I AM GRATEFUL TO KUWAIT.
Because I went to Kuwait, I made some money.
Because I made some money I managed to get married in time.
Because I went to Kuwait, with my money that I earned in Kuwait thru proper means, I constructed a separate house for my family.
Because I went to Kuwait, I gained some more acquaintances in society.
Because I went to Kuwait, I became what I am now.
Because I went to Kuwait, I managed to unite Goans under one banner to work and to raise funds for the cause of Konkani, Novem Goem, KPA movement in Goa, Goa Cancer Hospital, Direct Flight from Kuwait to Goa, to promote our soccer activities in Kuwait, to establish Kuwait Konknni Kendr, to form Konkani Heritage Kuwait, to help building of Hotel Goan Heritage at Calangute, etc.
Even though I would not rot in Goa if I had not to go to Kuwait because I had strong educational and sporting backing with vast influence in society, yet I feel it is Kuwait that is responsible to make me what I am today. For this reason I am grateful to Kuwait and with this gratitude in mind, 26 years back with my initiative we established an organization called “Goa-Kuwait Solidairty Center” immediately after our evacuation from invaded Kuwait in October 1991, to raise our voice against Saddam Hussein and his Iraq for illegally invading Kuwait on 2nd August 1990.
Because of this movement Goans in liberated Kuwait gained enormous goodwill from the Kuwait government and Kuwaitis. This goodwill must be allowed to flourish further.
To maintain this goodwill and friendly relationship between Goans and Kuwaitis, I am still raising the voice of this friendship by organizing this meeting to mark the Liberation Day of Kuwait on 26th February every year.
Earlier it was in Kuwait but now since the last three years of my return to Goa, I am organizing this meeting in Goa with the participation of like minded Goans. Though the attendance was not much inspite of the enormous benefits Kuwait Goans have gained yet those Goans who felt that Kuwait is responsible for their development in their life, they must be a party to this meet. This is the only way thru which we can show our gratitude to Kuwait from where we earned our sustenance and many are still earning.
MEANTIME, LET IT BE KNOWN TO EVERYONE, IT IS NOT KUWAIT THAT NEED US BUT IT IS WE WHO NEED KUWAIT MORE even though we are working very hard in Kuwait in stringent conditions.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
CONVENOR: GOA-KUWAIT SOLIDARITY CENTER.