Global Goan Convention is dedicated to The Gulf Goan. Inaugurating the Convention Commissioner of NRI Affairs Eduardo Faleiro said that the annual Global Goan Convention was being held to promote the spirit of solidarity and unity among the Goan expatriates and to strengthen their bonds with the motherland. He said that a Global Goan office would be set up in Panaji to function as an apex body and to bring together all Goan organizations, whether established in India or abroad. He called upon all such organizations to identify their representatives in Goa. These representatives will coordinate with the NRI department so that the Global Goan office is set up before December 2010. In his address HE Anil Wadhwa, Ambassador of India expressed his happiness that the Goan Community in Oman is organizing 4th Global Goan Convention in Muscat and they have chosen the Indian Embassy as the venue for this function. Thrice earlier conventions were held in Goa in 2006, in Portugal in 2007 and in Canada in 2008. He said that the Vishwa Konkani Sammelan is also another attraction this year, and so the open house for the Goan community. Ambassador Wadhwa also mentioned the numerous steps that the Indian Embassy in Muscat has taken to provide succor to the needy Indians in the hour of their need. A dedicated wing for the welfare of Indian community, supported by a sizeable number of staff, operates in the Embassy to render financial, legal, logistical, consulting and moral help to Indians in need, and works round the clock. The inaugural session was started with a Goan welcome song by children of Goan community. Mr. Flynn de Lima, President Goan Community in Oman, Dr. Mario de Souza, founder General Secretary of the Goan Community of Oman, were also among the prominent speakers at the inaugural session. ENDS
