the goan I network
PANAJI
Not so far back in time, Goan village socials were a rage in Toronto. Such get-togethers used to give a chance to people from Goa, who are settled in Canada, to meet each other and reminiscence about times spent back home in their State.
Over the years, the interest in such rituals dwindled. But, one of the villages, which have kept the home fires burning in Toronto, is Calangute, which is all thanks to the Calangute Association over there. The association recently celebrated its annual function at the Europa Convention Centre on the outskirts of Toronto.
A Facebook post informed that as many as 300 folks from Calangute were part of the gathering. Steeped in the religion of their forefathers, holy mass preceded the revelry and was celebrated by the well known Fr Martin Pereira.
Invocations were to St Alex, the patron saint of the village and the Konkani hymns of ‘conceicao saibini’ and ‘Jesu mojea Deva’ embellished the offerings.
Edgar Dias, president of Calangute Association in Toronto, welcomed the gathering with his opening speech. A commemorative plaque was presented to centenarian, Leonard D’Souza, on attaining the remarkable age of 102. At the event, music was provided by the ‘Amigos’ band. A lot of people started dancing making the most of the nostalgic music.
At the inception of Calangute Association in 1992, John Lobo was its first president. Of the 28 years of the existence of the association, Antonio Mascrenhas has been at the helm of affairs for ten years. It is due to their efforts that annual function is celebrated every year giving a chance to Goans over there to meet each other.
