GLOBAL GOAN CONVENTION (January 3 – 5, 2007)

Every Goan worth his salt needs to touch base with his/her homeland periodically, and this yearÂ’s convention showed how crucial and gratifying such a meeting can turn out to be. Unlike in the past where the same issues appeared to surface year after year without the certainty of complete resolution, at least this time attendees were given the chance to leave the convention with a sense of optimism. And the cause for this optimism was none other than the Hon. Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Shri Eduardo Faleiro. Over the past few months since his appointment to this newly created position in the government, Shri Faleiro has spared no effort to bring unity among the NRGs (non-resident Goans), harmony in their relationships with the government, and the promise of a firm response by government ministers to any NRG concern which is resolvable. The spirit of Shri FaleiroÂ’s dynamic leadership was all too evident in the tone and substance of the 2007 Convention.

Whereas all the plenary sessions were held at the Cidade de Goa, a new element was introduced at this year’s Convention via Interactive Sessions – face to face encounters with Ministers at the Secretariat, Porvorim. The interactive sessions allowed several Ministers to address the delegates and in turn provide answers to questions during the open forum.

The Chief Guests at the Convention were the Hon. Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pratapsingh Rane (at the Inaugural Session), Dr. Wilfred De Souza, Hon. Deputy Chief Minister of Goa (at the second dayÂ’s plenary session), and H.E. the Governor of Goa (at the Valedictory Session).

The Invocation beginning each day’s plenary session was of the highest caliber possible. Patricia Rozario, OBE, is a Goan opera singer based in the UK. At the Inaugural Session she delighted everyone with a spellbinding rendition of Rachmaninoff’s “Song without Words.” Likewise, the performances by Kala Academy and Pilar Music Academy on the following two days, respectively, were indeed outstanding.

The welcome speech of Shri J.P. Singh, IAS, Chief Secretary, exuded a warm and stirring encouragement to NRGs to boost their interest towards their homeland. He quoted from Sir Walter ScottÂ’s poem on Patriotism:

“Breathes there a man with soul so dead Who never to himself has said, This is my own, my native land.”

Vice-Admiral John De Silva, Chairman of the Overseas Employment Agency of Goa, read felicitation messages received from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (H.E. the President of India), Dr. Manhohan Singh (Hon. Prime Minister of India), Smt. Sonia Gandhi (Chairperson of UPA), Shri Pranab Mukherjee (Hon. Minister for External Affairs, India) and Shri Vayalar Ravi (Hon. Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs).

In his introductory remarks, Shri Eduardo Faleiro announced the creation of a new website www.globalgoans.org.in which serves to link his office with the entire Goan Diaspora. Though a few months old and staffed with only 3 persons, his office to date has achieved significant outcomes for Goans, viz., assisting those who are in distress abroad; final settlement of claims from the 1990 Kuwait war victims; recognition of Goa University degrees in foreign countries and their authentication in Goa instead of New Delhi; empowering the Regional Passport Office at Panaji to grant “Emigration Check Not Required” to workers going abroad. Looking to the future, formation of an Overseas Employment Agency, protection of NRG properties during absences abroad, training programs for Goans contemplating emigration, facilitating NRG children to study in Goan medical/dental colleges, and obtaining voting rights for NRGs (particularly those in the Gulf countries) are some of the issues currently in the works.

The inaugural address of Shri Pratapsingh Rane spelled out his vision of Goa for the next 25 years. It is a vision set on the standards of developed nations, a vision of Goans committed to preserve not only Goan identity but also their traditional values of tolerance and communal harmony.

Dr. Wilfred De Souza delved into the inroads made by tourism, which is driven by the timeless charm of Goa. He spoke about some of the new concepts being developed in areas such as: up-market tourism, golf courses, hinterland-heritage-adventure tourism, road network improvement, and the establishment of an International Convention Centre.

In his valedictory address, H.E. the Governor of Goa reminded delegates that the size of this state is very small and its abundant natural assets are beautifully laid out, whereas GoaÂ’s population has kept on increasing at an alarming rate. Therefore the planning for GoaÂ’s future development will require very serious thinking if we want to preserve our gifted heritage for future generations.

The following dignitaries made brief presentations on key issues affecting NRGs:

Mr. Said Salim Al Sinawi, Charge-de-Affairs of Sultanate of Oman to the Republic of India;

The following delegates representing the Goan Diaspora made brief presentations describing the concerns, achievements and activities within their respective organizations:

H.E. the Governor of Goa presented the Global Goans Achievement Awards to the following individuals each of whom delivered an edifying speech which made a deep impression on the delegates.

Dr. Alfredo Bruto da Costa (former Minister for Health and Social Welfare in the Government of Portugal and presently President of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council);

Dr. Narana Coissoro (former Deputy Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament and presently President of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Lisbon);

Mr. Fitz de Souza (a freedom fighter, colleague of the legendary Kenyan leader Jomo Kenyata, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya, and the 2004 recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Puraskar awarded by the President of India);

Mr. Justice Wolfango Dourado (former Attorney General of Tanzania and Chief Justice of the High Court of Zanzibar);

Prof. Damodar R. Sardesai (Emeritus Professor of History, University of California (USA);

Ms. Patricia Rozario (eminent opera singer knighted by the Queen of England with the OBE, and awarded the Asian Women's Award for Achievement in Arts);

Mr. Leslie de Melo (artist, sculptor and painter; recipient of several awards from the Ministry of Arts, Government of Austria);

Mr. Neville Roach (Chairman and CEO of the transnational corporation Fijutsu Australia, and an acknowledged authority on IT and Telecommunications).

It is significant that the distinguished Goans who received the GovernorÂ’s award have come from different countries, thereby enhancing our sense of pride and achievement which constitutes a unifying force for Goans worldwide. This ought to be repeated at future conventions. Recognition of outstanding Goans may well serve as an exemplary reference point in terms of human values, making positive impact on the world and affirming that the idea of being Goan is no less than having the desire to excel and to take pride in one anotherÂ’s achievements.

The evening dinners and entertainment were hosted by the Hon. Chief Minister (at Fort Aguada Beach Resort), by the Hon. Commissioner for NRI Affairs (at Cidade de Goa), and by H.E. the Governor of Goa (at Raj Bhavan), respectively, for the 3 days of the convention.

This outstanding event came to a fitting close with a final expression of thanks delivered by Mr. Rene Barreto.

Delegates who attended the Convention came away pleased with the proceedings and certainly inspired to make their own contribution to the future outcome of GoaÂ’s development. It was generally felt that Goans everywhere should commit themselves to work in harmony with the office of the Hon. Commissioner for NRI Affairs.

Victor Fernandes
GOANWORLDNETWORK