SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024
Dolcy D’Cruz
World Goa Day is celebrated by the Global Goan Diaspora across the world on August 20 to commemorate the inclusion of Konkani in the eight schedule of the Indian Constitution by the Indian Parliament on August 20, 1992. World Goa Day was started by the World Alliance of Goan Associations, on August 20, 2000 for Goans over the world to celebrate their culture and heritage. With Rene Barreto, whose vision in promoting World Goa Day was to unite the Goan associations on this day, he spearheaded a movement to bring Goans together on a global level.
“The first World Goa Day was celebrated on August 20, 2000, with the primary objective of uniting Goans from all over to a common celebration and show of solidarity. Though officially August 20 was the set date, the occasion is celebrated the world over, on or around this date. World Goa Day is a wonderful opportunity for Goans all over the world to come together, to celebrate our culture, heritage, cuisine and all good things Goan and review our accomplishments for the global Goan community,” says Rene Barreto.
Gerard Lobo brought in all the Goan associations in Australia together and formed an alliance of Goan Association – Australia. The Goan associations in Australia include Goan Overseas Association, New South Wales (NSW), Clube de Goa, Brisbane, Goan Overseas Association, Western Australia, Goan Overseas Association of Victoria and Goan Association of Australia, Victoria. Goa NSW Inc will celebrate ‘World Goa Day Sydney - Proud to be Goan’, on October 8 at All Saints Parish Hall, Liverpool. The day will include nostalgic Konkani and English songs with various stalls with sumptuous Goan cuisine, Goan mandos, bingo and more. The taste of Goa can be devoured through the Goan dishes like Sorpotel, Sannas, Xacuti, Pulao, rice, Prawn Balchao, Pork Vindaloo, Chouricos, chicken Cafreal, Bebinca and Dodol. Goan Overseas Association of Victoria Inc, that has been serving the Goan community of Victoria since 1979, will celebrate Goa Day today, August 21, at Dandenong North, Victoria, with a skit and a Goan theme fancy dress competition,
St Michael’s Sharjah’s Goan community will present a virtual celebration on September 25. The day will include a skit on ‘Amchem Goem amchi Sonskrutai traditions and culture’. The entertainment factor will include solo and group dances and even songs. In Mumbai, Goan Institute celebrated World Goa Day on August 20 at the Goan Institute at St Francis Church, Dabul, Girgaum with Goan food festival, singing, spot prizes, Goan songs, DJ music and lots of fun.
The official theme song for World Goa Day is also by Jazz Goa. ‘Goa Mhojem’ is performed by Usha Uthup and composed by Colin D’Cruz, with lyrics by Bond Braganza and featuring Bangalore based jazz guitar virtuoso, Gerard Machado. “Jazz Goa has been broadcasting spectacular shows every year on World Goa Day. This year will be very special as the show is hosted by Padmashree Usha Uthup. Songs from her upcoming Konkani jazz album will be a part of the show. The show went live on Jazz Goa’s YouTube channel. The show features over 40 artistes each one introduced by Usha, in her inimitable style. She professed her love for Goa and Goans right through the two-hour entertainer. Many of the videos are spiked with glimpses of Goa that’s bound to evoke nostalgia among Goans living in other countries. The opening and closing songs are very special and not to be missed,” says D’Cruz.
What began as a few passionate friends who came together in a foreign land to share our love for all things Goan officially became a club, CalifornianGoans in 2005. “Our goal has been and always will be to enjoy and share the Goan culture and memories that we grew up with, to create a home away from home, as we adapt to the life and culture here. We have been celebrating WGD since 2012 or 2013 when Rene reached out to us,” says Joseph Lourenco, president of the association.
The CalifornianGoans WGD Picnic 2022 which was held on August 8, started as a good old Goan picnic starts, right on the bus with the picnickers singing to some picnic classics. “For our WGD picnics, we usually rent a bus to take us to the venue and onboard the bus is when the picnic kicks off with people sing picnic songs and get competitive with some Antakshari. This year, the event kicked off with the official WGD song ‘Goa Mhojem’ followed by a traditional Kunbi (Vodekara) dance. This was followed by a fancy dress for both kids and adults. We even had a pattoleo and donne making session where kids were taught the art of making the popular Goan sweets. The day ended with an all time picnic favourite of ours, the Goan ring game. Like all our events, the party continued on the returning bus with the group singing some Goan picnic classics,” explains Lourenco.
The Quebec Goan Association (QGA) was founded on July 17, 1977. The idea was born when certain like-minded individuals who arrived in Canada decided that it was time to give people a home away from home, as they faced the daunting task of starting a new life in a foreign land and adapting to a different lifestyle. Nevertheless, with the support and ideals of fellow Goans, they developed ways to make this transition easier for families through activities that brought a little bit of Goa to the shores of North America.
“World Goa Day has been quintessential in sharing our Goan values with our community. A potluck picnic, rain or shine, in the waning days of summer in Montreal, this event assembles the youth, family and the seniors. At every WGD event, in the past few years now, we have been trying to teach our members Konkani by organising various Konkani quizzes, jokes and riddles and we have the full participation of our community. In 2015, we even had a small Konkani class,” says Blanche da Costa, president of QGA.
This year, they celebrated QGA’s World Goa Day picnic on August 20 at Cap-Saint-Jacques nature park and beach. Games were organized for the children and families and lively music serenaded everyone during the meal. Being the 45th anniversary of the QGA, they honored two members of our community who have been ambassadors for Goan culture.
World Goa Day 2022 was held in London on August 20 at Hounslow Market Place, Hounslow, organised by Simon Rodrigues of Amigos Nite. There was line up of artists comprising Risma Leitao, Noywen Fernandes (one man band), DJ Velfern and Kumbi dance performances. There was also comedy acts by comedy King Agostino and comedy Queen Janet. Rene Barreto (Founder of World Goa Day) was chief guest while
Fr Lucas Rodrigues, Chaplain to the Goan Community, Swindon and Parish Priest of St Peters Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Church was the guest of honour. “It’s a great opportunity given to Amigos Nite by Rene Barreto and Global Goans to organize this event. We are thankful to Rene Barreto for reposing faith in us. World Goa Day is surely a platform to bring all Goans together,” says Rodrigues.
