LUI GODINHO
LONDON: UK Goans look forward to the annual summer festival held in London.
This year an estimated over ten thousand attended the G.O.A Festival held at Cranford, Hounslow in West London. Many travelled from various cities and towns from the UK to meet and enjoy with their friends and families.
This function started with Mass celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Patrick Lynch along with three other Goan priests, thereafter opening the festival was Mr Frank Furtado and Mrs Bella Fernandes, Director of G.O.A Public and Social Relations introduced the theme song “Goan Festival” in Konkani which was composed specially for this festival in Goa. The recording was done in Goa and the introduction dance to this tune was performed by Jason and Sylvia both professional dancers.
The total number of stalls was around 50 plus majority specialising in Goan and Indian food and bars, drinks being served in a very controlled fashion. Apart from the food and drinks stalls, companies like State Bank of India, Air India, LIC Goa, money transfer companies, were among the others present at the festival.
This year’s key highlight was the presence of Consul General of Portugal, Joana Gasper along with her team of over 15 staff who attended this function for the first time.
A marque was arranged near the entrance of the grounds, where consulate staff briefed and assisted Goans holding Portuguese Passports. Many who had heard of their requirements to register through social media with the Portuguese Consulate took advantage of this facility and had their details registered. It is estimated that over 80% of Portuguese Passport holders of Goan origin have not registered with the Portuguese Consulate in London, as this was not a requirement under free movement when UK joined the EU. Unlike other EU states, where one has to register if you settle there. According to sources from the consulate over 200 persons registered, thus making this service better under one roof of the festival and an estimated over 2000 took advice and forms to fill in and post to the consulate, as they did not have required document copies.
The Portuguese Consulate have gone out of their way to make it easier for English speaking subjects to have this service and other information out, unlike in the previous years when many experienced difficulties at the Consulate office for not speaking Portuguese.
In view of the oncoming Brexit, and while the finer details are being ironed out between the UK and EU countries, the Portuguese Consulate is keen to direct their subjects in the right direction. Portuguese consulate is not aware of the thousands of Goans with Portuguese Passport living in the UK, and this will cause an issue once UK breaks from the EU.
Portuguese Consul Joana Gasper address two sets of meetings at the Festival introducing the key points required to be taken by Goans with Portuguese subjects, assisted by Immigration Lawyer Christopher Benn.
She insisted that one should NOT pay any agents to get this free service through her office and to do so before Brexit. Also of what her subjects should do once the British Government Home office launches their website to apply for “ Settled Status” for those having completed five years stay in the UK and those with less period of stay in the UK to apply for “Pre-settle Status” from the British Home offices when the systems goes on line.
The website is still under test and will start initial trials by end of 2018 before it is released into full operation early next year. This requirement is compulsory even for those who have Permanent Residence (PR) from the British Home office.
Failing to apply and acquire this requirement one can be living in the UK as illegal immigrant and may lose all benefits.
During the two sessions, many questions were answered making it clear to the Portuguese Subjects, and clearing any doubts. By 31st December 2020 free movement between the UK and other EU countries will end. The Consulate had their first public address meeting in early July 2018 at Southall Catholic church were an estimated over 600 attended.
Apart from the importance of the Portuguese Citizens, many enjoyed the festival meeting friends and family. It is this once in a year function when many find themselves under one roof to meet.
Goan food, drinks and even fruits were on sale.
Among the other important visitors, were Air Commodore Anil Sabharwal from the Indian High Commissioner’s office, Air India Regional Manager Debashish Golder, representative of Tilda rice which was sold at special rates to the festival attendees.
Ravi Vaz President of G.O.A who took the main responsibility to ensure an exciting festival thanked the crowd and his staff for well-earned fun day.
The closing beat groups Tidal Wave that was sponsored especially for this festival entertained the crowd till pass 8 pm. No incidents were reported and despite the hot weather there were no causalities.
