Goan diaspora get a feel of their motherland HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 8
PHOTO: http://picasaweb.google.ca/GoanetBlog/News#5413088709952441842 Their forefathers left the Goan shores nearly a century ago to settle in other parts of the world. But they -- young foreign nationals of Goan origin do feel the need to rekindle their roots even today. And in quest of learning something about the motherland of their Ancestors, 12 foreign nationals of Goan origin participated in the Know Goa Programme (KGP), an initiative of the NRI Commission in Goa. The KGP is intended to be a forum for students and young professionals of Goan origin who are not Indian citizens to share views and experiences and interact with their contemporaries here so that the links with their mother country grow and strengthen. While expressing their views in an interactive session held at Secretariat in Porvorim today, the twelve youth from Mozambique, Canada and UK said they were overwhelmed by their experiences in Goa. Some immediately noticed harmonious inter-religious community relations while others were impressed by socio-cultural diversity of the State. During their interaction with the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat held at Secretariat today a few even said, given the chance, they would like to come back to Goa and stay here. The participants are Vanessa Mary Lobo, Michelle Dias, Swithin Lisie DSouza, Ryan Simon De Souza, Sandrina Nichole Rodrigues, Alice Thresa DSouza, Mathew Wallis Siaman (All Canada), Carol John Mendes, Ana Luzia Baltazar, Gilda Maria Cardozo, Celso Emanuel Gabrial de Almeida, Luis Fernandes Morals (All Mozambica). Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs speaking on this occasion said KGP has presented them an opportunity to learn more about the land of their ancestor. During their eight day stay in Goa, the participants interacted with the elected representatives of panchayats and Zilla Panchayat, minister and other political leaders, he said. They were also given a chance to witness village life of Goa -- they visited the Big Foot and Goa Chitra that provide an insight, with sensitivity and art, into Goa of ages gone by, he said. They visited also churches, the Safa Masjid and the Manguesh Temple. On December 9, KGP group would proceed to Delhi where the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will look after them till December 12 before they leave for their respective destinations. They will visit Agra, the Taj Mahal and other monuments of national heritage during their stay in national capital. SCHOLARSHIP: Goa Schorlarship Programme (GSP) for Diaspora Children -- The NRI Commissioner informed that GSP will be made available every year to four students of Goan origin, two each from the NRI (Indian citizens) and PIO (Foreign citizens of Indian origin) categories. The scholarship will cover tution fee, admission fee and post admission services. Chairman EDC and Calangute MLA, Agnel Fernandes, Secretary NRI Affairs, Udipta Ray and Chairman of Overseas Employment Agency of Goa, Vice Admiral John DSilva and others were present at the concluding session. Director NRI Affairs U D Kamat earlier welcomed and later proposed a vote of thanks. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=30896&cid=26
