GOANS CELEBRATE 5TH GOA DAY '99 IN STYLE


An annual unique feature for the Goans, by the Goans in Kuwait:

The Goan Welfare Society (GWS) - Kuwait in association with other Goan clubs /organizations,  celebrated in grand style the  5th  annual  Goa Day '99  on 29th  October 1999 at the Indian Arts Circle Auditorium - Funaitees, Kuwait in a unique Goan traditional way.

At the onset, prayers invoking the blessings of the Almighty were offered in  Christian, Muslim and Hindu Goan traditions reflecting communal harmony that prevails and is unique in the Goan community may it be in Kuwait and back home. A hymn in honour of Goa's patron saint, St. Francis Xavier was sung, Faisal Sayed - a Goan hailing from Vasco-da-Gama, recited verses from the Holy Quran. A specially composed prayer 'Bhajan-Sloka' by the Vatsalya Organization and directed by Mr. Dhamji was a special treat to listen to with well orchestrated live music on the tabla and the organ, which was followed by a specially composed opening chorus in Konkani, honouring the presidents and members of the Goan clubs/ organizations with the Goan Welfare Society, lighting the traditional lamp and GWS president, Alex Wilson Coelho, declaring the Goa Day '99 open. This particular item signified and displayed the unity and traditional friendship, typical of the Goans over the decades in Kuwait. This konkani song was composed and directed by Domnic Fernandes & Junifer Rodrigues and supported by Master Jonathan, Ms. Melissa, and Master Jovan.

A  number  of  annual academic awards for 1989-99 to top Goan students for excelling in their respective classes, sponsored by GWS patron member, Mr.& Mrs. Sam Alphonso,  were given to:

Osborn Gomes (Std. XII),  Michelle D'Souza (Std. XII),

Olinda D'Mello (Std. XI), Wilson Iganatius Gonsalves (Std. XI),

Chantelle Marise Miranda (Std. X), Noel Micheal D'Souza (Std. X),

 Christabelle Pinto (Std. IX), and  Myra Antao (Std. IX).

Mrs. Mabel Alphonso,  the  guest of honour, congratulated the winners  of  the  GWS annual  academic awards.  In her brief, well-worded speech in Konkani  and  English, her  message  of 'say no to drug' and  'yes to education' was well conveyed to the  students and their parents and the same was taken with a big applause.

As  part  of  the Goa Day celebrations,  drawing and essay competitions among school children was held at the Jabriya Indian School on 20th October 1999, and at IAC the Konkani Songs  Singing  competition  on subjects of Goa brought in large number of participants from all around Kuwait.

A fancy dress competition for adults, the food stalls, and games of  skills for the young and old kept the Goans busy throughout.  Besides, in  order  to  bring out the best in Goan  cultural art a three hour long variety entertainment stage programme w i t h  special emphasis on Goan folklore, the  Mando, the konkani comedy  skit  and songs brought in nostalgic memories. Judges for the Konkani  Songs  Singing Competition were: Francis de Verna, Junifer Rodrigues, Jose Rod and Mario de Colva.

The Konkani singing competition was conducted by GWS in the morning  under the leadership of Cajetan Pereira - Head of Cultural Cell.  

The winners in Group A are: Marion Elsaban Mendes, Snead Victoria Fernandes, Group B: Graham Rodrigues, Frederico D'Mello, and Group C: Effie Grace D'Mello and Starsky Jude Gomes were awarded with prizes & certificates.

In the English Essay competition,  Sharon Ann Da Cunha and Loren Fernandes stood first and second respectively.

In the Drawing competition, Group A winners: Angel Maria Pallickal, D. Mahiba Shalon and Neeraj Swaroop and Group B winners: Sourav Kumar Beswas, Zulfiya Hamzaki and Nova Thomas John were awarded prizes and certificates.

The variety programme for the morning was ably compered by Julio Cardoso, GWS Vice President and Joseph R. Fernandes (Remy).

The fun and frolic has always been an integral part of the Goan fiesta and so it was not denied to the attendees. The Kuwait's band "Scorpions" kept the young and the old on their toes for a good part of the mid-day. To add lustre to the celebrations, the Goan folklore troupe specially flown in by courtesy of Indian Airlines, headed by Augustinho da Cruz, ably assisted by Luzia Noronha e Barreto and Irineu Dias enthralled the audience with a selection of authentic Goan folklore songs for listening as well as dancing pleasure.
The Goan troupe measured upto the expectations of the attendees and the organizers.

