The Goan Cultural Association was formed to celebrate the Goan culture in Mumbai
In 2010, a group of Goans from Borivali and Dahisar (inMumbai) came together to form an association that was totally dedicated toGoans in that locality. The need for such an organisation arose when JohnFernandes and Albino Monteiro realised that other communities such asMangloreans, South Indians, and East Indians had their own groups thatcelebrated each of their cultures, and there was nothing by the Goans. That’show the Goan Cultural Association (GCA) was born.
According to John, president, GCA, “This association tookbirth to celebrate the Goan culture in Mumbai.” In 2010, GCA didn’t have aproper office from where the team could function. Today, the group isregistered under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950, and organizes its functionson the YMCA ground at IC, Borivali.
The GCA comprises 865 families with a total of over 2800members. In order to be a member, you need to be a resident of the IC Colonythat’s recently extended till Dahisar.
Apart from just celebrating the Goan tradition, GCA hasundertaken a couple of projects that favour the Goan community from Borivaliand Mumbai at large. The project that tops the priority list is a Konkan trainthat will commence from Borivali to Margao. GCA has already made a propositionto the Railway Ministry in Goa and is hoping that this will be achieved by theend of this year. “Many of our senior citizens need to travel all the way toCST in order to board a train to Goa. Hence, we’re in talks with the RailwayMinistry for a line that will start from Borivali that can go up to Mangalore.This will be of great benefit to the Konkan citizens,” John says.
Another project that’s yet to be executed is teachingKonkani to the younger generation. “While Mangloreans speak Konkaniirrespective of whether they’re in Mangalore or not, Goans in Mumbai shy awayfrom mother tongue,” says John, adding, “If we want to keep the youngergeneration rooted to our tradition, we need to start Konkani classes at theearliest.”
The third project that holds priority is to introduce aKonkani television channel to the Goan-Mumbaikars. “Most of the communitiesbroadcast their local channels in Mumbai. It’s high time, Goans know what’sgoing on in their own State,” John asserts.
Since the time the GCA took birth, it has dedicated itselfto promote the Goan culture by celebrating the feast of St Francis Xavier yearafter year with Konkani mass. Additionally, Goa is known for her talent infootball. GCA holds an inter-village football tournament so that the youngergeneration know where they come from. John says, “We stress on having an inter-village tournament so that theyoungsters know where their forefathers came from. Last year, we had 16 villages participating.Players comprised residents of Velim, Cuncolim, Panjim, Sanvordem, Calangute,Navelim to name a few.”
Goa also has a food culture. Goan-Mumbaikars have succumbedto burgers and other fast food. “We want to seduce Goan-Mumbaikars with thetaste of Goan cuisine,” says John, before adding, “The younger generationbarely knows anything beyond fish-curry-rice. They don’t know what xacuti,reshiad bangda or cafreal is. A food festival will enlighten them, so we feel.”
All these aspects are highlighted every 26th January.Families from Borivali and Dahisar get together to celebrate the Goa Nite wherethey dance, eat delicious Goan food, felicitate achievers and party all night.
What’s in pipeline? GCA plans to introduce newer Goanartistes to Mumbai. They also want to invite Mando groups so that thistradition is not limited only to Goa. And lastly, GCA’s president and foundingmembers like Albino Monteiro would like to co-ordinate with other Goanassociations in Mumbai in order to share views to bring together the Goancommunity in this city.
