Aliya Abreu
Goans across the world in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the EU and the Gulf countries are thrilled with the latest taste of Goa at their doorstep through ‘Billytoons’ Whatsapp Sticker App.
The project that began over a cup of tea in Dubai for Billy Fernandes and William Britto, has evolved into a Konkani outreach project of sorts. “We have been able to take Konkani to the world. The youth feel connected to the project and share the stickers. We have given a new burst of energy to Konkani, carrying it across the globe digitally,” said an excited Billy talking to ‘The Goan.’ The team also has on board Patrick Fernandes, and has tied up with WHN Digital from Ucassaim.
The app, which was launched on November 22, allows people to share a ‘Goan’ emotion via little cartoons with speech bubbles via whatsapp. The app has cartoons with typically Goan phrases like “Ai Saiba”, “Dev Borem Korun”, and even takes a jibe at the latest scene in Goa with one sticker of a nistekaan holding up a fish and saying “formalin free.”
“Awesome Goan stickers. Thank you so much. Looking forward to some Christmas and New year stickers too,” “Love the Stickers as they capture the essence and emotions of Goa,” “Very good effort to promote our Konkani mai-bhas” are some of the reactions to the app that were shared by Billy.
“The diaspora has felt we have revived Konkani for them and appreciate our good efforts. One lady from the US called to thank us as she was so taken up with the stickers and that we revived her fond Goan memories,” shared Billy.
The app, available for download for free through the Android Play Store, is a collaborative effort by BillytoonsGoa and WHN Digital Ucassaim. The app can be downloaded for free as the team has borne the expenses of creating the stickers, and shares the expenses for creativity tools.
Due to the high demand for the app, the team now meets every second day over a cup of tea to think of Konkani captions. “The craze is getting bigger by the day,” says Billy. “The response was unexpected and we have to reply to almost 350 people on a daily basis. Goans are amazed to see something very creative and connected to their daily life,” he says.
It was the three boys’ love for Goa and their desire to give back to Goa through innovative and creative ways that got them started on the app. When asked if the lads would try out stickers in devnagiri, Billy says that they are open to trying anything Goa-centric.
