Dear Goans, This may be the ocassion when some Goans overseas and perhaps within India but outside the State of Goa, will be merry-making, wining, dining, singing, dancing, attending a cultural function, et al.
For 20 August is ordained as the WORLD GOA DAY, the Day, Konkani was included in VIII Schedule of the Constitution of India.Incidentally today is the festival of "Janmashtami" the birthday of Lord Krishna But as we at SGPIAG a registered non-governmental organisation based in Margao with jurisdiction of our activities extending to the South Goa Parliamentary Constituency, reiterate se novo that this day means nothing for the majority Goans as most Goans do not subscribe to the Sanskritised version of Konkani recognised as the official language with which only with just 3% of Goans are familiar with it. Since, in any case there are Goans celebrating this Day overseas, we at DGPIAG have a suggestion to offer. We appeal to the Goans worldwide to a) discover your roots viz the village to which you or your fore-fathers belong to; b) try to discover what your village needs and how best could you help the villagers of your beloved village or the village; To suggest a few ways, you could instead of waiting for the Government to act, sponsor any of the following a) monetary assistance or assistance in kind to a child for his education books study material etc upto the level of his/her potential to enable hi/her seek self-employment or employment b) monetary assistance to the old/infirm or widow /widower or orphan or those below the poverty line; c) fund the setting up or maintainence of half-way homes, old-age homes, para medical services, homes for mentally challenged or physically disabled;or vehicles for these disadvantaged categories, ambulances, creche, hearse etc d) supply of medical equipment to assist the physically disabled and others needing medical assistance; e) provision of computers, library, recreational centres to harness the talent of youth and others f) extend assistance in upgrading technical know how in traditional occupations, farming, fisheries, toddy tapping distilation, pottery, carpentary, smithy, and supply of modernised equipments to improve the quality and performance of traditional artisans g) develop springs community play grounds and community halls for the village h) and in any other way that your beloved brethren in the village of your roots would desire. You Goans will remeber the "kudds" that have been playing host to you while in Mumbai. We have a list of them all in your village names. They are in ruinatiom, some without governing bodies and others sold by unscrupulous members *niz Goencars" for a song to realators. These need to be protected, there is a need to pursue litigation and the Governments of Goa and Maharashtra could be called upon to save these Kudds so that our Goan children and others can use these shelters for pursuing higher studies or as guest houses while they travel to and fro within and outside the country. Please remember that the village panchayat which is usually a group of two or three villages depending on the population and geographical contiguity has 5, 7, 9 and 11 wards and these look after the development of the Villages. They hold "Gram Sabhas" which enable voters enrolled and eligible to vote to the respective Panchayats, to suggest ways and means for the development of the village. Many of the desires of the villagers are hampered due to paucity of funds and by the time the villages are equipped with the desired developmental or non developmental needs, the villagers are ruined indulging in alcoholism, gambling and ruination of families. We at South Goa Public Interest Action Group, will not hesitate to facilitate, your desires and interact with the needy villagers. However, we would also like to state that monetary assistance or assistance in kind will move directly from the donor to the donee and no middle man intervention will be accepted so that the funds reach the concerned. In our considered opinion this is the best way Goans world wide can assist Goans within Goa and ensure the development of the quality of life of the people of Goa and this tiny State. We would therefore appreciate that in the spirit of rejoicing this day Goans overseas will give this proposal a thought. We at SGPIAG assure our unstinted support to this cause. A copy of this email is being marked to the Honourable Chief Minister of Goa and the NRI Facilitation Centre as well to faciilitate Governmental interaction and support to our proposal. For SOUTH GOA PUBLIC INTEREST ACTION GROUP Regd 171/GOA/2000 sd/- Terence Mazarelo PRESIDENT [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Promos: Win TVs, Bikes, DVD players & more! Go to http://in.promos.yahoo.com ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
