Goanet next meets in Goa: January 7, 4 pm (meeting point: Kala Academy canteen). Goanet founder Herman Carneiro will be there. See you there! ------------------------------
Amidst the suspense, the Gomant Vishwa Sammelan got off to a nostalgic start at the stroke of 9.34 a.m. with the redition of welcome song showing Goas unique identity of communal harmony composed by eminent poet Dr Manohar Sardessai. Governor Kidar Nath Pandey delivered a speech in Hindi even as CM Manohar Parrikar failed to make it at the opening ceremony. There were about 378 delegates mostly 78 Mumbai Goans from "Aami Goenkar" a new collective of Goans in Mumbai, Ms Suman Kurade from New Delhi and around 28 MRIs but persons that mattered and were representatives of various websites or Groups in the UK USA Bahrain Kuwait and Muscat. The interaction on Tourism spearheaded by Jerome Mendes NRI from UK Mr Ralph DSouza dealt on the pros and cons of 365 Holidays in Goa. The Health task force also provided so insights into the present state of Health facilities in Goa. It must be admitted that there is wide gap between the NRIs and the ground realities in Goa and the present Goa Government shares a blame for not having a via media to dispel the disinformation campaign or the lack of it which has confounded the problem. The entire Kala Academy was tastefully decorated and there was an interesting display of traditional Goan agricuture implements brought all the way from Baddem in Cotigao Canacona by Rajesh Gaonkar and displayed under the aegis of a South based NGO. The visual and print media gave extensive coverage as the entire press corps and TV personnel were present. But despite the enthusiasm and the last minute publicity in almost every nook and corner, the function did not register the response it ought to evoke. However this time the punctuality was observed, and the taks forces had some interesting points. After an excellent meal covered in the Rs.200 delegation fees for the three days 3rd 4th & 5th noon, there was the brainstorming session. Mr A. Palyekar ex EDC Member Secretary gave a report on the state of affairs of the demands put up by the NRIs. In the form of ---done --being attended or is --being examined Dr Suresh Dubashi of the UK now returned to Goa and running the Vintage Hospital disclosed his pot of woes in the difficulties faced in the Health sector. the duo from USA Mr Ashok and Ms Nirmal Bale had their cup of woes relating to unscrupulous Builders in Panaji, Mr Wilson Coelho was not too enthused about the flights as he believed that change in dates of flights is waht really mattered. He was also upset that the non recognition of engineering degrees of Goa University in Kuwait was not being attended too, the fleecing of NRIs by fly by night operators who had done away with huge funds and had got off scot free. Mr Rajnikant Manjrekar had also his problems. Thomas Pereira from USA associated with the World Bank was not too happy about water resources management and the lack of sanitation in Goa. Ms Suman Kurade of New Delhi pleaded for a library at the Goa Sadan and need for involvement of Goans in New Delhi when Goans from Goa visit there for numerous purposes, Aristo Coelho a member of the Goa Sudharop had a word of praise for the present Government and wished all success to the Govt in its endeavours. Mr Sanjiv Katkar gave a power point presentation of the new NGO "AAMI GOENKAR" floated in Mumbai a collective of Goans settled there in the past 15 to 25 years their representative Dr Qazi made a presentation on Health sector. Incidentally Dr Qazi was student leader of the Goa Medical College Bambolim during the mid seventies and has a love for doing something for Goa. The moderators General Sunith Rodrigues (Retd ) and Brig Ian D Costa could not give satisfactory answers to the grievances of the NRIs and this left the CM grinning all through, It was left to the Organising Chairman Mr Dinar Bhatcar to guage the resentment of NRIs and arrange for a interaction with the Chief Minister post tea-break. The Chief Minister Mr Manohar Parikar was clear in his perceptions as questions after questions were being put up, as regards roads he openly blamed the state of affairs in the PWD for the lackadaisical attitude towards roads. He promised the fourlane National Highway in two years if provision of Rs 400 crores was made available. He blamed the neglect of the past Governments for the sorry state of affairs. He openly accused Mr Somanath Zuarkar MLA of looting the State CoOperatvie Bank and another ex minister for fake tickets but was not sure whether the commission report would stand the test in the Court on technicalities. On augmenting water supply the CM regretted that the Opa line commissioned in 1972 was not upgraded He claimed that he had 14 bridges work on the anvil before 2007 and lamented the neglect by the previous Government. The number of Sulabh toilets had increased as compared to the past. He asked the NRIs who had grievance to resort to complains and pursue issues to the logical conclusion. He admitted that police personnel were corrupted by politicians in the past. Ask any of the 900 policemen promoted whether they had to pay money for promotions whilst earlier it was being done on payments and quoted the case of top cop Mr Sharma in the Stamp Paper case to cite how corruption by politicians was responsible. He admitted the case of non inclusion of names on electoral rolls. He was not too happy about the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment to Panachayats and Muncipalities as many of those setting up business were victims of brazen corrpution. He informed that industrial estates were removed from the jurisdiction of VP and Municipalities and modalities are being worked out. He tried to make the point clear that ever since his coming to power in October 2000 much of the ills were the creation of past Governments. This writer interacted with several NRIs and they had a word of praise for the present CM and also excepted his helplessness in some cases. Though several Ministers like Mr Dayanand Mandrekar Mr Francis D Souza and Mr Philip Neri Rodrigues were present on the dais it was the Chief Minister who answered all the questions like a Headmaster. Mr Herculano Dourado cut a sorry figure when apparently he assumed to be the CM himself as his humour was out of context to genuine grievances of the NRIs. One of the reasons for the poor attendance was the cruicial cricket match between India and Australia Other stalls Vinatage Hospitals of Mapusa and Appolo Victor Hospital Margao had their exhibition the Goa Industrial Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture the Krishi Bhandar Other India Book House Dept of Education Higher Education NGO South Goa Public Interest Action Group Dept of Tourism a Self Help Group Dept of Health Services CRY and a beautiful booklet showing facets of Goa by Jose Lourenco of Velim settled in Comaba Margao and associated with the Konkani Sangeet Sammelan were the major attraction. There was an excellent display of kunbi and other traditional goan dances at the venue. The exhibition of Mr Bodhe View from the Heavens was artistically displayed at the entrance. The first day wound up with a boat ride. Report filed from Kala Academy campus, Godfrey J. I Gonsalves Borda Margao Goa ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner online. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.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 # ##########################################################################
