GOENKARANCHO EKVOTT - GOA DAY 2002

A unique annual tradition 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 7th annual Goa Day 2002 on 18th October 2002 at the Indian Arts Circle Auditorium - Funaitees, Kuwait in a unique Goan traditional way.

At the onset, prayers invoking the blessings of The Almighty 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, Tony Cordeiro, declaring the Goa Day 2002 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 sung by Jonathan Fernandes, Clifford Pereira, Terrance Gracias, Conchita, Marchita and Carol.
 

A number of annual Educational awards for 2001-2002 to top meritorious Goan students for excelling in their respective classes at the CBSC Board as well as the School Examinations, sponsored by GWS patron member, Mr.& Mrs. Sam Alphonso, were presented to:

Jessica Celina Fernandes (St. XII) – Science, Carmel School Hailing from: Maxem, Canacona;
Alvin Bartolomeo Esteves (Std. XII) - Computer Science, Carmel School Hailing from: Merces, Ilhas;
Nisha Leslie Braganza (Std. XII) – Commerce, Carmel School Hailing from: Sangolda, Bardez;
Floyd Savio Lourenco (Std. XI) Carmel School Hailing from: Corlim, Ilhas;
Merryl Roland Lobo (Std. X) Carmel School Hailing from: Sangolda, Bardez;
Karen Francis De Sousa (Std. X) The Indian Community School Hailing from: Divar, Ilhas;
Carol Mascarenhas (Std. IX) Carmel School Hailing from Pomburpa, Bardez; and
Jocelyn Anthony D'Souza (Std. IX) Carmel School Hailing from Assagao, Bardez.

The guest of honour, Mr. Ram Rattan of Embassy of India-Kuwait, congratulated the winners of the GWS annual academic awards and distributed the Educational Awards.

As part of the Goa Day celebrations, drawing and essay competitions among school children was held at the Indian Community School – Girls Branch, and at the Indian Arts Cirlce (IAC) the Konkani Songs Singing competition on subjects of Goa brought in a good number of participants from all around Kuwait.

At 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 with special emphasis on Goan folklore, the Mando, the konkani comedy skit and songs brought in nostalgic memories.

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

Age group: 5 to 10 years:
1st Prize - Slade Fernandes
2nd Prize - Marion Mendes
3rd Prize - Dale Noronha.

Age group 11-15 years:
1st Prize - Graham Rodrigues;
2nd Prize - Effie G. D'Mello
3rd Prize - Frederick D'Mello.

The large number of entries kept the audience glued to the talented singers. The panel of judges of the competition were: Junifer Rodrigues, Mario de Colva, Francis de Verna and Sylvester Vaz. Goan Welfare Society-Kuwait in association with Goan clubs/organizations take this opportunity to congratulate the winners and the parents of all the participants for encouraging their children. May the love for Konkani always remain.
 

The competitions were held under the direction of Cajetan Pereira, Head of the Cultural Cell of GWS. In the English Essay competition, Effie D'Mello was the winner.

In the Drawing competition, the winners were:
Age Group: 2 to 5 years
1st Prize - Charmaine Almeida
2nd Prize - Karen D'Souza
3rd Prize - Gwendelen D'Souza

Age Group: 6 to 8 years
1st Prize - Fiona Lorenzo
2nd Prize Anushka Prakash
3rd Prize Simona De Sousa

Age Group: 9 to 12 years
1st Prize Joanne Fernandes
2nd Prize Rosanne Fernandes
3rd Prize Jennifer Rocha

Essay:Winner: Effie D'Mello

This annual competitions were held at the Indian Community School (Girls Branch), Salmiya. The variety programme for the morning was ably compered by Julio Cardoso, GWS Vice President and Frankey Gerard Fernandes.

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" started with the musical interlude, and the visiting Goan band "RENEGADE" kept the young and the old on their toes for a good part of the mid-day. The Goan band measured upto the expectations of the attendees and the organizers.

At the commencement of the Cultural Programme, the opening chorus and inaugural song was once again reported. The programme was compered by Cajetan Pereira and music was provided by the Goan Selection, namely Succoro D'Mello, Shavu, Favostino, and Joaquim.

The Goan culinary art is renowned world over, 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 70 Goan konkani artistes including children participated in the Cultural Programme with group and individual items and majority of the presentations were by the Kuwait-Goa Tiatristanchi Sonstha, United Club of Utorda, GWS, AVC Sports & Cultural Association and United Friends Club. The comedy and jokes were enacted by Mario de Majorda and Comedian Philip Pereira, backed by the versatile Jose Rod kept them spell bound in laughter and thought provoking Konkani numbers.

A group dance titled "O Goa" presented by G.W.S. was excellently choreographed and the participants Amanda, Cassandra, Sanaa, Valerie, Kenric, Samatha, Charmagne, Rachel and Mashenka. Konkani songs by Jose Rod, Joe Frank, Zoraster Coelho, Laurente Pereira, Joaquim, Micheal D'Silva, Peter Franco, and Slyvester Vaz and group. A medley by Conchita, Marchita, Carol, Amanda and Neolla was superb. Edward Estebeiro mimickry  "Avaz" was well applauded.

The GWS President, Tony Cordeiro, 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. With an attendance of a few hundred 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 2002.

Gaspar Almeida, GWS General Secretary proposed a vote of thanks. The organizers are thankful to the sponsors, Indian Airlines, for sponsorsing the air tickets of the Goa band, and Leo Bernett (Marlboro), gift donors, well-wishers and above all the advertisers for the Souvenir. Comedian Philip's VCD "Hem Kazar Koslem?" was released by Dr. Neshe Lie of Kuwait Medical Centre in the presence of GWS President, Jose Rod, Theo Fernandes, Luis Cardozo and Violanta Coutinho. This broadway style Konkani musical is the first directorial venture of Comedian Philip.

The cultural programme winded up at 7:30 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. Swashpawan Singh, Award Winners of the GWS Educational Awards 2001-2002, were welll 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 United Friends Club, Chinchinim Villagers Association, Curtorcares United, AVC Overseas Sports & Cultural Association, Colva United Centre and United Club of Utorda participated in the Food and Games stalls, as well as participated in the Cultural Programme. The organizers are very thankful to the local press and newspapers for the excellent coverage given for the event. The best decorated stall 1st prize award was won by United Club of Utorda, 2nd prize by Curtorcares United, and 3nd prize by United Friends Club (UFC).

A well coordinated effort was made towards organized car parking at the venue in cooperation with the security personnel specially hired for the occasion. The organizers expressed a deep gratitude and were thankful to all who made possible the Goa Day 2002 a success. The visiting Goan troupe was accorded a befitting farewell dinner on October 20th, 2002 by the organizers, and bade 'goodbye' on Indian Airlines flight.

(Courtesy: The Times - Report by Lowella Baretto)
Photo By Rewon Gomes