Report by Gasper Crasto; Photographs: Jerald D’Souza & Savious Crasta
Doha: Goa Day events anywhere in the world are great opportunities for Goans or other Indians to dive into Goa’s traditional roots and culture while organizers hold a responsibility to reach out to those audiences who would not usually, or who for reasons of remoteness or access, are kept away from revelling in the main stage activities.
Participation of both artistes and audience is important for achieving success for these kind of events and Goan Welfare Association (GWA) , Qatar under the leadership of its President Simon D’Silva ensured everyone in attendance was involved in celebrating.
As much as it was a day for Goans to focus, take pride and celebrate Goa’s culture, language, traditions, music, and more, the World Goa Day at Mercure Grand Hotel, Doha Qatar turned out to be a riveting evening.
Colorful is the word to describe the event organized by GWA on 19th October 2018.
Kuwait-based Goan delegates and artistes, who visited Doha for the event, were in limelight and much applauded for their presence, presentations and speeches.
COMPERES PERINA & PEROZ PEREIRA ENERGIZE
Lively comperes Perina & Peroz Pereira showed the ideal essence of hosting the event to be Goans first, to build goodwill among fellow Goans, and as GWA President Simon D’Silva put it: to promote love, affection, friendship and ‘Goenkarponn’ among the community.
The two comperes, especially Peroz, was a livewire all throughout and energized everyone with his witty phrases and interactions with the crowd right from the start.
A number of gift vouchers and prizes were disbursed by Peroz to people who answered his quiz questions on Goa and Konkani language.
GOA'S TALENTED NORONHA BROTHERS DELIGHT
The celebration was neatly punctuated by little known Noronha Brothers from Goa, a two-men band - specially flown in for the event.
The talented brothers provided the crowd with a world of rocking, comprehensive music and rhythmic masala of Goan songs and deknnis.
The Noronhas’ performance and presentation can be easily rated as one of the best seen among Goans in recent times – their splendid combination in singing, especially Neevan’s lovely voice and crooning, and the number of musical instruments the boys played wove sheer magic.
KUWAIT MAESTRO’S MAGIC AT THE EVENT
Kuwait’s Music Maestro Succor de Melo performed solo on his lead guitar aided by rhythmic beats; his unique strumming touched the chords of everyone’s heart and watch the musician in awe. While some watched, others danced to the popular numbers played by the Maestro.
Succor de Melo is a professional musician who played for the celebrated Goan band ‘Wings’ and Kuwait’s ‘Top Ranks’ before settling down to play full time for Kuwait Television.
TOP DELEGATES AND CHIEF GUEST
Carmo Santos, a businessman, shipping tycoon, social worker, and Chairman of Goan Cultural Centre – Kuwait, was chief guest at the function.
Known as the ‘Airlift’ man for helping thousands of Goans, Indians and other nationals during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, Mr. Carmo was all praise for Goan Welfare Association (GWA) for the well-organized event.
Mr. Carmo is well-known for organizing the First International Goan Food and Mando Festival in Kuwait through Art & Culture, Government of Goa. He also holds the credit of organizing the First International Konkani Film Festival, and the Global Goans Convention in Kuwait.
In his speech, Carmo wished GWA President and friend Simon D’Silva all success in taking up future events for the Goan community of Qatar.
GUEST OF HONOR TOUCHES GOAN HEARTS
Dynamic Goan from Kuwait Mr. Agnello A.S. Fernandes was Guest of Honor.
Agnello, a Senior Vice President – Fund Administration Dept at Gulf Custody Company, and Board Member of Indian Community Schools of Kuwait (ICSK), applauded GWA and its team for their efforts in conducting the Goa Day event.
In his brief speech Agnello made everyone’s hearts to melt.
Stressing on the fact that Goans in Goa and abroad are simple, fun loving and sincere in heart; and are appreciated for their hard work, honesty and loyalty for having carved a niche in all fields and for standing in par with International intelligence and expertise, Agnello was choked with emotions to mention the current state of affairs and happenings in Goa.
He echoed the mutual feelings of Kuwait and overseas Goans saying, “Goa and Goans do not deserve the mess currently going on in the state. It’s time for Goans around the world to leave aside differences and unite to bring about a permanent change.”
PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Speaking his heart during the presentation ceremony, stylish GWA President Simon D’Silva acknowledged the support of sponsors and well-wishers in organizing the event.
“We hope to continue enriching Goan culture, language and traditions in Qatar with the assistance of every Goan and like-minded people residing in Qatar,” said the flamboyant President.
Simon further added, “I am overwhelmed by the tremendous support given by the GWA Committee, well-wishers and sponsors to turn the World Goa Day – 2018 into a global event.”
CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS
One of the highlights of the evening was a choreographed group dance presented by young dancers donning identical FC Goa jerseys -- performing to a contemporary version of popular song ‘Tum mhojem sukh’.
The group had a couple of more sways dancing to ‘Bangarachen Goa’ and ‘Tiki Taka’.
Participants of the group comprised of Sean Fernandes, Shawn Fernandes, Lavin Tauro, Carol D'Souza, Andrea D'Souza, Elena Noronha, Danica Rodrigues and Chynara Rodrigues.
The kids were trained and choreographed by Effie Noronha.
STAR PERFORMERS & DJ NELSON
There were few but amazing performances at the event by individual artistes.
While Qatar based artistes performed to their full potential, visiting artistes from Kuwait were eyebrow raisers, not to be left behind.
Young and handsome Figo Rodrigues played the keyboard and sang a couple of songs to great applause.
Peppy Pereira sang a sweet solo that brought a kind of Goaness to every Goan present in the hall.
Kuwait’s Esparansa and Gasper Crasto sang two remarkable dancing duets – one on Goa, other a pulsating high-octave song called ‘Rock Star’. Both songs were well acknowledged and admired by Qatar Goans.
Popular Goan John De Sa sang a solo song which impressed everyone in the audience and proved how popular the star is in Qatar.
DJ Nelson played the final session of sound waves catering to the new generation.
GOAN ART AND TRADITIONS ON DISPLAY
An attractively decorated booth on Goan culture and traditions were on display to mark the World Goa Day.
The friendly crowd that attended the function relished every moment of the event taking ‘selfies’ and family portraits of the wonderful backdrop.
Ghumott, the heartbeat of Goans beating worldwide was one of the items on exhibit among other notable artefacts.
SPECIAL INVITEES
Special invitees present at the event included William Aranha, Prakash Noronha, Alloysius D’Souza, Morgan Fernandes and Vivian D’Souza.
Nancy D’Silva, the first lady of GWA, was all smiles among a number of invitees, GWA members, guests and patrons.
FELICITATIONS, HONORS & BOOK RELEASE
The Noronha Brothers -- Nikhil and Neevan Noronha were honored for their excellence in music, and presence at the event.
A book entitled ‘A Rose is Not Just a Rose’ written by Gasper Crasto and published by Amazon.com was released on the occasion.
Mr. Agnello Fernandes released the book in presence of GWA President Simon D’Silva, Carmo Santos, etc.
The book, which was earlier released in Bahrain and Kuwait, is available online (paperback) at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1980212171.
SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS & GWA MEMBERS
Main sponsor of the event was Joaquim Vincent Pinto, Co-sponsors were Milton Pimenta and Allan De Souza and other sponsors were Mercure Grand Hotel, Peroz Pereira and Shimmers Beauty Parlour.
Media partners were Gulf Times, Daijiworld.com and Bellevision.com.
The event was coordinated by ORBIT Events and Marketing.
Goan Welfare Association, apart from its master brain President Simon D’Silva had a number of friendly faces in Seema Rodrigues, Paul Fernandes, Tina Fernandes, Tania Rodrigues, Edgar Fernandes, Olga Fernandes, Elena Noronha, Vincy D’Costa, Cajie Rodrigues, Nancy D’Silva, Celsa D’Souza, Hazel Rodrigues, Effie Noronha, Milton Miranda, Cyndi Pimenta Miranda, etc, among many others.
Kuwait delegates for the event included Agnello Fernandes, Carmo Santos,Carie Santos, Lorraine De Melo, Joao Socorro De Melo, Dalia Alexandra Dmello, Esparansa Barretto, Neeta Fernandes, Miss Angel Rafa Crasto and Gasper Crasto