[This was written and published in the Herald before the event.] Goan NRIs hoping against hope
HERALD, Jan 3, 2006 PANJIM, Jan 2: For the third time in Goa, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) will voice their expectations on a common platform in the hope of receiving some response from the government. The Gomant Vishwa Sammelan, a worldwide Goans convention organised by the NRI Goa Facilitation Centre, sets stage on January 3 and 4, 2006 in Panjim. However with the last two conventions hel din 2004 and 2005, not much of an outcome has been in sight, according to NRIs. Says Zamir Khan, NRI from Saudi Arabia: "We openly discussed our problems with the Chief Minister last year but nothing much has been done." NRIs have general problems pertaining to land, health and education, among others. We had demanded a single window to address our problems, but this demand has not been met, says Khan. The State Government has no concrete working for the NRIs, opnines Peter D'Souza, also from Saudi Arabia. The government needs to introduce projects and proposals for the NRis and go to the point of sale, just like Kerala or Andhra Pradesh, where the State government reaches out to the NRIs worldwide, opines D'Souza. As for these conventions, they are held once or twice and then forgotten, says D'Souza. You can't expect anything concrete from such conventions, he says. "The fact is that both sides are not serious," he opines. The NRIs have a poor attendance due to the timings of the conventions and the government is not strongly interested, says D'Souza. No doubt that the NRI centre is in its initial stages. But with such conventions, we plan direct NRI involvement in the State, says Dinar Bhatkar, chief coordinator, NRI Facilitation Centre. We have recommended to the government that a survey be done on issues pertaining to NRIs, says Bhatkar. However, the biggest stumbling block after the convention in January last year was the change in government, which brought things to a standstill, says Bhatkar. (ENDS) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Take back & distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------