Report from Percy Ferrao
Daijiworld Media Network – London (SP)

London, Sep 3: The World Goa Day was celebrated at the Friars, Aylesford, UK on August 23.  Fiona Lobo, assisted by her sister Lara Pereira and friends, made the event successful and enjoyable.
 
The objective of holding the World Goa Day specifically for the Goans, is to reflect on their identity, to take pride in being a Goan, and to unite Goans from all over the World, in solidarity, to celebrate Goa's history, language, music, cultural heritage and traditions.

 
The programme for the day began with the celebration of mass. Homily delivered by Fr Andrews reflected on the state of Christianity in Britain today, calling upon people to be culture-conscious and to set aside time to pray in their busy lives.  A talk on resolving ancentral property disputes in Goa by Bosco and Albert Fernandes, was well-received by the audience.
 
Fiona's message to Goans in the UK is to let World Goa Day be a beacon of light and inspiration for future generations of Goans and to live up to their motto, 'I am proud to be Goan,' together with an appeal to the Goans to help make it a reality.