The Goan diaspora was officially recognized at the House of Commons in the UK as Will Stone MP and Heidi Alexander MP recently hosted the 'Recognition of the UK Goan diaspora ,' co-hosted by Councillors Imtiyaz and Adorabelle Shaikh. The event welcomed 60 key guests to the event, with individuals representing academia and teaching, engineering, armed forces, corporate law, business and entrepreneurship, spiritual leaders, logistics and management and so many more community champions. The day was marked with prayers by Fr Feroz Fernandes followed by a performance by Tommy Afonso (Jr Nelson) and Andre Pedro de Souza (Bab Andrew) on the essence of the Goan diaspora.
British Labour Party politician Will Stone is a Member of Parliament for Swindon North. “I am delighted to host the first Swindon Goan event in Westminster. This event is a testament to the fantastic connections between the Goan community and its elected officials. I would also like to extend my thanks to both Councillor Imtiyaz and Adorabelle Shaikh for their support in making this happen,” said Will Stone, at the event.
Originally from Vasco, Imtiyaz Shaikh, became the first Goan-Indian origin to be appointed as the Mayor of Swindon for 2024 while his wife, Adorabelle Amaral Shaikh became the first Goan-Indian origin to be appointed Borough Councillor and Cabinet Member for Education in Swindon.
Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for transport and MP for Swindon South said, “I’m very honoured to be able to host the Goan community from Swindon and beyond in Parliament, alongside my Parliamentary colleague, Will Stone MP. As the Member of Parliament for Swindon South, I know what a vital contribution the Goan diaspora play to our country’s economic and cultural life. We are so proud in Swindon to have brilliant councillors of Goan heritage and to have one of them, Imtiyaz Shaikh serve as the town’s Mayor this year. Alongside his brilliant wife Adorabelle, they really are a political force of nature and I am proud to call them my friends. I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this special evening happening and look forward to sharing many more special moments with the community in the coming years.”
Imtiyaz Shaikh was happy to see Goans gathered from all over England for their contributions to the United Kingdom. He said, “History has been made by welcoming and recognising the contributions made of all our Goan UK diaspora at The Palace of Westminster on April 8. I am so proud of our journey to UK shores, it has been one filled with a desire to better ourselves. It has been the highlight of my Mayoral year as Mayor of Swindon to be able to see our community being recognised by our wonderful MPs.”
Adorabelle Shaikh said, “It was a matter of pride for me to host the event and our wonderful MPs spoke very highly of the contributions made by our Goan community. Andrew Bab and Tommy Bab sang a wonderful heartfelt tribute to the audience gathered, no other composers have performed at the Westminster Palace. The medals of recognition were presented as a gesture of gratitude highlighting the need to continue remaining united and strong as one global Goan community.”