Goans across the globe unite at World Goa Day

Rene Barreto

World Goa Day is a wonderful opportunity for Goans across the world to come together, to celebrate our Goan identity and to review our accomplishments of the global Goan community.

It all began in 2000, when it was decided to dedicate a day in the year to celebrate our Goan cultural heritage. It is meant to be a day when Goans worldwide focused on and take pride in every aspect of their culture, language, traditions, arts, cuisine, etc.

It is on this day that thousands of Goans remind ourselves of the need to work to preserve our culture and heritage for our children. A day to foster solidarity among Goans all over the world.

Dreams and ambitions take hold more quickly when shared with others. World Goa Day aims to strengthen the cultural roots of Goans and to facilitate their participation in ongoing World Goa events.

We have a lot to offer the world and should not be ashamed of or shy away from our own glorious culture. We are as gifted as any other people, and we should be willing to demonstrate that pride in our actions.

The theme for WGD2022 is ‘Celebrating Our Global Goans’. Let World Goa Day be a beacon of light and inspiration throughout the year and for the rest of our lives. Let us make this our motto ‘Proud to be a Goan’ and live up to that motto.

(Writer is Overall Coordinator of World Goa Day)

World Goa Day: Uniting Goans in Quebec

Melissa and Priscilla Fernandes

The commemoration of World Goa Day is the epitome of reconnecting with our Goan brothers and sisters across the globe. A dream of the original founders of the Quebec Goan Association (QGA), this observance was ultimately immortalised as part of our calendar of events by future committees. World Goa Day has been quintessential in sharing our Goan values with our community. A potluck picnic, rain or shine, in the waning days of summer in Montreal, this event assembles the youth, family and seniors.

Beneath the QGA banner, we speak of colourful memories, singing traditional songs accompanied by talented guitarists, and tasting savoury and sweet dishes from our most talented chefs. Children are enthralled, competing in organised games, chasing each other, biking around the park, and rushing for refreshing treats placed out on tables. Everyone is relaxing in the great outdoors and socialising with friends from the city and abroad.

It is in this spirit of conviviality that we await with bated breath for the 2022 edition of the QGA’s World Goa Day picnic. Scheduled on August 20, we have the pleasure of welcoming our community to the beautiful Cap-Saint-Jacques nature park and beach. All signs point to a gorgeous sunny, summer day to play in the sand and cool off in the waters of the St Lawrence River.

There are games for children and families and lively music to serenade everyone during the meal. There will be delectable dishes to share and opportunities to reconnect with friends.

At every WGD for the past few years now, we have been trying to teach our members Konkani by organising Konkani quizzes/riddles etc. In 2015, we even had a small Konkani class. We also have our Konkani mandos singalong as well.

The QGA participated in the Global WGD online event in 2020 by performing a nice medley of traditional mandos and dulpods. The same year, they also performed Christmas carols in English and Konkani at the Kuswar festival.

Being the 45th anniversary of QGA this year, we will honour two members of our community who have been ambassadors for our Goan culture. We will celebrate a member who has shown kindness to individuals in the community, giving time and effort to help others. We will also acknowledge a member who has made great strides in the business/creative world to put Goans on the map. Recognising these candidates will certainly inspire others to share their skills and love for who we are as Goans.

Californian Goans hold picnic to mark WGD

Joseph Lourenco

The CalifornianGoans World Goa Day Picnic 2022 at Whispering Creek Picnic Area, Don Castro Regional Park on August 8 started as a good old Goan picnic starts, right on the picnic bus with the picnickers singing to some picnic classics.

The event kicked off with this year’s official WGD song ‘Goa Mhojem’, followed by a Traditional Kunbi (Vodekara) dance. This was followed by a fancy dress for both kids and adults and a Patoleo and Donne-making session where kids were taught the art of making the popular Goan sweets.

