Goans fight in Qatar and Kuwait for a share of a pie

Sanchia Fernandes, http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/126484-sanchia-bags-honours-at-konkani-singing-contest.html, http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=430113878219&ref=mf a promising singer hailing from Goa is a much sought after artist among the Goan community in Qatar for the last couple of months. Thanks to her singing talent, the Grade eight student has shot into the limelight. From obscurity to fame, it was a matter of hours, thanks to the Konkani Hymn singing competition organized by the Konkani speaking community , owing allegiance to the Our lady of Rosary Church of Qatar.

The winner takes it, and that rings true for the Ideal Indian English School student.

If, earlier her talent went unnoticed, here she was flooded with request to lend her voice to Goan community functions. She has been not only been courted to sing but also to be honoured and felicitated by different individuals owing allegiance to different organizations.

Coming to honours and gifts, what use are the gifts and vouchers if they don’t serve its purpose.

Student winners in 99 percent cases are awarded tools of knowledge by social organization to further harnessed his or hers knowledge. Implements, which come heady to further improve upon his or her skills and talent.

But, some Goan leaders continue to live in the Stone Age.

Sanchia, needs musical implements to take her career to the next level. The wooden trophies will gather dust and white ants will feast on it, but knowledge learnt and gained will remain with her.

But Goan community leaders have hardly any time to apply their mind for these matters. Having her own Guitar is top most on Sanchia’s mind and she is looking for godfather to bail her out. Never mind, Goa community leaders have been robbing guitar’s meant for budding talents like Sanchia and keeping them back home for their sons and daughters.

These days Goan community leaders in Qatar are busy, just like Sanchia. They are trying to reach out to the 9000-odd Goan community.

Unity has never been Goa’s USP; disunity which prevails among Goans in Goa is exported in ample measure through the Persian Gulf from Qatar to Kuwait.

Goans fight over everything - even over issues of terminally sick patients.

The case of Canacona youth Jackson Coutinho is a sad story. The 20-something youth is unaware that appeal for funds for his treatment has created a controversy in cyber space. http://nizgoenkar.blogspot.com/2010/10/financial-aid-for-jackson-rejected-from.html

The issue revolved around bank account or accounts – the legal, moral and local United Arab Emirates issues involved.

Transparency over issues of handling of funds is an issue for Goan organizations in all GCC countries and not a UAE based issue. The recent cases of Qatar and Kuwait come to mind.

Kuwait Goans have washed all their dirty linen in public, involving Carmo Santos, Gasper Almeida on one side and Wilson Coelho on the other side. The Qatar factions have maintained a dignified silence.

Majority of the Goans in Qatar are not concerned about the affairs of the community organizations. If, last year they had only one organization to look up to organize Goa Day and May Ball dance in Goa, they now have chance to attend two Goa Day’s in Goa—Rene Baretto, the creator of Goa Day concept are you listening.

How far the rat race to outdo and do a bigger, better show will end, will tell in the coming years.

And I find these so-called GCC Goan community leaders tactics funny, their ploy of – scratch by back and I will scratch yours policy. Of keeping our news related to rival organizations which go against the interests of their friends.

More of it in another post another time……. Till time trickles.

NB: Supari has become very expensive what’s the price—one lakh, two lakh, one crore? Who, when, whom you must be left wondering, the Goan leader has the answer to your questions. That a million dollar question only to be answered in private, the pimps from Candolim and Calangute belts who are not producers of Supari themselves have upped the ante…….. till then I am waiting for my pan masala. Phew Phew…………………….

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