Goan community seeks direct air service
Photo:
http://www.goanet.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=35&pos=0
DOHA'S Goan community has made a strong plea for direct flights to the
southwestern Indian state of Goa.
The appeal was made at a meeting hosted by the Goan Welfare Association in
honour of the NRI delegation from Goa, headed by Commissioner for NRI
Affairs, government of Goa, and former Indian federal minister Eduardo
Faleiro.
The proposal for direct flight to Goa was made by Simon D'Silva, president
of Goan Welfare Association, on behalf of the Goans living in Qatar.
Vice-Admiral (Retd.) John C D'Silva, chairman, Overseas Employment Agency of
Goa, Director of NRI affairs (Goa) Ulhas D Kamat and Bailancho Saad activist
Sabina Martins were among others who were honoured at the meeting held at
Shalimar Garden Hotel recently. All were part of the delegation led by
Faleiro.
Speaking at the meeting, Indian Ambassador George Joseph described the Goan
community as a "trouble-free group," having hardly any complaints at the
embassy. He also requested the NRI Commissioner to help the NRI Goans on the
issues pertaining to property and education.
Replying to the envoy's speech, Faleiro highlighted the efforts that the NRI
commission in Goa had made for the Non-Resident Goans since its
establishment.
The former union minister also highlighted various NRI Issues, addressed
from time to time for the benefit of the NRI Goans. He urged the Goans to
voice their woes and proposals so that he could study them and try to reach
a solution.
Speaking later, Kamat recalled the Global Goans Covention held at the
beginning of the year in Goa and spoke about the initiatives made by the
state to tap the energies of its NRIs. The official also distributed a CD on
authentic Goan music entitled 'DAIZ.
Since the NRI commission's inception in Goa, it had made efforts to track
down all compatriots who were affected by the Gulf War and who returned from
Kuwait way back in 1991, said Kamat.
He said the commission was successful in locating more than 200 Goans whom
they later helped.
Efforts were also made to address the grievances of children of NRIs who
were facing monetary and physical problems to authenticate educational
certificates by the central government officials and then by the Ministry
for External Affairs.
The official also spoke about the work being carried out by the commission
on the issue of seats for NRIs in professional colleges. Kamat said that at
present, at the only medical college the state has, only one out of its 100
seats is reserved for children of NRIs.
The commission has already made a proposal to the state government to
increase the seats to 110, and the number of NRI seats to 10.
The official also requested the gathering to visit the commission's
website, www.globalgoans.org.in
John C D'Silva, chairman of the Overseas Employment Agency of Goa spoke
about the purpose of establishing the agency for the benefit of Goan Youth
who seek jobs abroad.
Sabina Martins spoke about the purpose of her visit to Qatar and explained
how her organisation worked for the protection of the rights of Goan women
worldwide. She highlighted the work the forum had undertaken for the
alleviation of the hardships faced by women due to various social causes.
Eduardo Faleiro presented a memento to Simon D'Silva, president of the
association, in appreciation of Goan Welfare Association's support to NRI
Commission's efforts.
Basil Coutinho, a prominent Goan who had left Qatar for good, attended the
meeting while on his short visit to Qatar.
Proposals were submitted by John D Sa on various problems faced by
Doha-based Goans while on vacation back home.
The meeting also made a forceful plea for the recognition of services of
social worker Eugenia Dias and that the state government to honour her with
a suitable award considering her services in the social field in Qatar for
the past 30 years.
The meeting also requested the NRI Commissioner to make it easy for those
Goans who wanted to secure Portuguese passports.
Mathew Estrocio compered the meeting and Hazel Rodrigues proposed a vote of
thanks.
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