LONDON
A book section featuring a collection of non-fiction books on Goan culture has been added to the Hounslow Library and will be inaugurated shortly.
This will be the second such initiative in the UK, after The Goan Book Corner, a part of the Goan Cultural & Heritage Collection project, was set up the Swindon Council and inaugurated at the Central Library in Swindon on October 9, 2025.
Pamila Rodrigues, a Goan chosen to represent the Labour Party in the Hounslow Central Ward for the May 2026 council elections, has spearheaded this initiative at the Hounslow library.
“I have always felt deeply inclined towards social service and meaningful community engagement. Over the past few years, I have carried a strong desire to see our Goan community more visibly represented across local administration, business forums, cultural initiatives, and many other platforms in Hounslow,” said Pamila.
“Ours is a vibrant and hardworking community, and I have long believed that our heritage, achievements, and cultural contributions deserve wider recognition within the borough.”
“When I received a suggestion that books on Goan culture should be made available at Hounslow Library, I immediately embraced the idea. I felt this would be a meaningful and lasting way to showcase our rich history, traditions, and contributions to society.”
Pamila said her first step was to approach the local MP, Seema Malhotra, and the Leader of the Council, Shantanu Rajawat.
“Both have consistently shown strong support for our community. With their encouragement and assistance, I was connected to the council’s library team, and the real work began,” explained Pamila.
Over the course of more than a year, Pamila attended several meetings, discussed potential titles, carefully considered the selection process, and highlighted how these books would reflect the positive and longstanding contributions of the Goan community in Hounslow.
“It required patience, persistence, and belief in the vision. Today, that vision is close to becoming a reality. A small but significant collection of non-fiction books on Goan culture has now arrived at Hounslow Library and will soon be inaugurated,” said Pamila.
“I sincerely encourage everyone in community in Hounslow to visit the library and borrow these books. This is a proud milestone for us all — a clear sign that the Goan community continues to grow, contribute, and make its presence strongly felt,” she added.
