-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B4F5D58C5-120B-41B9-B5BB-7B67B4900726%7D&CATEGORYNAME=National Kalam outlines mission plan for Goa Search for More News
Panaji, Oct 18: Outlining a plan for missions for Goa's prosperity, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said that key area such as infrastructure should be developed to make the state into an ITES destination, and stressed on the importance of channelising the state's iron ore industry in the right way. In his maiden address to the Goa assembly as part of his day-long visit to the state, the President outlined nine missions to help turn state into the perfect combination of peace and economic prosperity. Developing infrastructure facilities such as roads, uninterrupted water supply, developing a bio-fuel plant and setting up a steel plant to provide value addition to the state's iron ore industry were some of the suggestions made by Kalam. Dwelling at length on the nine missions for Goa during a half-an-hour-long presentation to the state assembly, he said the revenue of USD 1.1 billion that was generated from iron ore export could be up 10 times if a steel plant was set up in the state to help upgrade the medium grade iron ore produced here. "You can increase revenue by 10 times if we convert it to steel. We are exporting iron ore to other countries who are converting it to steel and benefiting them. I do not want that to happen," he told the House. Kalam also exhorted the members to discuss setting up of an IT park in the state, saying this would generate employment for 2 lakh knowledge workers and revenue of USD 100 million. "Goa has the potential to become an IT-rich environment such as tele-education, tele-medicine and e-governance. Since you are part of the sea, you can establish sea connectivity to the other countries through high bandwidth fiber. "This will enable you to provide value added IT-enabled services to many destinations abroad," Kalam said. In his address, Kalam said emphasis should be given to physical, electronic and knowledge connectivity between the rural and urban areas and urged the members to work towards creating a positive environment to help generate employment for the one lakh unemployed in the state. Praising Goa for its progress on literacy, formal education and poverty alleviation and life expectancy, he said the challenge would be to further reduce the infant mortality rate and increase the net per capita expenditure in addition to giving safe drinking water and pucca houses to all. Kalam also addressed a valedictory function of the ninth annual Chief Executive Officer's roundtable in south Goa, then attended a luncheon hosted by Governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan before proceeding to address the Assembly. He left for New Delhi in the evening. (Agencies) -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | 1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005 | | | | Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA | | More details at | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
