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Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) book launch in
London, England @ the World Goa Day festivities on 15 Aug at 7pm
Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com
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http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/wm2586.cfm
Excerpt:
A possibly critical event within India has gone largely unnoticed elsewhere:
The Indian federal legislature has approved a bill mandating free public
education for all citizens. Whether the bill is properly or improperly
implemented could play a notable role in determining whether India becomes a
global economic leader, and a global economic partner for the U.S.
The education bill is an attempt to reconcile two fundamental forces: (1)
India's painfully low literacy rate and shortage of skilled labor, and 2) a
pronounced demographic shift toward a larger, younger population.
If the tide of new workers can be adequately educated, their job training can
progress far more easily, and their employment will be much more beneficial for
the Indian economy. In this case, the demographic trends will contribute
powerfully to economic expansion. The alternative, however, is dire: decades of
massive underemployment and slow growth due to low labor productivity.[1]
[end of excerpt]
