GOAN YOUTH FROM UK, US, CANADA, TZ, KENYA, AU AND NZ FOR 'KNOW GOA' Goanet News Service
GOA: The fourth Know Goa Programme will be held this year from November 27 - December 6 in Goa and from December 7 -11 in Delhi. Eleven expats of Goan origin will take part, the NRI Affairs Commissioner Eduardo Faleiro announced here. The Know Goa Programme is a two-week orientation programme for Goan Diaspora youth who are not Indian nationals. It is conducted with a view to "promote awareness of different facets of life in Goa and in India and the progress made since Independence." The programme is conducted in partnership with the Government of India. The participants are selected on the basis of recommendations received from Indian Embassies and High Commissions abroad. Participants are from the U.K (2), U.S.A (1), Canada (3), Tanzania (1), Kenya (1), Australia (2) and New Zealand (1). During their stay in Goa, they will visit the Goa University, the National Institute of Oceanography, the Goa Science Centre, BITS Pilani Goa Campus, the Verna Industrial Estate and other educational, cultural and industrial institutions. They will call on the Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and other dignitaries. Participants will interact with the chairman and members of the South Goa Zilla Parishad, with the Sarpanch and members of a Village Panchayat and witness village handicrafts, indigenous games, and dances. During their stay in Delhi, the participants will call on the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, attend a comprehensive session on yoga and Indian culture at the Aurobindo Ashram and visit cultural institutions and historical monuments in Delhi and Agra. STUDY INDIA PROGRAMME The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has meanwhile also initiated the Study India Programme to enable overseas Indian youth, foreign citizens of Indian origin in the age group of 18-26 years, to undergo short term courses of familiarisation with the art and culture, heritage, history, economy and development of India. The NRI Commissioner announced here that the four-week course will be implemented in partnership with select Indian universities and institutions of repute. It will include: * Academic content which would facilitate understanding of contemporary India and its development, political and financial systems, economic, social and administrative structures; * Cultural content which would help the participants to be immersed in the Indian experience with exposure to Indian mythology, history, arts, handicrafts, dance, music, cuisine, languages and age-old traditions; * Visits to different institutions, industries of importance and rural areas to allow the participants to gain first hand exposure to India. The participants will be provided with full hospitality in India during the duration of the programme. Fifty percent of the cost of the air ticket in economy class (direct flight) is refundable to the participants on successful completion of the programme by them. "Interested candidates of Goan origin may contact our Office so that we recommend their names for participation in the Study India Programme to be held next year," said Mr Faleiro. KUWAIT FLIGHTS Raising another issue of relevance to expats travelling to Goa, he said that on September 6 last, an Air India aircraft on the sector Kuwait-Goa burst two tires whilst landing at the Dabolim Airport. "Fortunately there were no casualties. Goans in Kuwait represented to me about this incident and also complained that Air India flies old aircraft in very bad condition on the Goa Kuwait sector and that there is absolutely no comfort whilst travelling in these aircraft. I wrote to the Civil Aviation Minister Vyalar Ravi and he replied that he was examining the possibility of change of aircraft in this sector. Air India informs me now that new aircraft will be provided on this sector from April next," said Faleiro. PORTRAIT FOR PARLIAMENT He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to display in the national Parliament House a portrait of Goan anti-colonial fighter Dr Tristao Braganca Cunha, and the same is to be installed in both Houses of Parliament on December 19. "Our Chief Minister has fully supported this initiative and the portrait of Dr. T.B. d’Cunha will be presented by the Government of Goa to Parliament," Faleiro added. "It would be in the fitness of things if, similarly, the Goa Legislative Assembly holds a Special Session on the Golden Jubilee of Goa Liberation and displays the portrait of Dr. Tristao Braganza Cunha in its premises. The Department of NRI Affairs will certainly put up a portrait of Dr. Cunha at its office at the Secretariat in the course of this year," he added. SEND IN YOUR feedback to the Goa NRI Commission by writing in to "Lokseva" <lokseva...@rediffmail.com>, and mention you read about it on Goanet. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------