St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, in association with Fundação Oriente and Instituto Camões celebrated ‘Portuguese Day’ on 1st of September 2010.

The theme of the event was ‘Dia dedicado a Lingua e Cultura Portuguesa, depicting the Portuguese language and culture. The Chief Guest was Dr.Paulo Pocinho Neves, Consul General of Portugal in Goa and Dr. Eduardo Kol de Carvalho, delegate of Fundação Oriente as the guest of honor. Dr. Delfim Correia da Silva, Director of Instituto Camões was also present. Besides, it was attended by other dignitaries, lecturers and students from various schools, higher secondary schools and colleges all over Goa.

The Principal, Dr. Fr. Walter de Sá, welcomed the dignitaries and the student-participants from High Schools and Higher Secondary schools from all over Goa. He stated that since the inception of the college, a Department of Portuguese Language and Literature was set up, mainly to promote and preserve Portuguese Language and Culture as well as to enable those interested to specialize in Portuguese language at the graduation level. He also recalled that the University of Mumbai, then, had permitted the College to register candidates for M.A. in Portuguese, besides M.A. in English and Philosophy. However, he lamented that many languages are now on the verge of extinction throughout the world and, as such, the United Nations had observed the International Day of Languages in 2008 with an aim to revive the less spoken languages; he also regretted the lack of good Portuguese language teachers, thus affecting the teaching of Portuguese language in schools, higher secondary schools and colleges.

The Consul General appealed to the students to dedicate time to learn Portuguese language, while the Director of  Fundação Oriente, Dr. Eduardo Kol de Carvalho impressed upon the students that a language is an important means of communication as well as for the job.

The Director of Instituto Camões, Dr. Delifim Da Silva, highlighted the teaching role as a mission and passion rather than imparting knowledge, skills and methodology; he observed that a teacher is a special person. He also expressed his satisfaction at teaching the Portuguese language in Goa. He further said if Portuguese culture is to be promoted in India, Goa is the ideal place because of its historical background and the influence of the Portuguese on the State. The Consul General then gifted books of Portuguese literature to the college library.

A cultural programme was performed by the students of St. Xavier’s college with a very lively medley of Portuguese songs and a Portuguese dance. Many activities were then conducted to mark the event, like DiÀlogo Concurso  em  PortugUÊs, Trabalhos  Manuais, Cantar  em  Harmonia, and, Trajes  PortuguEses which portrayed a rich and colorful display of various traditional costumes worn in Portuguese speaking communities. An exhibition of Portuguese craft based on Portugal done by the school students was also displayed.

Among those participants who attended the programme were Prof. Maria Do Ceu  Barreto, Dr. Nalini Elvino de Souza, Dr. Gisele Fernandes, Mrs. Carlos  Menezes, Fr. Bernardo Cota, Mr. Antonio Velho, Mrs Beatriz da Costa, Mrs Silvia D’Souza, Prof.Fernanda D’Souza,Mrs Natasha Fernandes and others.

The Consul General gave away the prizes to the winners which were sponsored by Instituto Camões and BMX, Goa.The entire programme was coordinated by Prof. Isabel Naronha and Prof. Sheryanne Velho Pereira. The programme was compered by students, Efigenia Miranda (Fyba) and Peter D’souza (Tyba), while Prof Isabel Naronha proposed the vote of thanks.

Photo Caption :Consul General of Portugal in Goa, Dr. Paulo Pocinho Neves gifting Portuguese books to the Principal of St Xavier’s College, Dr.(Fr) Walter de Sa for the College library on the Portuguese Day Celebration.