The Goan Olympics for
outstanding achievement
My dear friends around the Goan world:
ONE OF my pet gripes has been about the lack of a global recognition process to honour outstanding achievement by Goans in the four corners of the world and just as widespread in the fields of achievement.
For want of
a better title, may I suggest a working phrase: Goan Superstars Awards!
I think it
is time we set up an organisation that (a) set up a pilot group of people to do
the ground work in fleshing out the organisation: Secretariat (the admin arm of
the organisation, all the ps and qs of such a global organisation including
setting out the guidelines for who can qualify for the award/s), the Jury (the
final arbiter in naming the winners every four years), the celebrations
committee (to organise the event every four years in a different venue, perhaps
a Goan organisation/s would vie for that privilege), Funding Committee (to
raise funds worldwide to fund the aims and aspirations of the organisation). Perhaps,
the most important task of the pilot group would be to recommend a broad brush
view of the whole project, aims and objectives, ways and means, risk assessment
and management especially in the area of integrity, honesty and the Wisdom of Solomon.
One way
forward could be the Goan Olympics in outstanding achievement with Gold, Silver
and Bronze medals awarded in the various categories (as in education, business,
sport, music, etc, etc)
It will
require an organisation that will be free of the ills that have dogged Goan
organisations around the world for millennia such as petty prejudices, selfish
and petty arguments, abuse of power and the finances and such other ills. In
both the young and senior professionals around the global Goan community I believe
we have the requisite skills and integrity to rise above the mundane and the
pathos of little minds. We have the global professionals who do the community
proud and inspire a new global dream amongst the brilliant budding young Goans
everywhere.
I would
suggest that the initial foray towards such an organisation must be the
canvasing of every Goan organisation anywhere in the world. With the assistance
of such luminaries as Vivek Menezes, Frederick Noronha and other outstanding
personalities, a small team from Goa also is set up to represent home grown
interests.
I am not
for one moment suggesting that the above is gospel. In fact, it is a humble
effort to try and fire the brilliant minds to come up with the answers and make
this dream a reality.
My one
other suggestion is that perhaps the initial drive could come from the young
Goan adults from Canada. The Goan Overseas Association and the organisers of
the Kenya Nite have recently shown outstanding abilities in organising big-time
events. Similarly, the Goan Association UK will also be able to contribute
considerably as will the Goan Institute Nairobi. In the final analysis, it is
not my intention that every Goan organisation is represented but the best amongst
us. The founding genes must be the best amongst us to father and mother an
organisation which will be the best ever.
Please send
me your thoughts at skipfer@live.com.au
I am hoping this is only the spark ... I will walk away if and when an organisation is set up!
I am hoping this is only the spark ... I will walk away if and when an organisation is set up!
FREDERICK NORONHA: FOOD FOR THOUGHT
While I don't count myself as a 'luminary', I do feel that everyone needs to contribute their mite in helping the wider community understand itself and its achievements.
We should all do this at our individual levels.
My fear is that if we wait for all to come together, then this will never happen. I would like to share a modest effort I made some time back in this direction, based on a little bit of documentation and referencing. Kindly see below, FN
FN's 101 cybergoans honours list: New Year Day 2007 ----------------------------------------------------------- Recognising people of Goan origin making a difference the world over
PANJIM (Goa), Dec 31: From coaching top football clubs in Moscow to fighting race discrimination, from becoming Telugu film stars to heading hundred million-dollar technology firms, members of the Goan diaspora are notching up a surprising range of achievements worldwide. This point gets underlined in a new initiative, a list of "101 cybergoans" worldwide, who are making a major mark in diverse fields across many unexpected parts of the globe. Compiled by cyber-journalist Frederick Noronha, the list aims to "acknowledge the contributions by people of Goan origin, regardless of where they are located, and in what field they work". It has been released at the start of the year 2007. Noronha says the listing is based on information emerging in cyberspace. "But much of it is yet to be adequately noticed by readers back home," he says. "It is networks like the UK-based Goanvoice.org.uk, edited by Eddie Fernandes (till recently at University College London), and the 12-year-old volunteer network Goanet (www.goanet.org) that is throwing up a wealth of such information," says he. Some of those