Goenkars ,
A post I received from Yusuf - I share with Goans everywhere.
Please circulate.
rene
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FROM: YUSUF A. SHEIKH, PRESIDENT, GOA STUDY GROUP.
PHONE: 9226233728
PRESS NOTE
VASCO-DA-GAMA, GOA.
12-05-2010
SEMINAR ON MIGRATION : GOA STUDY GROUP DECLARATION
_____________________________________________________________________
PRESIDENT OF THE GOA STUDY GROUP, Mr. YUSUF A. SHEIKH releazed the following
declaration on deliberation of the seminar on Migration organized on May8, 2010
at the International Centre Goa, in which those who presented the papers
included: Advocate Bernard D’Souza, Adv. Jagdish Prabhudesai, Ms. Nandini
Sahai, Mr. Anil Kamat Shankhwalkar, Adv. Cleofato Almeida Coutinho, Adv. Juino
De Souza, Mr. Miguel Braganca, Vice Admiral (Retd) John C. De Silva and Mr.
Arvind Bhatikar IAS(Retd.). Mr. Eduardo Faleiro, former Union Minister of India
presided and a number of eminent citizens participated in the interaction
session.
DECLARATION
A day long seminar on the theme of “Migration” was organized by “Goa Study
Group” on May 8, 2010, at the International Centre Goa. After deliberating on
various related matters that include emigration and immigration, it was noted
that migration is a world wide process which has a long and unending history
and cannot be avoided. An overview of the worldwide picture of migration
depicted that there have been temporary, periodic and permanent migration from
one place to another at different periods of time in different parts of the
world. Migration is inter and intra village, inter district and intra district,
inter state and intra state, national and international.
Key questions such as who are migrants, why do they migrate from their native
places, what is their legal status pertaining to migration laws, what are the
problems of migrant labour and the problems encountered by the people of the
place of their migration etc. were deliberated upon. By taking a number of
examples from history, it was established that, basically, the people migrate
to other places either voluntarily to improve their quality of life or
involuntarily to find shelter depending upon prevailing circumstances.
Migration of the people of Goa to other parts of India due to various historic
reasons and in search of knowledge and pursuit of higher education, and so
also, to the countries abroad for want of job facilities etc. were touched
upon. The prevailing conditions whereby there is more influx of people from
outside to Goa than the emigration of Goans to other places outside Goa was
discussed, focusing attention on the associated problems.
The participants also expressed concern over the reported statement of the
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs that 1226 Indians are languishing in
various jails in Saudi Arabia followed by 950 in United Arab Emirates, 90
persons in Bahamas and 55 in Oman and so also several Indians are currently
undergoing jail terms in Malaysia, Kuwait and other countries. The members
opined that Indian Embassies and High Commissions should take up the matter
with respective countries and provide assistance to the distressed Indians.
The seminar also took an overview of the community of Goans settled in
different countries of the world who, though far away, have their hearts in Goa
and attachment to this soil. The participants opined that efforts should be
made to help them to meet their problems and exposure should be made relating
to the avenues of investments available in Goa so that the link is
re-established and they come forward to contribute towards rebuilding Goa.
The seminar, after a long deliberation on various aspects of migration
unanimously resolved to pass on the findings to the concerned authorities and
evolved the following recommendations:
The problems relating to the influx of migrants temporary and permanent, the
solution thereof and the systematic adjustments that government of Goa will
have to do for dealing with this problem was also discussed .
Recommendations
1- There should be comprehensive policy at State levels in India to check
migration to other States by providing job opportunities to meet basic human
requirements.
Action by: Central and Respective State Governments in India.
2- There should be suitable measures in States like Goa to check migrants by
enacting laws and framing rules and regulations and strictly implementing them.
Protect the environment and interests of the people of Goa including its
linguistic and cultural composites.
Action by: Goa Government.
3- The conditions of the migrant labourers who contribute towards building
activities are far from happy. They are the victims of poverty who are forced
to move to Goa but have no place to stay with basic amenities. As such the
growing number of unauthorized structures for their shelter and other
requirements are coming up which are extremely disturbing. International
Labour standards as promoted by International Labour Organization (ILO) should
be maintained and unfair trade and labour practice should be discouraged
Action by: Dept. of Labour and Employment and Social Welfare, Labour
Organizations, NGOs, Govt. of Goa.
4- As some migrants have taken to begging. Also prostitution and drug peddling
create immense discomfort to both locals and the tourists, the existing laws
against these offences should be implemented firmly. NGOs could also keep a
watch and report the matter to the police.
Action by: Dept. of Police, Govt. of Goa, NGOs.
5- To stop large scale “brain drain” from Goa the Govt. should create
sufficient and appropriate employment opportunities in primary, tertiary and
secondary sector, in that order
Action by: NGOs, Government of Goa.
6-Community of Goans in different countries face a number of emigrations
problems including those concerning social security. Problems are also created
by contractors who dupe the persons by not fulfilling the committed agreements.
Indian High Commissions/Embassies should extend a helping hand when they are in
distress.
Action: High Commissions/ Indian Embassies.
7-Goans whose link is broken due to their stay abroad for generations but have
their emotional attachment to Goa should get opportunities for investments in
the State as that would also help in deriving benefit of their contribution in
development of Goa.
Action: EDC, IDC Tourism Dept. and Dept. of Information and Publicity and
related Goa Govt. Corporations.
8-Recommendations made in other such seminars should also be implemented
Action by all concerned :-
Sd/-
YUSUF A. SHEIKH
PRESIDENT, GOA STUDY GROUP
Sd/-
ASHOK CHODANKAR
SECRETARY.
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rene barreto
Goanworld : http://worldgoan.blogspot.com/
Overall Coordinator ,
WORLD GOA DAY 20.8.2010 WORLD KONKANI DAY
WORLD ALLAINCE OF GOAN ASSOCIATIONS
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