LONDON
The Golden Goa Association, Southampton, UK, organised the Goa Carnival community event for the 7th time in the maritime city of Southampton in South England on March 1. It was a free entry festival showcasing the rich and varied cultural heritage of Goa.
Alex D’Costa, a senior member of GGAS was selected by the Core Leadership Team (CLT) to be this year’s King Momo and his wife Vice President Maria Assumpta Borges e D’Costa was his official consort.
A carnival parade took place within the premises of St Boniface Catholic Church in Shirley and then the entire entourage along with the revellers entered the church hall to begin the festivities.
King Momo declared the colourful event open by announcing his royal decree “Eat, drink and Be Merry” in both English and Konkani. Popular DJ Richiee in UK, hailing from Aldona, was the entertainer and the revellers enjoyed the different festive genres of dance music.
This year, the CLT introduced three youngsters to compere the event, namely Marissa Noronha, Ralston D`Costa and Cayden Da Costa under the guidance of seasoned anchor and radio host RJ Roque Vaz, General Secretary of GGAS.
Different fun contests were organised and plenty of children participated and spoke Konkani to the amazement of the audience. The judges were Nathalie Sequeira, Bahaar Chivas and Newton Albuquerque.
GGAS also celebrated the birthday of assistant parish priest Fr Jufel Baldado. The Filipino and the Goan community sang the birthday song in the Filipino and Konkani languages for the birthday boy and for all those celebrating their birthdays in March.
Goan families and their friends from the Konkan region homecooked and sponsored the food and drinks. They included GGAS Treasurer Bihula Vaz (cooked Pulao and Chicken Cafreal along with vegetable salad), Wangstone Bosco Dias (Beef Stew and beers), Michelle Effy Desouza (‘Choneacho Ros’), Rita Borges (Chicken Biryani), Vally Da Costa (Chicken Pakoras), Alancy D’Costa (Chicken Sandwiches), Nathalie Sequeira (Pakoras and Samosas), Dina De Souza (Noodles), Steffi De Souza (Goan Beef Chops), Ramona D’Costa (Fruit Salad), Lovely Soares (Jalebis), Alex D’Costa (Pork Vindaloo), Pearl Fernandes (Cupcakes), Nivedita Roberts (Carnival ceremonial cake), Polystar Plastics (100 vegetable samosas) and GGAS President Sebastian D’Costa (soft drinks and water). Nivedita Roberts also sponsored the decoration, balloons and banner.
The early-bird volunteers in the hall were Sebastian, Ramona and Ralston D’Costa, RJ Roque and Bihula Vaz, Maria Assumpta, Allan and Aloysius D’Costa, Nivedita Roberts, Lovyna Soobhang, Bosco Dias and Marissa Noronha.
Sheldon Braganza sponsored the Bingo prize (air fryer), Coriander Lounge restaurant sponsored two meal vouchers and Milnet Monteiro sponsored two gift vouchers. Savio Pires sponsored the spot prizes and a juicer-blender. Main cash sponsors were Polystar Plastics and Dr Tracy Coelho. Besides, Marissa Noronha, Natasha D’Costa, Nivedita Roberts, Ralston D’Costa also chipped in financially.
All the proceeds of the event are being presented to the three priests at St Boniface Church in Southampton as an early Easter gift from the Goan community in Southampton.
