>From an article by Tamara D'Mello in Sunday MidDay, Sept 8, 2002. Excerpts:
"A strand of light leaks in from the grubby windows onto the staircase that snakes up to the first floor. Dust rises at each step. The creaky wooden floorboards and intricately carved banisters remain from the days of Victorian rule. But the signboards strewn around carry a language that influenced the destiny of Mumbai long before Queen Victoria did. Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Navelim, reads one, in Portuguese. Our Lady of the Rosary. "Each migrant community in Mumbai has established its own launch pad, where new immigrants can find their feet, and make their way in the dog-eat-dog city. These associations help them settle in, network, and have a place to call home. "The Grand Club of Navelim, which is what the sign directs you to, is home to a few of the city's Goan migrants. Every Goan village is represented by an association in the city, which means that there are over a hundred of these "clubs", giving migrants the chance to start afresh.... "What dominates the room is the altar. Majestic, elaborately sculpted with a high polish, it pays tribute to the club's patron, Mary. Jose Mario, who is the club's secretary, says that every night at eight, all the members gather at the altar for the rosary. Not doing so may bring severe consequences, he says, including being asked to relinquish membership to the club. "To join the club you must be a Goan Catholic and be recommended by a member. Sons automatically become members if their fathers are. 'Many of us are married bachelors. Since we're away from home, the members of the club become our family,' says Mario. Like any organisation, the club has its rules. Lights-out at 10; the wake-up call at six. Mass on Sundays is obligatory. "St Sebastian's Club, Navelim, is two floors above the Grand Club. Goan food is served there every day, so there's never the longing for a taste of home. Anthony Fernandes, says that on Sundays, they all get together to cook a meal, under his expert direction. His speciality? 'Fish-curry-rice, of course.' Joey Fernandes, another member says that the club is important to them because it means that, 'you're never left stranded in Mumbai'." [Covers communities like the the Mangalorean's St Mary's Catholic Association of Byculla, set up in 1915... another Manglorean club called Milagres... the network of the Parsis including the Parsi Dharamshala, estd 1870...the sixty-year-old Bombay Tamil Sangam...and the Bombay South Kanara Association which is a meeting point for allSouth Kanara Brahmins from the Udipi district. The last named doesn't provide accomodation for newcomers, but serves as an information centre, to further job prospects.] Contact: Grand Club of Navelim 0091.22.2037499 St Sebastian's Club of Navelim 0091.22.2006175 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
