An estimated 1,800 people specially flew to Goa to exercise their franchise
A group of Goans celebrate at an open garden party hosted by the UK Goans Dynamic Group at a park in Southall, West London, on June 9.
THE GOAN | LONDON
Several Goans were involved not just in meetings in the UK to pledge support to the INDIA bloc candidates in Goa, but a significant number also made their presence felt at polling stations in the State as well.
Details have now emerged that an estimated 1,800 Indian nationals who reside as dependents of Goan OCI card holders in the UK specially flew to Goa, spending considerable money, time and effort, to cast their votes at the Lok Sabha polls in the State on May 7.
This was revealed when a number of Goans got together to celebrate the victory of newly elected South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes with an open garden party hosted by the UK Goans Dynamic Group at the park opposite the police station along the Uxbridge Road, Southall, West London, on June 9.
A special cake was cut while champagne was popped to celebrate the victory of Capt. Viriato.
Salvador Pereira, one of the organisers from the UK Goan Dynamic Group, expressed his heartfelt thanks on behalf of all Goans in the UK and to everyone for their support in ensuring the success of Capt. Viriato at the South Goa LS polls.
He also thanked hundreds of dependents and family members of the OCI card holders in the UK for their active participation in the polls.
“Between May 1 and May 6, an estimated 1,800 Indian nationals who reside as dependents of Goan OCI card holders in the UK specially flew to Goa to exercise their franchise at the polls on May 7,” said Salvador.
He also thanked all the NGOs, leaders and activists who worked hard, both in the forefront and backstage, to work towards his campaign and the eventual victory of Capt. Viriato.
While appreciating Michael Bevan D'Silva of the UK Goans as well as Afzar Shaik and Patrick Rodrigues for their constant support, Salvador also expressed his gratitude to the UK Goans for taking time off to attends meetings in support of Capt. Viriato in the UK.
He also had a word of praise for the sponsor of the special INDIA bloc banner designed and sent from Goa, which was displayed at their meetings in the UK.
Appreciating the "three pillars" who also worked hard for the success of Capt. Viriato, Salvador praised Radharao Gracias for highlighting various issues on various platforms, as well as Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and Benaulim MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas who strived to get sizeable leads for the INDIA bloc in South Goa.
In his speech, Patrick said people in South Goa came together, cutting across creed and community affiliations, to give their mandate to Capt Viriato and he also praised the people of North Goa for coming together to vote as one community to save Goa.
“I appeal to all Goans to remain united and to monitor developments in Goa. We would like to convey this message that while we may not be residing in Goa, but our love for Goa has brought us together,” said Patrick.
Michael Bevan D’Silva said the meeting on Sunday was good and positive, as many people were united to celebrate the victory of Capt. Viriato.
“We all decided on Sunday to stay united in the future and grow with bigger and greater support on similar issues which need support from Goans in the UK,” said Michael.
When contacted, Salvador Pereira said the party has been planned not just to celebrate Captain Viriato’s victory, but also to discuss and put forth some demands before the newly elected MP.
Asked what would be their list of demands they would want to place before the new South Goa MP, Salvador replied: “We would want him to protect Goa’s environment and to maintain our Goan identity and culture for our future generations.”
“We would also count on his support to help resolve the issue of renewal of Indian passports of several minor children in the UK whose one parent is an Indian national while the other parent is a foreign national.”
“We will also seek his intervention to request the Government of India to consider dual nationality for OCI card holders, and to allow Indians living abroad to cast their votes from overseas.”
