Young Goans Club keeps traditions alive in Bahrain

MANAMA

After a hiatus of three years due to the lockdown imposed due to the Covid pandemic, the Young Goans Club (YGC) in Bahrain celebrated the World Goa Day and Bandra Fair at the Baan Saeng Thai Auditorium in Adliya on September 29.

It was a celebration of culture, unity, and community which saw a full-house attendance of people from all walks of life who experienced Goa’s heritage.

Chief Guest at the event was Auduth Timblo, Chairman of Fomento Group of Companies, while the Guests of Honour were Chairman of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Akash Timblo.

[From L to R] Steven Dias (YGC Vice President), Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco (Chairman of Goa Industrial Development Corporation and Curtorim MLA), Auduth Timblo (Chairman of Fomento Group of Companies) and Noel Fernandes (YGC President).

In his address, Auduth Timblo recalled his first trip to Bahrain as a young businessman in 1979 and said this was his second visit to Bahrain.

Stating that the spirit of Goa is alive, he said the huge numbers of Goans across the world are a big force to reckon with and appealed to them to contribute towards the well-being of Goa.

Young Goans Club President Noel Fernandes welcomed the gathering and thanked all those involved in the planning and presentation of the event.

Added attractions flown in specially for the event comprised Goa’s Authentic Voice, Sanio Fernandes from Dubai whose special session kept everyone on the dance floor from start to finish, while DJ Ethax from Scotland kept the crowd going and yelling for more.

The comperes, Silvestre Mascarenhas (Bonny), Angelo Lawrence and Leander Fernandes, got the show going in their unique styles, while local bands ‘3 Notes’ and ‘Muzzik Mania’ entertained the crowd with their music.

Traditional Goan food was available on sale at the food stalls and bustling games stalls ensured that no one walked away empty-handed. Hampers, prizes and cultural programmes were presented throughout the day.

“This event ensured that Goan identity is nurtured and strengthened, while fostering relationships with the broader community in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said YGC President and businessman Noel Fernandes.

YOUNG GOANS CLUB

Commenting on the YGC, Fernandes said it is one of the oldest expatriate clubs in Bahrain formed in 1953.

“It is the sole officially registered Goan community organisation and adheres to guidelines for expatriate clubs and associations, established by the Ministry of Social Affairs, in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Fernandes, who hails from Margao and a former basketball star of the eighties and nineties who represented Goa in all national categories of the sport.

“The club hosts and organises various traditional Goan festivals and events like village feasts and festivals, cultural, culinary, musical and sporting activities, thus providing a wide range of family entertainment.”

“It organises children and youth development activities like toastmaster's public speaking course, Konkani skits, singing activities, and also serves as a place for lonely Goan expatriate workers to visit and mingle with fellow Goans as well as families, children and individuals to get together for the various Goan activities and events.”

Fernandes said the YGC aims to foster and maintain Goan identity and heritage by welcoming, involving and uniting members of all sections of the Goan Community living in Bahrain, with its all-inclusive approach.

“It strives to encourage Goan children born and living in Bahrain, acquire knowledge about Goa. its culture, heritage and its Konkani Language, thus helping to make all its activities & events much fun, enjoyable and interesting, and its programmes even more meaningful to the community."