Renowned Artist Alison Gonsalves Urges Youth to Rise as Guardians of Goa’s Communal Harmony

Goa, Nov 27, 2025: Calling on the youth to rise as builders of peace, well-known Konkani composer and singer Alison Gonsalves brought a stirring sense of urgency to the Jubilee of Inter-Religious Dialogue in Goa, held on the theme “Messengers of Peace, Rays of Hope.” Moving beyond music, he spoke passionately about the harmony that once defined Goan life but is now alarmingly diminishing, offering a heartfelt personal reflection rooted in his own lived experience of unity. With disarming simplicity, he said, “Today, I’m not here to talk about my songs. I’m just here to open up a little about myself personally.”

The Jubilee was organised at Old Goa in the pandal erected for the Novena and Feast of St. Francis Xavier, near the Basilica of Bom Jesus, by the Committee for the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, in collaboration with Sadbhav of the Society of Pilar.

Recalling his childhood, Gonsalves—who is known for his recent composition ‘Rosalina’—noted that his school life was defined not by difference but by friendship. “Religion was never a part of the conversation,” he said. “We played together, shared tiffin together, fought together, but above all, we were just friends.”

He spoke fondly of his native village of Majorda, where the church and temple stand side by side, describing a neighbourhood where Catholic and Hindu families naturally shared each other’s festivals. Their Hindu friends would visit during church feasts, while they in turn helped with Narkasur making and Ganesha decorations. “Our community has always been united,” he reaffirmed.

Gonsalves expressed concern, however, about the growing disharmony seen in recent years. He attributed these tensions not to ordinary people but to divisive influences. “It’s not us who are responsible,” he stressed. “It’s a few people, a few leaders, perhaps a few organizations, and a few influencers who are creating this disharmony—not for our benefit, but for their own.” Quoting a line he remembered from school, he warned, “Divide and conquer—divided people are easier to control. United people are very difficult to control.”

Addressing the young participants directly, he described them as the most important force for social harmony today. “Gen Z is the most powerful, the most open, the most informed, and the most vocal generation there has ever been,” he said. “You are the future of our world.”

Rooting his message in the Goan ethos, he reminded the gathering, “Goa has always been peaceful. My Goa has always been united—in food, language, and our beautiful diversity.” He added that the responsibility of preserving this legacy now rests with the younger generation.

Concluding on an emotional note, he acknowledged the quieter wounds caused by recent communal tensions. “Over the years, because of these disputes, deep down we are all a little hurt,” he said, inviting the youth to become healers of unity and ambassadors of peace.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD