EXPAT GROUP ELECTS A TEAM (Courtesy Gulf Times)

Indian expatriate forum Goan Welfare Association (GWA) has elected its new team of office-bearers for the next two years, retaining among others incumbent president Simon D’Silva.  D’Silva, a recipient of the Goan government’s Global Goans Community Service Leadership award has been leading the organisation since its inception in 2001.

The forum president said the organisation would help members’ children learn, speak and write Konkani. “We will also explore ways to assist members of the country’s Goan community,” he said.  The forum sources put the number of Goan expatriates in Qatar somewhere between 9,000 and 12,000.

D’Silva also said the annual May Queen Ball, a beauty pageant , would be held as usual, in the second week of May.  The new team also vowed to attract more tourists from the region’s countries to Goa which is one of the major tourist destinations on India’s western coast.

Adviser and finance controller Allan De Souza presented the financial report while vice president Martin Mascarenhas commissioned the election process.

General Secretary Hazel Rodrigues proposed a vote of thanks.

Goan Welfare Association office-bearers 2011-13: Simon D’Silva (president), Martin Mascarenhas (vice –president), Hazel Rodrigues (general secretary), Allan D’Souza (advisor/finance controller), Cajetan Rodrigues (Director, events), Glorio Fernandes (co-ordinator events), Tania Rodrigues (Director, cultural), Effie Noronha (Secretary, cultural), Edgar Fernandes (Director, sports), Praveen Noronha (Secretary, sports), Paul Fernandes (Director Public Relations & Social activities) and Deepshikha Barretto (Secretary, public relations and social activities).