BOOK RELEASE: Goans - Making a Difference

BOOK RELEASE:  Goans - Making a Difference


Goa After the Liberation, 50 years on, an editorial by the publisher Hazel Fernandes, brief sums up the five decades which the Goans have encountered since the Portuguese left and bade goodbye in December 1961 after 451 years. Goans, as we know from history, have been migrating to better pastures, outside Estrada de Portuguese (Portugal India) and it is uniquely recorded that Goans have been to Kuwait and other parts of the Gulf region in particular since the mid-1940s. At the official formal release of the first edition of the book entitled ‘Goans – Making a Difference’, the dignitaries headed by the President of Goan Overseas Association of Kuwait, Raymond D’Sa, was full of praise for the initiative taken by Hazel Fernandes to present the book to mark this glorious occasion. Among those who attended were a wide spectrum of personalities from the press fraternity, and internet media.  The programme commenced with Gaspar Almeida doing the honours of introducing the publisher's team, and a brief on the book.  He expressed his proud feelings that this publication is yet again another first the Goans in Kuwait has achived, which dwells on the invidividual efforts and achivements towards their success in the professional lifestyle as well as what they do to the community. "We have to support the efforts of all, whether they are government officials or technocrats as we move forward towards the betterment and prosperity of Goa and Goans".


A wide range of issues from Goa’s Freedom Movement, History of Goa, Reflections on the eve of Liberation Day, St. Francis Xavier, Festivals of Goa, Goa Hindu Festivals, Goa Muslim Festivals, Goan Culture, A Fat Goan Wedding, the Carnival, Goa Music, Goan Food, Goa Water Spots, the Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Goa Spice Plantations, Sao Joao Fest, Goa Tourism, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Konkani essays which included Views and Opinions, Kuwait and Goans, the ever popular statesman from Goa - NRI Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro, Goans in Kuwait, News Media, Goans in Kuwait, personalities in Kuwait from a wide spectrum from sports, theatre, artistes, writers, teachers, doctors, commercial professionals, youth careers, the youngest pilot, upto the recent mega international event, Global Goans Convention 2010 held in November 2010 in Kuwait, takes pride of place.


Due to the overwhelming response, the publishers and the team is all set to have a second edition in the first quarter of 2011. The attendees at the release programme included  Navelim Youth Centre President Agnello A.S. Fernandes, Neeta Fernandes, Norman Noronha, Tony Viegas, Rewon Gomes, Raymond Pereira, Sunoj Nambiar IIK, Gaspar Crasto, Roshan Loreno, Mario Fernandes, Anthony Raymond,  Manager of Darbar Restaurant, Cajetan Pereira, Hazel Fernandes, Domingos Araujo, Jacon Fernandes, Esperanca Crasto, among others, representing a wide spectrum of Goans and the Indian community involved in the banking, finance, trade and commerce, media, and other professions.  Many came forward on the dias and expressed pleasure to be featured in this unique book.

The overwhelming support expressed by Souk V.I.P. Centre, UAE Exchange Co., Sanjiv Kumar, Albano Pinto, Taal Restaurant, Oriental Insurance (Bader Al Mulla & Bros. Co.), Pascal B. Pinto, Oriental Restaurant, Nazareth Brothers, Jacob I. Fernandes [Colva United Centre], English Optics, Fidelis Fernandes [Kuwait Goan Association], Myra-Joel-Monica Elvira-Joseph D’Souza, Kala Mogui Kuwait, AlRashed International Shipping Co., and Ceasar Holidays (Ceasars Travel Group), made the publisher's job much easier. Among the writers whose English and Konkani contributions are included in the book include Lambert Mascarehnas - former editor of Goa Today magazine, Dr. Joe D’Souza, Lino B. Dourado, Pio Esteves, Norman Noronha, John Aguiar, Gaspar Crasto, and Gaspar Almeida, with still photography of the post and pre-liberation of Goa era as well as the natural bounty of scenic Goa.


Raymond D'Sa expressed his views that the concept of putting forward the profiles of the Goans in Kuwait and their organizational capabilities through the various cultural, sports, arts, and literally activities undertaken by their associations for a common understanding of friendship and promoting Goa's rich and diversified cultural goals. "I am impressed with the quality and content of the publication and expressed his full support to continue this good work, he said while he congratulated the team involved in the publication".  A sumptous dinner and thanksgiving prayers winded up the special event at the Darbar Restaurant - Hotel Kuwait Continentatal and everyone took the opportunity to personal exchange season's greetings. To obtain your limited edition copy,  email: goaworldtoday@yahoo.com, fernsfernandeshazed@yahoo.com 

Photos by: Rewon Gomes
http://www.goa-world.com/