At  the  commencement of the Cultural Programme, a one minute silence was  observed in memory of the departed konkani stage artistes: late C. Alvares, Romeo Mendes, Greg de Candolim and Valerian Mascarenhas. While paying  homage  to  the departed heroes, Cajetan Pereira highlighted their unique contribution to  the  cause  of Goa and Goans besides Konkani language  in particular.  The  programme  was compered  by Cajetan Pereira and Rhonda Fernandes and music  provided  by  Succoro D'Mello and His Jolly Boys.

The  Goan  culinary  art is renowned worldover, the taste of authentic  Goan cuisine was  well laid out at the seven Food Stalls on display outside the main hall. For those who liked to go back to the good old days, Games Stalls (Carmesso) was seen to have enthusiasts spend hours playing games.

Over  one  hundred Goan konkani  artistes including children participated in the Cultural  Programme with group and individual items.  Folk song-dances "Xetkamti"  presented by Curtorcares United, Mando 'Nodrek Nodor Zali Tedna' presented by M.R. Production & Troupe, "Kunbi"  composed and directed by Cajetan Pereira, Konkani song numbers by Joaquim Fernandes of Santos Football Club, Seby Fernandes of United Friends Club, Augustinho Rebello of Colva United Centre, GWS' presentations and Comedy skits (5 parts) by Comedian Nelson, Comedian Mario, Gracy Morais and Augosto Morias entertained  the audience and kept them spell bound in laughter.

Mr. Alex Wilson Coelho  applauded  the support and cooperation extended by the Goan clubs/organizations in Kuwait to the Goan Welfare Society and commended the  assistance  extended by the Indian Embassy-Kuwait as well as the chief guest, Mr. Balram Phul, First Secretary at the Indian Embassy, guests of honour, Mr. Sunny Mathew, a well known businessman, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Alphonso.  Dr. Oliver Qadros and Mrs. Quadros who are leaving Kuwait for good after over 20 years of services to the Ministry of Health and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) respectively were given a befitting farewell and highlighting Dr. Quadros contribution in the medical field. Mr. Coelho also highlighted the 'dream' project of establishing a specialized medical facility in Goa with the cooperation of the Goans in Kuwait, the Gulf region, the medical and technical professionals in Kuwait and back home.  While concluding his speech, Mr. Coelho stressed on the importance of unity among the Goans and advised to shun off differences and ward off the evil temptations to disturbed the peaceful co-existences among the Goan community in Kuwait.

With  an  attendance  of  over  2000 Goans and invitees - a celebration of this magnitude - the organizers recreated an aura of  discipline and organizational capacity which added a touch of Goan ambience and festive mood to the Goa Day '99.

The  organizers  are  thankful to the sponsors, gift donors, well-wishers and above all the advertisers for the Souvenir. The parting music "Adeus" by Augustinho da Cruz and Troupe kept the attendees glued to their seats and requests for more was echoed, thereby winding the function at 7:00 p.m. as per the scheduled programme outline.  With all the above, the hearts of the guests were full of nostalgic memories of beloved motherland. The organizing capabilities of the Goans were well applauded by the crowd, who left with happy memories of the day.

A colourful souvenir was released on the occasion, wherein highlights of GWS activities, messages from the Goan clubs/associations presidents, messages from H.E. The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Mr. Prabhu Dayal, the Hon. Chief Minister of Goa, Mr. Luizinho Faleiro, the Hon. Member of Rajya Sabha (Govt. of India), Edward Faleiro; Glimpses of Goa Day '98, Prize winners of Essay and Drawing competitions held for the Goa Day '98 and brief outline of charitable donations, subjects of importance to the Goan community as well as announcements of the Goan Soccer World Cup 2000 and the 'dream'  medical facility project in Goa by the Goans in Kuwait and the Gulf region, are well presented.

The participating Goans clubs/associations this year ensured safety, security and coordination efforts were praise worthy, and landed its full support to the Goan Welfare Society. These clubs/associations included Goan Overseas Association, Santos Football Club, United Goans Centre, Colva United Centre, Curtorcares United, Navelim Youth Centre, United Friends Club, Clube Recreativo, and CRC Chinchinim.

The best decorated stall award was won by United Friends Club (UFC) for the third consecutive year.  The rolling shield and a trophy was presented by GWS President to UFC  Jt. Treasurer, Hipolito F. Fernandes. Abook stall at the venue by the Pioneer House for Publishing & Distribution-Kuwait displayed the latest books and publications on various of education, technical and the electronic media. A well coordinated effort was made towards organized car parking at the venue in cooperation with the security personnel.  The organizers expressed a deep gratitude and were thankful to  all  who made possible the Goa Day '99 a success.

The visiting Goan troupe was accorded a befitting farewell on October 30th, 1999 by the organizers, and bade 'goodbye' on Indian Airlines early morning flight.

Visit the image section for a wide selection of photographs - Click on the Souvenir above to view the image section.

(Report by Goa-World Team)

CREDITS