I am not very good at making reports, so here I send it raw If find boring, just check out some Goa photos in the end
Global Goans Convention (GGC) Jan.3 to Jan 5, 2007 Daily Programe (General) 10 am start at Hotel Cidade de Goa 1pm Working Lunch 3 pm Coach leaving for Secretariat for Ministers presentation (except last day) 4.45 to 5.30pm and Qs & As time (except on the last day) 6 pm coach leaves for Fort Aguade for Dinner at 8 pm (First Day) hosted by CM Second day dinner at Cidade de Goa hosted by Mr. Faleiro at 8pm Third day a reception by Governor at his official residence (Raj Bhavan) 4.30 to 7pm At Interactive session (secretariat) Eduardo Faleiro arranged not only ministers but their secretaries too. Secretary will note down all the questions put to his minister, and if action needed, they will write to the delegate (person who needed answer/action) by email etc about the action or follow-up within a month. RP2011 As it was said earlier that this came up more than twice on the very fist day of Convention during interacting time with ministers on Jan. 3. Chief Minster was to attend but saw his deputy Wilfred Dsouza instead. As Tourism and Enviroment Minister Dr. Willy washed his hands saying RP2011 file had never came to his office (except one memo about an amendment). Nor it was discussed by the Goa cabinet. And that It was wrong to say every one agreed to RP2011 Earlier, during the morning session, CM said RP2011 can be changed if required. JoeSays: The 45 minutes Question and Answers (Q&A) time was too less and Mr. Faleiro, as a moderator, always seen saying ;hurry up, time is fast running out Sometimes, he was even a bit rude to the delegates who stood up for question etc (I guess it was his duty as a Moderator keeping in mind the very short time available). He even stopped some ministers half way while they were giving their presentation i.e. painting rosy pictures of themselves. It may be said here, RP2011 was not the only reason NRGs attended the GGC. If all came for RP2011 only, then all would have walked out together with the New York Couple. However, they could still stand up in protest (if not walk out) but this things dont usually seen amongst the Goans. Read here for Day 1 details http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-January/052482.html Garbage issue: This too has come up more than once. It was even said they have overcome problems/protests like Konkan Railways, Metha Strips etc and how come this (Garbage) took so long ? Ministers say.. The plant got be started somewhere but every one says not here, take it else where and how this will work ? It was also said that a party came forward to shoulder all burden at their cost and in return we pay for the power that it will generate out of it (Garbage). Land issue: When this came up about the sale land to foreigners/outsiders etc Ministers question back saying Who are the people who sell this land, are they not Goans ? Dabolim Airport: Navy promised 9 acres of land but not delivered yet. Once the land is available, 10 to 11 wide body planes can be accommodated from current just 6. Says Tourism Ministes (TM) Golf Course: No Japanese tourist will visit Goa if there is no Golf facilities. So, one coming up (TM) Oceanarium: Goa going to have one world class Oceanarium. 7 application received so far. And waiting for final Go ahead signal from the centre/authority. TM Passport/Imigration/Consular services etc Chief Passport Officer (CPO) Mr. R R Dash 5.5 laks in Kuwait (70k Goans) 2.5 laks in Bharaim 1.5 million in UAE 1.7 million in Saudi 2 laks in Quatar Over 4.5 millions in Gulf -More than 40 lac passports issued up to 2006, (24k in Goa .) Expected more than 45 laks in 2007 -E-Passport or biometric from 2008 -25 million passport in circulation -Those spend 3 years abroad, are not required ENCR stamp. -Degree authentication is done in Goa (previously only in Delhi ) -2.5 laks p.a Indian visas granted in France -30 missions abroad to be outsourced soon (including France , UK etc Visas issue etc) Goa: Panchayats/Senior citizesn.artists/unemployed graduates -189 Villages, -183 Panchayats -About 9000 Graduate unemployed -Rs.1, 200 pm to those needy artist at age 58 and above -1.10 laks Senior citizens in state Keith Vaz to bring Lester City football team to Goa at his own expense Margao new Hospital/GMC New Hospital work near KTC to start before end of current financial year. 2000 per day OPD patients at GMC JoeSays: But it seems the process for land acquisition for the same is not completed yet. Today, it was reported in local dailies that farmers of Dovandem, Margao have strongly opposed the acquisition process of the agricultural land, which is reportedly underway to build a new district hospital. Memos also been submitted to Governor and Chief secretary. They have also suggested that the present Hospicio and TB hospital be modified and upgraded with modern facilities and services or the new hospital be built at Monte Hill http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-January/052682.html 8 NRGs felicitated Awards were presented at the hands of Governor of Goa. Who recommended the 8 people ? It appear that all are recommend by their respective Indian Mission abroad (Consulate/embassy). One of them had just completed 75 years on the day of the ceremony i.e. Jan.5 NRG Investments in Goa : CM says out of every Rs.5 invested in Goa , Re. 1 come from NRGs Governor Statistics may say Goa s population is about 15 laks but as per my calculation it should be about 20 lakhs. Says 76 year old Goa Governor Mr. Jamir who is in Goa for more than 2years now. He also say there are two types of groups. Viz. One for Goas development and the other saving Goa (heritage