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I have just returned from the Hindu Goan Convention (Southern California, July 1-3, 2000 at the Hilton Hotel in Irvine next to John Wayne Airport). It was a remarkable success to say the least.
Most of the 200 plus attendees are Hindu and originally hail from Goa,
their ancestors going back several centuries. Many thanks and
congratulations to Dilip Sanvordeker, Sharad Keny, Swati Virginkar, Smeeta
Sardesai, Ratnakar Rege and Suresh Sansguiri for organizing an enjoyable
and memorable Goan convention. Sulaba Salgaonkar (from the
Vasco Salgaonkar family) and Balaji Angle (older brother of Goan Member of
Parliament Ramakant Angle) were especially kind and hospitable to me but
more than their kindness, I appreciated their genuine offer to help with
various Goan causes.
This convention is held once every two years. The next one is in Houston around the July 4th timeframe in 2002. Next year I have agreed to convene and host the bi-annual “Christian/Catholic” convention around July 4th, 2001 in San Francisco. This year’s convention would have had more attendees but the timing clashed with the 1200 attendees of the Konkani convention in Chicago.
The most poignant part of this year’s convention for me is when I stood on stage with our Goan Hindu friends and pledged to work together in the interests of Goa and set aside all religious or other differences. I was amazed at the deep affection and fondness everyone had for Goa. Time and time again, I was asked about the village I am from (Aldona, dad, Moira, mom) and our common history and shared values and culture. We need to work together and ask ourselves often: what have we done for Goa lately? IMHO I don’t believe that beach/drinking visits to Goa, Goan social events count very much for preserving, promoting, and sustaining our great land, although as SFO Goan Institute President I have had to begrudgingly organize such events as we slowly move away to more substantive activities.
The food was exquisite (Goan, including pomfret fish!!). I obtained tremendous support (including pledges of financial support) for the charitable causes I am working on, which is more than I can say for the hot air of mostly words (often unrelated to Goa), and not significant action I see on our Goan cyberfora. I am hoping that our Hindu brothers and sisters will put their wallets and action ahead of merely words alone.
The convention covered a variety of topics including youth issues. I was part of the panel which discussed ways NRGs can help Goa. Victor Albuquerque (Chairman and Managing Director of Alcon. Victor Real Estate, Hotels, Group Resorts from Goa) was a panelist too. Alfred Braganza from Los Angeles was the host of Goan jeopardy at one session and Ferdie Furtado entertained with grand piano music. I urge all Goans to try and attend the Houston convention in 2002, but first, see you next year in July in San Francisco.
George Pinto
July 4, 2000