on the list aren't even people. But whether men, women, rich or as average as anyone else, or organisations, all have some visible link with Goa. Most are individuals or organisations which have been attracting attention in cyberspace in the past year. Some have passed on long back, but remain in the news nonetheless -- like Kenyan vice-president Joseph Zuzarte Murumbi and the famed Mumbai-based Goan gynaec Dr V N Shirodkar of the 'Shirodkar stitch' fame. "All have done things that deserve to be better noticed back home... if this society is to build more effectively on the talent, resources and brain-power of Goa's diaspora," argued Noronha, commenting on the list released as the New Year gets ushered into Goa. There will be ommissions on this list. There might be even debate over who gets included. "It's a subjective view, and certainly not the last word on the subject. But we do need to start recognising the contribution of people from this small region... where ever they are located, and in whichever field," argued Noronha. Some surprise inclusions on the list are Miss Great Britain (Preeti Desai, 25); CEO of zedo.com Roy De Souza; Symantec senior vice president Francis deSouza; Cognizant COO Francisco D'Souza, Dell Inc manager Andrew Fernandes, Kent busdriver Ken D'Souza; meditation teacher Lygia Monteiro; campaigners against racism and more. Eight bullet-points listed refer to organisations: the alumni BMX (Brittos-Marys-Xaviers) network founded in Toronto; VascokarsUnited mailing list founded by engineer Jen Lewis in Birmingham; GoaSudharop.org from the US; the GoaComputersInSchools Project/Knowledge Initiatives Trust; Tanzanite Goans in Africa; Leonoras Restaurant (run by expat Jerome Mendes, for promoting Goan film); Goenkarancho Ekvott (New Delhi) and even "various kudds still surviving against odds in Mumbai". A special section looks at 'cyber pioneers' among Goans who founded initiatives which make a difference to how Goans communicate and are perceived by the outside world -- Herman Carneiro (Goanet), Marlon Menezes (GoaWeb, GoaCom), Ulysses Menezes (GoaWorld), Eddie Fernandes (GoanVoiceUK). World Under-8 Chess Champ Ivana Furtado, though based in Goa itself, is an exception to this list of non-residents, in view of her achievement, which surprised all, during the past year. "Seen in context, it is amazing that a tiny region like Goa (and its diaspora) could produce such a human resource. It is equally amazing that this talent still goes largely unrecognised back home," says Noronha, involved with cyberspace for the past dozen years. This initiative is expected to feed in wider intitiatives to build networks among Goans worldwide. Below is the list under varied categories: Community-builders, creating social capital ------------------------------------------------------------- * Prof Dr. Jose Pereira, New York researching Goan music and more * Victor Rangel-Ribeiro, author mentoring writers back home * Dr Colin Saldanha, Mississauga, Strong Communities Coalition * Shalini Pereira, 26, Leicester, project on sustainable housing * Dr. J.Clement Vaz, octogenarian, biographer of Goan achievers * Carolann Fernandes, Ontario Coalition of Senior Citizens' Orgns * Domnic Fernandes, Gulf, reminding Goa about her yesterdays. * George Pinto (Ca), building social entrepreneurship in Goa * Basilio Magno, musician, building Goa's image in Spain Technology, enterprise, finance, the corporate world, etc ------------------------------------------------------------- * Roy De Souza, CEO and co-founder, zedo.com IL 60201 US * Romulus Pereira, former CEO Riverstone Networks Inc * Francis deSouza, senior VP, Symantec, enterp messaging mgt group * Francisco D'Souza, COO, Cognizant Technology Solutions * Andrew Fernandes, Dell Inc, US, manager, global business continuity * Tony Fernandes, AirAsia CEO, Malaysia's E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year * Victor Menezes, retired senior vice chairman, Citigroup Inc * Late Avertano Furtado, expat in the Gulf, hotelier in Goa * Francis D'Souza, Maryland, real estate, relocation services. * Gerard Sequeira, director, Canada's largest pension plan, OMERS. * Chris Diaz, Kenya Chartered Institute of Marketing president * Michael Braganza, owner, Berehill Nursing Home in Whitchurch * Trevor D'Mello, NSW, Au. owner, The Yellow Piano restaurant * Anil D'Souza, Ottawa entrepreneur Goans, where you didn't expect them ------------------------------------------------------------- * Preeti Desai, 25, Miss Great Britain * Esperanza & Edwin D'Souza, Toronto. $9.9m Lotto winners * Reita Faria, first Indian to win the Miss World title * Xavier D'Souza, Grand Cayman, bodybuilder * Bosco Santimano (Sarzora), inspiring Diwali in Peebles, Scotland. * Bus-driver Ken D'Souza, Kent, nominated favourite driver * Johncy Menezes (Chandor), Iowa, liquor store in N. Liberty * Laila Rouass, former Channel [V] VJ, model and actress * Susie Coelho, lifestyle expert, author, HGTV host. Model. * Collien Fernandes (24), Germany. MTV host of Dancing on Ice * Lygia Monteiro, UK, teaching meditation for a decade. * Melanie