World Goa Day was instituted to mark the anniversary of the day 20th August 1992 when the Indian Parliament formally accorded Konkani with the status of national language through the 71st Amendment to the eight schedule of the constitution of India. After the amendment to the eight scheduleof the constitution of India, Konkani finally got its due recognition nationally, a milestone for the state that had Konkani as its official state language and also Konkani was recognised as one of the official languages of India since 4 February 1987.
It is that time of the year when most Goans and Goan associations across the world over come together to celebrate an occasion that binds them with one common goal to celebrate ‘Goenkarponn’.
The World Goa Day in London was organised by Amigos Nite on Saturday 20 August at the London Bar Stock Exchange.
The event started with a solo performance on the Violin by the Goan youngster, Joanro Gomes, grand nephew of late Tony Gomes, Bollywood’s first guitarist.
There was a mix line up of Goan artists like Risma Leitao, Noywen Fernandes (one man band), and DJ Velfern Fernandes. There were also two performances by Alida Fernandes, Jessica Da Silva, Milena Dias and Mario Rodrigues on Ghumot.
Goa’s comedy king Agostinho and comedy queen Janet formed two comedy acts and Bladwin Dasilva and Brandon Rato performed one comedy act too.
London based Goa's famous Konkani performers Tommy Afonso (Jr Nelson), Bab Andrew D'souza, Joao De Zuari, Princewell, Fernandes, Andrea D'souza, Aliston Bareto, Nerissa Bareto, Sebastian Fernandes, Eleanora Fernandes and Swinton Fernandes sang konkani songs. All the Konkani artists were backed by London based Goan music director, Framton De Sa.
Rene Barreto (Founder of World Goa Day), Chief Guest and Rev. Fr. Lucas Rodrigues (Chaplain to the Goan Community, Swindon and Parish Priest of St. Peters Catholic Church & Sacred Heart Church), the guest of honour for the evening spoke at the event.
Four prominent Goans in the UK - Rene Barreto (Founder of World Goa Day), Fr. Lucas Rodrigues (Chaplain to the Goan Community, Swindon and Parish Priest of St. Peters Catholic Church & Sacred Heart Church), Clayton Antonio Barreto (Senior Officer, Indian High Commission who is helping in bridging the gap between Indian High Commission and the Goan diaspora and the Goan Associations in UK) and Flavio Gracias (Chair of the Trustees of the GoanWelfare Society UK) were felicitated.
The event was attended by Goans from all walks of life in UK and was packed to capacity. Whenever the opportunity came, the crowds took to the floor to dance.