The main attractions of the day were our Open Mic (Singing, Dancing, Poetry, Skits etc), which brought forth a lot of hidden talents from all ages, as the crowd watched on with their plates full of traditional Goan delicacies like Aad Maas, Chana Ros, green beef and more.

As the Goan Siesta time rolled in, some freshly made Goan Chau, Kapa, Bhoji and Patoleos were there to keep us on our toes and ready for a Goan Ring Game. It was a fun-filled day, especially for kids as they got not only to watch but also participate in our Goan tradition followed by a swim at the shallow beach.

Like all our events, the party did not end at the park but continued on to the returning picnic bus as some of the energetic few sang songs to the tired but happy crowd.

GOAn culture on display at WGD in Karachi

Peter Mendes

The Goinkars Own Academy (GOA) in Pakistan was established in 2000 by Maurice Coutinho when Goans in Pakistan joined hands with a multitude of organisations the world over, to celebrate World Goa Day.

Since its inception, the GOA has been edifying and promoting the distinctiveness and diversity of Goan culture as well as sedulously working at keeping our Mai Bhas Konkani alive.

In early 2020, I was elected as the Academy’s third president and together with my assiduous team, I continue to revitalise Goan culture and our beautiful mother tongue here in Pakistan.

Despite the Covid pandemic, we celebrated World Goa Day in full swing in August 2020, St Francis Xavier’s Feast on December 3, 2020, & 2021 and GOAFEST in July this year, where approximately 300 Goans gathered to celebrate the spirit of Goa Festival. Karachi’s most talented young group of musicians came forward to play instruments for the first time with Goan classical music and songs.

Solo performances by vocalists Anthony Pinto, Melanie Nazareth, Clifford Fernandes and Bella Coelho put the audience into a romantic mood with their euphonious Konkani love songs. A Comedy Konkani Interview Skit crooned by Melba Pinto and acted by Rupert D’Costa brought smiles to people’s faces. Solo songs were also sung by our young rising talent Liberatta Pinto, Duane Fernandes, while Dylan Fernandes and Miguel Nazareth entertained the crowd with their musical skit.

The musical programme continued with the ‘Daring Divas’, Samantha Rodrigues and team rocking the stage with their Mando dance moves. Once again, Melba Pinto along with Clifford Fernandes won the hearts of many with their humorous duo performance on stage. Finally, the Group hit the stage to sing the Goan Masala Medley.

On the menu was the Goan mouth-watering cuisine, Sorpotel & Sannas prepared by the women of G.O.A., Chicken Caldinha, Yakni Pulao, which was relished by all.

Our next big event is World Goa Day which will be celebrated on October 9. We plan to take about 200 members to the Arabian Sea Country Club for a fun-filled day of Goan music, dance and eats. Details on these programmes are available on the Goinkars Own Academy Karachi Facebook page.

WGD with Patoiachem Fest in Madkai

The Festam team organised the Patoiachem Fest in Madkai on August 15 from 11 to 3 pm to celebrate World Goa Day, Independence Day, Our Lady of Assumption, Konkani Day, Ghumtacho Nach and Goenchem Jevonn.

Curated by Goa’s Festakar Marius Fernandes and Gwendolyn de Ornelas, the festival featured Konkani skits, Ghumot workshop, cultural programme, workshops, demonstrations and zero waste fest.

The festival also supported the government in the drive to eliminate single-use plastic and to highlight the economic empowerment of communities, especially Goan youth.

The main aim of the festivals is to bind communities, exchange ideas at the grassroots and revive everything Goan.

WORLD GOA DAY 2022 OFFICIAL THEME SONG

Goa Mhojem

The Official World Goa Day 2022 theme song is ‘Goa Mhojem’, composed by Colin D’Cruz with lyrics by Bond Braganza and featuring Usha Uthup (vocals), Gerard Machado (guitar), Jason Quadros (piano), Colin D’Cruz (bass) and Angelo Colasco (drums).

Watch ‘Goa Mhojem’ at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRr0IYbO6pQ