Goa Sudharop Seniors e-book launch and awards to orphanages(II)

GOA SUDHAROP LAUNCH OF SENIORS e-book AND AWARDS TO ORPHANAGES,

8th MAY 2007 AT MANDOVI HOTEL AT 5.30P.M.

Good evening honored guests,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management of Goa Sudharop, I am pleased and delighted to welcome you to this event of launching Goa Sudharop Seniors e-book, and awards to Goan orphanages at the hands of our USA based co-founder Mr.George J.Pinto.

The Seniors e-book is a collection of nostalgic essays penned by and about seniors from around the world on emotive themes like “Reminiscences of my Goan Youth”, “What I can give back to Goa and Goans”. Also others have written tributes to Seniors whose lives meant a lot for them. The meticulous editing of the book is the labour of love by our writer-Volunteer Miss Valerie Rodrigues. Whilst, the awards are in different amounts to various Goan orphanages who care for and bring up orphans from all Goan communities, including children affected by HIV/ AIDS. actually, these two highlights of the event are the concluding parts of the activities Goa sudharop had planned for the years 2005 and 2006 with the themes “Year of the Child” and “Year of the Seniors”, respectively. This year 2007 Goa Sudharop is  in the process of executing a carefully planned and results- oriented awareness programme at the grass root level on the burning issue of protecting the environment under the theme “Year of the Environment”.

Since its inception, Goa Sudharop has partnered with various NGOs in Goa like Goa Desk, Green Cross, Bailancho Saad, Goa Foundation, Peoples’ Movement for Civic Action and other groups working at Goa’s grassroots level. This premier Goan diaspora organization provides the vehicle that enables all Goans – resident and non- resident – to give back to Goa in the form of time, money and skills.

Besides organization- based projects, Goa Sudharop supports and funds individuals who have done outstanding work in Goa, through the Annual Goa Sudharop Fellowship Awards instituted from the year 2000. These fellowships not only reflect Goa Sudharop’s continuing commitment to certain key issues like children’s and women’s rights, civil rights and the environment, but also allows Goa Sudharop to build living partnerships with outstanding individuals and groups in Goa, all working with a common mission- the betterment of Goa and Goans worldwide.

I am particularly proud and happy to introduce to you and welcome our USA based dynamic and visionary co- founder Mr.George J.Pinto whom we are fortunate to have here to grace this event. I say we are fortunate, because Mr. George is a great lover of Goa and promotes Goa Sudharop almost 24x7 hour basis with infectious passion, despite shouldering heavy responsibilities of his profession and other interests, and yet, he made time to be here from his hectic work schedule and being here in Goa just for two days only!  Mr. George respects and values highly the unique and patriotic roles many of you – present and not present- play in spite of marginalization and struggle against vested interests, to ensure the honour and wellbeing of Goem Mae, particularly at this point of her history. Obviously, therefore, he would like very much to interact with as many of you as possible towards the end of the programme, which I am sure,you will welcome.    

We are also pleased to have some of our past fellowships and awards with us today, and we are grateful for their good wishes and support. Also our grateful thanks to the volunteers, supporters and donors of the World G.O.A.N. network founded by Goa Sudharop. G.O.A.N. stands or Goan Organizations, Associations, NGOs and individuals, who assist in the development of Goa and Goans.

Last, but not the least, our sincere thanks to all of you for specially coming and gracing this event, and to my Goa Volunteer team; Melinda Powel and Valerie Rodrigues and their families for their tireless hard work in putting this event together. Also, a welcome and thanks to our new volunteers; rtn. Bhicu Dessai, Fitness and Stress Management Expert Mr. Mahesh Kamat, and IT Executive Mr. Vincent Gracias Flor, with whose experience and help grateful for all they do. I hope each of us has done our little bit to position Goa and Goans at an advantage. May Goa endure!

Thank You.
Ibonio M.B.D’Souza.