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The Rape of Goa - A photo documentary
by
Rajan P. Parrikar
Venue: Menezes Braganza Art Gallery, Panjim, May 21-24, 2008
http://www.parrikar.org/misc/doc-notice.pdf
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TECHNOLOGY ADAPTED TO GOA
St. Xavier's in Mapuca deserves applause and praise
For providing higher education in specialised ways,
But more relevant and admired
Would be education that's required
To show people how technology can help their daily lives reappraise.
The cell phone for example, is in other parts of our land
A handy and affordable tool, very much in demand
By even farmers, who find this of great use
To decide the right prices for their produce,
And in turn, helps their incomes expand.
We are lucky to have in Goa a host of cyber cafes
That for the youth is often just a silly craze
For entertainment and playing a video game.
In the West the attitude is often much the same
But it is for St Xavier's and the like to show how it pays.
For example, the computer, a seemingly complex machine,
Among the youth is rarely seen
As a reference library or for keeping abreast
With how in the West
Its use can be adapted for the benefit of the local scene.
Again, many elders in Goa feel completely alienated and cut off
>From their children abroad who cannot take time off
To write even a few lines or to phone,
Leaving their elders feeling so alone
And many times disconsolate and in a mental trough.
How wonderful it would be if the elders could avail
Of the facilities of cyber cafes, to send and receive email
>From their loved ones working and living abroad
And see the mystique surrounding the computer thawed,
Instead of using antiquated snail mail that carries news that's stale.
This may seem a scenario that is far-fetched and not pragmatic
Whose implementation may be in fact, rather unrealistic
But is there not in Goa a single voluntary organisation
That has the dedication and above all the imagination
To satisfy a real and felt need without being over-simplistic?
It is no use to expect the government to lend a helping hand
Even though they also have the resources at their command
But governments are bureaucratic
And in such matters quite static
Especially the ones that we have these days in our land.
Once this idea is seen to be feasible and catches on
It will have many adherents won.
Let us show that we are not, as people say, sucegad
That we too can be in our own way, avant-garde
And may be a new era for technology in Goa will be born.
- Shanti Dhoot
RE:
Message: 7 ; 20 May 2008
From: " Frederick [FN] Noronha <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet] BrieFNcounters: A tinier Xaviers ...
Principal Newman Fernandes talks about the plans of St Xavier's
College to grow in the immediate future. He gives his vision for
change and betterment.
St. Xavier's is a college run out of the North Goa town of Mapusa. It is the
largest and oldest college north of the Mandovi river in Goa. In 2006,
Xavier's offered Goa's first media and mass communication degree course with
editing suites, camera and film equipment.
There's an impressive list of new courses being offered now... though fees
for these self-financing courses are higher. Some courses on offer include
MA Clinical Psychology, MA HR
Management, MA Counselling, MA International Studies ... Besides the
traditional MCom, there are also post-grad diplomas in tourism management
and event management. Undergrad courses are in biotechnology, microbiology,
computer sciences, industrial
chemestry, electronics (all BScs) BCom degrees in computer applications,
management, cost accounting ...And BAs in mass communications, videography,
journalism, anthropology, intl studies and more! An interview with Principal
Newman Fernandes.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LFlBuzbQsoA
