While we know
that Goan brothers and sisters have traversed and settled in various parts of the world, it was
Qatar which started welcoming Goans and getting them organised, the earliest.
And the love that expatriate Goans have for their motherland
only grows and is preserved by those settled overseas, and Qatar is one of its
finest examples. This manifests itself truly during the annual World Goa Day
Come November 22 and dignitaries will start pouring in to Qatar
for World Goa Day organised by Goan Welfare Association (GWA). After 20 years
of its existence, successfully organizing May Queen Ball and other mega events
in Qatar, GWA is all set to celebrate World Goa Day 2019 with traditional pomp
and splendour on November 22, 2019 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Spearheading the association for 20 years, the president of GWA,
Simon D’Silva feels that Goans who are living abroad have more love for Goa,
its language and culture. Right from the time he held the first May Queen Ball,
he has seen a growth in the number of Goans participating in programs. World
Goa Day was first held in 2003 when Rene Baretto introduced the idea for a
global Goan celebration.
“There have been many programs since the 80s held in Qatar,
right from family parties, football matches, dances and feast celebrations. Our
headlining event of the year is the May Queen Ball which will be completing 20
years in April. As Goans we understand the value of traditions and we try our
best to keep them, alive from this home away from home,” says Simon, who is
originally from Sao Jose de Areal and landed in Qatar after his graduation to
join his father. He was also awarded the Global Goan Community Service
Leadership Award and was recently in Goa as a delegate from Qatar for the
Vibrant Goa investment meet.
Lester Morgan
Fernandes is from Mandrem and works as a General Manager of a multimillion
dollar turnover company in Qatar. “I can still remember the date that I landed
In Doha was March 23, 1991. Since then, Qatar is my second home. We keep Goan
traditions alive in our Qatar home by enjoying our fish curry rice and other
Goan dishes and religious Goan traditions for which I give credit to my wife
for keeping our Goan ways intact at home. For last 20 years, I am associated
with Goan Welfare Association, under the dynamic leadership of Simon and his
enthusiastic committee members, who leave no stone unturned to help keep our
tradiitons alive here” says Lester.
Paul Fernandes is the
Vice President of the Goan Welfare Association, Doha, Qatar. Originally from
Candolim, he has been in Qatar for almost 44 years. “Qatar is my second home.
What I am today, I thank Qatar for it. I feel very proud that I am Goan. The
best time I prefer to be in Goa is during Christmas and New Year. There is so
much happening in Goa during the festive season. But even in Qatar, during Goan
traditions festivals like Sao Joao, feasts, etc, I feel that we are in Goa,”
says Paul, who works in an IT firm as a Technical Manager for the last 25
years.
He further adds, “I
am lucky to be with a part of Goan Welfare Association for last 15 years. The
committee members are from different parts of Goa and most of them are with GWA
for more than 10 years. We have a vibrant president in Simon, who has been
holding the association together for last 20 years.”
From Chinchinim in
Goa, is Walter Dias, Managing Director at Unique Choice, a travel and tourism
company in Qatar. He is also a part of the Goan Welfare Association, Qatar.
“Goans have been exploring the world over; we are three generations outside
Goa. However, from our great grandparents till date, Goa has been our life. The
Goan culture, tradition, food and hospitality still runs in our blood. We fly
to Goa at any given opportunity. We are the ambassadors of Goan tradition
wherever we go. Three generations away and we still say ‘Mog Asum’,” says
Walter who has been living in Qatar since 1987.
Gabriel Fernandes has
been in Qatar for two decades and have been working as Director of Sales and
Marketing at Mercure Grand Hotel, Doha. “Goa has become closer to us after the
launch of direct flights from Qatar and we make it a point at least to visit
twice a year. Even being away, we try to keep in touch through newspapers,
Youtube and social media. The Goan community is also very active with social
functions and sports events which remind us of the local Goan traditions. My
hotel has been supportive in Goan film premieres and Goan tiatr,” says Gabriel,
who finds his roots in Canaguinim in Goa.
Presently, working as
a Legal Assistant to a multi-national Oil and Gas Company, ExxonMobil Qatar
Limited, Natcey Barretto, from Sarzora has been 22 years in Qatar. “Goa is my
birth place and I had the best years of my life in Goa being with my parents
and friends. Indeed, my upbringing in Goa has highly influenced my personality.
I met my life partner in Goa and soon after marriage accompanied him to start
our new journey in Qatar,” says Natcey, who misses her mother dearly when in
Qatar.
However, she feels
that it is not easy to stay rooted to Goa when abroad. “Kudos to Simon D’Silva,
who not only focuses on Goa’s conservation but also strives hard to keep our
culture alive by organizing various social activities in Qatar portraying the
Goan heritage and most importantly recognizing and felicitating the
well-deserved individuals of our Goan community. We are very fortunate to have
Goan Welfare Association in Qatar. I feel it is the most renowned association that
encourages people to bring out their talents to keep the Goan spirit alive even
in the hearts of non-Goans,” she adds.
