Close on the heels of their recent initiative, the setting up of The Brazilian Cultural
Centre in Goa (Centro Cultural Brasileiro em Goa), the Lusophone Society of Goa
(LSG) organised an international seminar that sought to go beyond just cultural
exchanges.
The non-profit organisation, LSG aims to
disseminate the Portuguese language and the Brazilian culture and strengthen
the ties between Goa and Brazil in all aspects, including the social and
economic ones.
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They recently organised the India/Goa –
Brasil, seminar that focused on ‘Sustainability: Environmental, Social and
Cultural Aspects. The seminar broadly discussed the relationship between
India/Goa and Brazil and looked at the prospect of establishing possible common
projects between Indian/Goan and Brazilian institutions/associations.
There were two types of presentations, one
for locals, which were done in person, and one for Brazilians, which were done
by screening of videos specially prepared by the authors for the seminar, held
at ICG, Dona Paula. This was followed by an interaction with the public.
Former Union Minister Eduardo Faleiro said that Brazil and India
share many similarities while inaugurating the seminar. “Both nations are
developing countries and are among the 10 largest economies in the world, both
have great ethnic and cultural diversity, “said Eduardo.
He further said that presently Brazilian stay in India and about
1000 Indians stay in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “Goa can share Brazil’s interest
football and exchange of football players between the two nations.”
He further pointed out that the two countries share democratic
values and are committed to foster economic growth with social justice. “Being
a member of BRICS, India along with Brazil China and South Africa has initiated
the New Development Bank with the present capital of 10 Billion USD by each
member of the BRICS. This capital will be increased to US 100 billion dollars
in the near future,” added Eduardo.
On that note, he observed that there has been a significant
increase in trade and economic relations between the two countries and added
that there should be a cultural exchange and student exchange programmes of
writers, filmmakers and artistes etc. Eduardo also emphasised the need for the
setting up of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa.
Earlier, Dr Aurobindo Xavier, president of LSG and the head of
the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa made the introductory remarks while the
ICG president Yatin Kakodar, welcomed the guests. The two day seminar had
lectures and interactions on various topics of interest concerning India and
Brazil with special context to Goa being a former Portuguese colony like Brazil
before its independence.