Carvalho, Zambia-born Aberdeen-based artist Cyber-pioneers ------------------------------------------------------------- * Herman Carneiro, founder Goanet. Now researching malaria in Goa. * Marlon Menezes, founder GoaWeb, GoaCom.com and now GoaCom.org * Ulysses Menezes, founder, Goa-World.com webspace for non-profits. * Eddie Fernandes, amazing researcher, editor goanvoice.org.uk Organisations building social capital ------------------------------------------------------------- * BMX, effectively networking alumni from around Mapusa. * VascokarsUnited/Jen Lewis, persistently networking Vasco * GoaSudharop.org, offering new directions to initiatives in Goa * GoaComputersInSchoolsProject (now KIT), an idealistic dream * TanzaniteGoans, Goa's most effective cyber-network across Africa * Leonora's Restaurant, Verna, giving a new life to old Goan film * Various kudds, still surviving against odds in Mumbai, India. * Goenkarancho Ekvott, New Delhi. Fighting race ------------------------------------------------------------- * William Gama, 61, Quantas ex-aircraft engineer, racial suit winner * Anna de Souza, UK. Hounslow's race crime outreach officer * Theodora Monserrate, housemaid fighting exploitation, Bahrain * Tube driver Clement Lobo (50), UK, UKP25K race compensation Political achievers, and attempters ------------------------------------------------------------- * Late Joseph Anthony Zuzarte Murumbi, Kenya's second Vice-President * Pio Gama Pinto, assassinated Kenyan leader, still remembered * Keith Vaz, MP, member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. * Gary Pinto, former boy band member. Family First Party candidate * Troy DeSouza, Victoria, BC, Conservative candidate 2006 * Candidates in Mississauga polls: Patrick Mendes, Dale D'Souza Contributing via academia ------------------------------------------------------------- * Late Dr. Babla Singbal, gifted mathematician, Maths prof, TIFT * Dr. Damodar Sardesai, Professor of History at UCLA * Dr. Sharad Keny, Prof of Math, Whittier College, California * Dr Eddie D'Sa, critical perspectives on Goa and diaspora * Alt.issues: Charles Camara (Sweden, Siddis) Des Fernandes (UK, Kurds) * Dr Teotonio R de Souza, Goa Research Net. Creative talent: making Goa proud ------------------------------------------------------------- * Patricia Rozario, Goa's Bombay-born international soprano * Lorna, Goa's nightingale * Warren Noronha, UK, fashion designer. * David Sequeira, artist, Australia. www.davidsequeira.com * James D'Silva, London, Madonna's fitness guru * Judy Luis-Watson, DC Metro, BluesWork blues, jazz, world rhythms * Ileana D'Cruz, makes waves in the Telugu film industry * Carol Furtado, UK, dancer, female lead in Merchants of Bollywood * Michelle Sequeira, Belgium, high school student, Indian dance World of sport ------------------------------------------------------------- * Thomas Pereira, Norway, nifty footballer, Viking FK * Mariano Barreto, former football coach, Dinamo, Moscow * Indian sharp-shooting footballer forward late Dereyk DeSouza * Saude George, Olympian for Kenya. World of science ------------------------------------------------------------- * Dr Joaquim Goes, scientist, Bigelow Lab Ocean Sciences, Maine * Datta V. Naik, Dean, Graduate School, Monmouth University * Rui J.P. de Figueiredo, Prof EE and CS, Univ of Calif Irvine * Vasudev M Kenkre, U. of New Mexico, panda.unm.edu/kenkre/ * Helga do Rosario Gomes, scientist, blogging from Antarctica Taking human, and soft, skills forward ------------------------------------------------------------- * Sean D'Souza (NZ), CEO, Psychotactics Ltd. author, speaker, trainer * Brendan Fernandes, Ontario, artist. brendanfernandes.ca * Ignatius Camillo, supermodel cum deejay. * Ivana Furtado (Goa), World U-8 Chess Champ, Georgia. * Iggy Tavares, UK, 4000+ fish-related photographs published. Posthumous: not here, but not forgotten ------------------------------------------------------------- * Erica D'Silva (10), NZ, died after cross-country run. Feeding "the world"... ------------------------------------------------------------- * Floyd Cardoz, US, executive chef * Antonio F Fernandes, Manager, Royal India Restaurant, Milwaukee * Barbara Gomes, owner Cumin and Goan Restaurant, Ottawa * Valerie Heredia-Viegas, teaching Indian cuisine in WA, US. * Samir Sadekar, London. Imli's Executive Chef from Porvorim. * Larry Mendonca, Melbourne, "ex-curry king" Health ------------------------------------------------------------- * Late Dr V N Shirodkar, Indian obstetrician 'Shirodkar's operation' * Dr Agnelo Fernandes, Croydon, Fellow Royal College of GPs (RCGP) * Yasmin D'Souza, Canada, researching MMR-autism link * Dr Caje Moniz, UK. clinical director London's Kings College Hospital * Dr Manuel Fernandes, MD, Premier Occupational Healthcare, UK Miscellaneous ------------------------------------------------------------- * Frank Pinto, exec coordinator UNDP Global Environmental Facility * Baroness Frances D'Souza, daughter-in-law of Goa * Richard Rozario, Principal, Mississauga Secondary School
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