---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Dr. Nandakumar Kamat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: 27-Feb-2007 10:07 Subject: Re: [Goanet] For Saligao, an artistically done-up children's library To: Goanet <[email protected]>
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Saligao has shown the way. Congratulations. We must reestablish the reading culture. Frank simoes was a great personality and we enjoyed his writings. I shudder to compare the saligao library mssion with the mess in Santa Cruz, the village where I grew up and where we have our permanent residence at Bondir. Thanks to Rajyasabha MP Mr. Eduardo Faleiro's generosity, Under MPLADS a village library building was built near the Bondir football ground two years ago. Despite such modern premises the library was never established by the St. Cruz village panchayat. The building remains locked and may be used for different purpose. Despite her sincerity, The local MLA could not find time to pursue the library proposal. The directorate of education grants Rs. 1, 26,000 to every village panchayat to establish a library and then the maintenenace grants are released every year for purchasing books, periodicals, power, water, wages, small programmes, rent of the premises. We have 380 villages but only 88 villages have libraries. Every year the government collects Rs. 20 million as 'public library cess'. Most of it lies unspent. Saligao institute must present a detail proposal to get the grants it deserves. I am sorry to see the lack of initiative in St. Cruz, a village known for stalwarts like Poet Paulino dias, Journalist Frank Moraes, Poet Dom Moraes, Tereza Albuquerque, Printer J.D. fernandes, Music maestro Cotta, Barao de cumbarjua-Purushottambab Quencro, the Dempo and Pinto families and many tiatrists, artists and sportspersons. There are many more names. Perhaps the Saligao childrens' library project would rekindle interest in our villagers. Unfortunately having shifted my residence to Goa University campus and presently pinned down by babysitting duties, I am out of action. But this news item has compelled me to wake up our village sarpanch and the MLA. I am going to contact them soon. Thanks to public animators like Fred, Mario and Muriel-Saligao is lucky to have such community oriented projects. I wish all the sucess for this venture and would do my bit to help the project by donating books and getting readers etc. END OF NOTE FOOTNOTE: I would not claim to have done anything in the above case, other than build awareness and occasionally raise the need for libraries. In my view, it is a big achievement that Giselle and team achieved everything without any "official" support. FN -- FN M: 0091 9822122436 P: +91-832-240-9490 (after 1300IST please) http://fn.goa-india.org http://fredericknoronha.wordpress.com What bloggers are saying about Goa: http://planet.goa-india.org/ _______________________________________________ Saligao 403511 website http://saligao.goa-india.org Saligaonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goacom.org/mailman/listinfo/saligaonet
