The Global Association of Goans was launched on 11 May 2023 during the 23rd Annual May Queen Ball in Qatar. It was established in the presence of Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Goa’s MLA, and a handful of Goan Industrialists, artists, and professionals. The association was established to create a global community of like-minded Goans around the globe under the presidency of Simon D’Silva and Mangirish Salelkar, the Vice President.
Global Goans Association aims to bring together Goans all over the globe reputed for their dedicated social services, literature, culture, artist, engineers, doctors, academics, industrialists, leading politicians, renowned scientists, entrepreneurs, and persons from different fields to elevate the spirit of the Goan community. Connecting Goans Worldwide and proliferating Goan culture and heritage is the dedicated goal of the association.
“Our vision is to create an umbrella organization to connect and support Goans across the globe. We aim to organize business and cultural events and spread the Goan culture and talk about our rich heritage across the world. Dual Citizenship for OCI passport holders will also be one of the primary agendas.” said Mr Simon D’Silva, the president of the Goan Welfare Association, Qatar. To obtain dual citizenship for the Goan diaspora, Goans from across different continents will be identified and brought together to appeal for dual citizenship to the Indian Government. D’Silva also said that many Goans have already been contacted to support the single-point agenda of appealing for dual citizenship. “Other agendas will be drawn up later,” added D’Silva.
Mangirish Salelkar said that the association is an important tool for the Goans worldwide to create a stronger and more vibrant Goan community.
“Every Goenkar outside Goa has great pride in its culture, traditions, and heritage. We will bring all these people under one roof and be the voice for every Goan. We will facilitate Goans overseas to invest in businesses and start-ups in Goa.” said Mangirish Salelkar, CEO of Umang Group and entrepreneur based in Goa. D’Silva said that they will be accepting global members from July 2023 and will have regional directors designated for every country who will act as ambassadors for GGA and the Goan community. The association currently has regional directors from 20 different countries such as Qatar, Bahrain, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, France, U.K, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Portugal, Germany, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Tanzania, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. The Association intends to expand to every country in the future. Mr. Salelkar said that smart working and career-focused Goans are needed to return to Goa to ensure its governance and development are in the right hands.