etc). He further said, there is no problem with further Goas development but at the same time one should see how much land is available in Goa . Dont compare Goa to Singapore or Dubai JoeSays: Well, if Goa s population is 20 lakhs, imagine how many would be non-Goans, 50% ? another 10 years then what ? Goans 20% and non-Goans 80% ? Saiba bhogos!!! Other highlights: NRI cell suggested by Luizinho Faleiro to Eduardo Faleiro Minister Subash Shirokar repeatedly referred to Goans as Goanese. One Mr. Alwyn from Honkong corrected him once during the speech and then again during the Q & A time saying that Goanese used as derogatory.But he continue using Goanese I guess the minister is used to the term Goanese which he may have read in the books etc. One Mr. Johnson Pereira, asked the ministers about the various schemes (they boasted during their presentation) whether they are available in a book form or on the net. To this Luizinho Faleiro showed a booklet on Citizens Charter. I am sure this is not what he was asking for. Mr. Johnson, also suggested NRI Minister, to copy in all replies/actions to the delegates questions to all members who are registered with his website http://www.globalgoans.org.in/ so that everybody know what action has been taken etc. Mr. Faleiro said , yes, this could be done. One young lady asked what action has been taken to protect from mosquitoes or vector borne diseases like dengue fever etc. Minster says, there is not a single case of Dengue in Goa . At the inactive session.. First day there were about 60 delegates Second day there were about 40 Most of them fall in silent delegate category (as we have silent members on the net) Up to 80% of them were from GOA either ex. NRIs (retired ) or other OAPs who never been NRIs. Half of them were ladies There was one OAP (ex NRI) who during the question hours complained about the harassment he received including disconnection of his water supply and he even showed his pipe / tools to all which he brought in his bag. Another OAP lady, stood up and started reading from the front page of a newspaper. Headline UK Co acquires 150-acre land in South Goa to build township At Morning session at Cidade: During morning session , it seem there was a huge turn out of delegates but half of those present there were Press people, other invitees, Ministers people. On last day alone, There were about 20 people belonging to governor including plain cloth security. Actual number of delegates was only seen after the lunch. On the first day, dinner at Fort Aguada, the coach left the delegate there just before 7pm and did not inform what time it will be back to pick up. As the dinner started late, delegate started to leave around 11pm only to find there is no coach. Enquired at both reception counters but they were not aware of any thing about the coach. So, some made they own way back home. Next day, it was understood that coach was there whic came to pick up around 11.45pm. Some one should have at least made an announcement from the stage (open air stage where cultural program/dinner was held at Taj holiday village). On final day, at the official residence of Govenor Jamir (Raj Bhavan) there was a cultural programe of various Goan dances. One Mr. Rene Baretto (from UK ) proposed a vote of thanks. One Suggestion to Mr. Eduardo Faleiro: No NRI or NRG come down to Goa just for NRI Convention. We come here for a short period to be with our family etc. Most of us would do anything to save one day/night in Bombay which we usually spent there waiting is transit or next connecting flight to Goa . 3 days conventions seems to much to stay away from our family. We simply cant afford to give up to 18 hrs a day just for Convention. e.g. A guy who left Cuncolim at 8am (first day) was back home at 2am next day. That's after the dinner at Fort Aguada . It was said the dinner will start at 8pm but started at 10pm due to ministers including CM coming in late. Again, next day dinner at Cidade was late too. It was seen up to 80% joining the dinner (both days) were non-delegates in the name of GGC. When we were watching the lovely cultural shows at all 3 different places, we remember our wives and children too. The evening dinner/cultural programes etc should also be thrown open to delegates immediate family aswell. At least they will be with us for some hours. Also, the new site http://www.globalgoans.org.in/ be made more effective like interactive programes etc so that we can put question to ministers etc. As most queries etc can be solved on line, perhaps, there would be no need to hold coming conventions/conference for 3 days again. Check some photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauksix/347363462/ Pool with mini Island http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauksix/347362739/ Beach near Cidade http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=347362739&size=o http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauksix/347362218/ with Dona Paula in background http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=347362218&size=o http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauksix/347363864/ Raj Bhavan http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauksix/347361508/ new Assembly complex http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=347361237&size=o Miramar circle with mini cruise liner near For Aguada additional photo attached for Rich Text readers only [EMAIL PROTECTED] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ Konkani Songs, Goan Photos, Tiatr/Film VCDs, Bank interest rates etc etc (for updates etc click below) http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/files/ Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
