Xit-Koddi - Mar 2014

The Next President of Young Goans Club.

The Young Goans Club (YGC) is the second oldest expatriate club in Bahrain. It has been in existence for the last 60 years. At one time, it was not easy to get membership of the club. It boasted about a thousand members, and you could get registration only if you had special talent in sports or in the cultural fields. The club was a meeting point for Goans and hosted almost every Goan festivity in Bahrain. The annual elections for the executive committee posts used to witness fierce competition.

In 2007 the authorities imposed a ban on the sale of alcohol at social clubs, and this had a major impact on YGC. The club saw a steady decline in its income, membership and activities. In the past few years, members have shown less interest to take up posts in the executive committee. This has forced the same committee to stay in office for more terms than provided in the constitution of the club.

However, there is a barrage of voices heard from different quarters on YGC affairs. Why are there are no events hosted by the club depicting Goan identity and culture as in the past? Why do we have the same president for so many years? And so on.

Perhaps the time has come to get answers to all such queries, as the YGC has announced its annual general body meeting for this month. Many active past members of the club are no more on the island, and the new generation has not shown much interest in the club’s affairs. This is the only registered institution of Goans in Bahrain, and Goans have the opportunity to show their identity and culture under its banner.

Xit-Koddi (not a newsletter of the club) looks forward to seeing a united Goan community on the island.

Mog Asum !!! 

= GR Crasto 

Goan Carnival in Bahrain: Goan revelry reached its peak, as two identical celebrations of the Goan carnival were held at two different locations in Bahrain. The well-attended festivities at the Papillon Restaurant in Manama and Riffa Goans Compound were held on February 28.

The Carnival celebrations at the Pappilon Restaurant in Manama organized by the CRAB (Claude, Rocky, Alvito & Bonnie) Entertainers, began with a carnival parade led by King Momo (Francis Xavier D’Costa) and Queen (Zulema Fernandes). Among the several entertaining presentations was a cordinha dance performance by Tina and her group, with Alvito and his group presenting a Carnival Samba. There were prizes for the best carnival attire and Jack Dias (Mr. Carnival) and Lita Fernandes (Ms Carnival) came out on top in these competitions to claim the prizes. Aleya was awarded a prize in the child category. Several other spot prizes and gifts for children’s games were also given away.

DJ Lucio was in attendance, while Ashwin Pinto and Abigail Bayross compered the show. Fr. Anthony D’Mello, assistant parish priest of the Sacred Heart Church, was the guest of honour. Young Goans Club president Francis Correia also attended the festivities and complimented the organizers on keeping Goan traditions alive in Bahrain.

The event was co-sponsored by Richies Corner, Rose Fernandes, Max Rosario, Robert Pereira, James D'Silva, Trudy Dias, Vally Lucio Noronha, and supported by Timothy DSouza, Bibiana DSouza, Blake DSouza, Trudy Dias, Valankani V. Noronha, Evita Noronha, Lucio Noronha, Karl Rodrigues, Marissa Gonsalves, Francisco DCosta, Nixon Bayross, Xavier Fernandes, Rubert DSouza, Cajetan Diniz, Lino Nunes, Menino Fernandes and Jack Dias.

In the western part of Bahrain, Riffa Goans kicked off the celebration with the carnival parade led by King Momo (Nigel Dias) and his Queen (Sheena Dias) with princesses Vinoshia and Valesha. King Momo declared open the carnival festivities. The highlight of the evening was a presentation of a ‘Goan Wedding Entourage’ that featured a bride (Enrich Triston), groom (Noah Fernandes), flower girls (Rafaela Mascarenhas and Daniella Sequeira), ring bearer (Smyron Rodrigues), page boy (Edric Dias), maid of honor (Ian Fernandes), best man (Ezeikel Sequeira) and finally groomsman (Flancy Dias) and bridesmaid (Edwin Dias). In a lighter vein, Jonathan Vaz joined the entourage as Sarzora Aunty and Elroy Dias as Doce Lady with Sinder Rodrigues playing the role of bebdo (drunkard).

For the competitions and games held as part of the celebrations, the following prizes were awarded: Edwin Dias and family (best dressed family), Bona Mascarenhas (best dressed female), Elroy Dias (best dressed child) and Denver Fernandes (best dressed infant). Vevel Fernandes and Edward Sequeira were the winners in the games session. DJ Nazareth Gomes spun the discs and Derrick Vaz hosted the event.

Murphy Mascarenhas and Seby Rodrigues contributed towards the decorations while Evans Sequeira arranged dinner. They had only a week in which to prepare, but support from the enthusiastic team contributed to the success of this carnival, according to Sheena Dias, the main organizer of this event. (Pictures from top to bottom: CRAB Carnival organizers, cordinha dancers Tina & group, King Momo & Queen Nigel and Sheena Dias and wedding entourage.)

AGM of Young Goans Club: Young Goans Club has announced its annual general body meeting will be held on April 4, at the club premises in Manama from 6 p.m. onwards. Among the items on the agenda is the election of the executive committee for 2014. The AGM is an open forum for members to seek answers to their queries on any club-related issues and to pass or amend resolutions for the betterment of club and its members.