Hi Gilbert, I think the "Treasure" brings in more problems than it solves. It creates a local parasitism (often attracting the wrong types) and gives expats a cheap feeling of superiority (specially after the rupee got devalued so much from its Rs 7-to-the-dollar to Rs 49-or-thereabouts-to-a-dollar!)
On 30 January 2010 09:38, Gilbert Lawrence <[email protected]> wrote: > In my reading, there are three types of contributions - > three Ts that ANYONE can do: > Time (and may be patience) > Talent (skill) > Treasure (donation) The best involvement is of talent and skills. Two persons who are involved with an expat-Goan event we're staging this evening (the three authors are all US-based!) on Goan writing have contributed significantly. Victor Rangel-Ribeiro started with a mentoring course for writers, and that has grown into the GoaWriters network [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goawriters] Despite the occasional hiccup that any cybercommunity tends to face, this is growing very well, and has already resulted in a whole lot of useful networks and links flowering out of it. Dr Tony (Antonio) Gomes of NY/Loutolim is one of those building the Goa America Heart Foundation. I think we could do with a lot of skills transfer. Goa also has a lot to contribute to the outside world by way of human resources, giving people here a sound foundation and education (despite all its current shortcomings). It is no coincidence or accident that a lot of people educated in Goa have gone on to achieve name and fame across the globe. Instead of blaming Goa for not giving them further opportunity here itself, we perhaps need to build a win-win equation which (i) understands the strengths of Goa in the midst of all its problems (ii) see what could be done, despite our politicians and their lack of any substantial vision for the future, to build further and make sure people from this region get their due. Just my two (also devalued) paisa worth. FN
