‘Your Goa 101’ Presentation in Toronto The G.O.A. (Goan Overseas Association) Toronto’s first ever “Your Goa 101” presentation was attended by over 80 Goans in Toronto on Saturday, May 7, 2011. It was ably organized by Marcelina Dias, the Cultural Secretary of the G.O.A. Toronto. Marcelina Dias started the seminar with an introduction of the presentation and the objective behind it. The emcee and facilitator, Rachel Castelino introduced the presenters. Silviano Barbosa, author of the novel, “The Sixth Night” started the session by giving a brief overview of Goa’s history, geography, economy, people, culture, tourism and food. Mel D’Souza, author of the book, “Feasts, Feni and Firecrackers” focused on the assets of our rich heritage and defined the four characteristics of a Goan. This was followed by a Konkani lesson. The English phrases recited by Marcelina were translated by Serah Barbosa in Konkani and then repeated by the audience.This interaction was quite positive and exciting for the audience. A group song depicting the raising of the toast “Uddon Guelem” was sung in Konkani. Marcelina Dias gave a brief background of the origin of the Goan cuisine. The “Know Goa” Participants Presentation was quite impressive with the young Goans Michelle Dias and Rebecca Castelino, who described their own views about Goa, the land, the people and the environment from their recent Goan trip paid for by the Government of Goa. They showed a series of pictures taken in Goa to make their point. Their visits to the University of Goa, mining sites, Legislative Assembly, the beaches, National Parks, Goa Chitra, Bigfoot and other places were highlighted. There were a lot of questions and suggestions from the audience including from the representatives of I.G.O. regarding Goa, what NRIs could do to help Goa and where Goa was heading today. Recent books by Goan authors from Goa and Canada were on sale. A popular DVD “Goa, Pearl of the Orient” by Agostinho Da Cruz was played at the beginning of the seminar. There were a couple of stalls selling Goan sausages, pickles and other Goan foods. There were a lot of Goan crafts and artifacts on display.There was a raffle in aid of Goa Chitra. Renowned Canadian Goan architect Braz Menezes made an announcement of his upcoming “THE MATATA TRILOGY” based on life in Kenya. On the whole this presentation went a long way in terms of the audience participation and satisfaction in knowing a lot about Goa they did not know of. The audience which included some young people indicated that there was a need for continuing this type of discourse so more youth would be aware of their roots and heritage. Silviano Barbosa ******************************* N.B. Sorry I mistyped the name of young Rebecca Castelino who worked very hard along with Michelle Dias, and replaced it with her sister's name "Rachel Castelino" in "The Know Goa" participants..paragraph in my original post.I sincerely regret the error. Rachel Castelino, her sister, was the emcee however. Thanks to all the overseas goanetters such as Rene Barreto and George Pinto for showing a lot of interest in the above programme and emailing me privately.By the way there was a sumptuous meal of pulau & sorpotel and chick peas and also some Goan desserts such as "mandoss" and "goddshem" included in the meal and prepared by Mrs. Goes for this occasion. Silviano Barbosa http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PLO6YQ http://www.oocities.org/goa...@rogers.com/index.htm
