DO A BETTER JOB, EXPATS TELL GOA POLITICIANS
By Frederick Noronha

Panjim, Dec 28: Goan expatriates spread out across the globe
stressed their urge to keep up ties with their roots, but some
those abroad say they are concerned about recent developments in
the state and blamed politicians for "ruining" Goa.

"Politicians have done enough for themselves. They should think
about doing something for Goa now," said former student leader
Aires Rodrigues, a London-based Goan who has recently re-settled
here.

Other speakers voiced skepticism about how much politicians could
help out. Said an educationist from the US: "In Goa, we must
develop bodies which stay ahead of politicians. I don't think
politicians can give us the vision in areas where we need them."

These views came up at the first-ever convention of NRI Goans to
be held on a state-sponsored platform -- organised by the
Institute Menezes Braganza -- in Panjim on Tuesday.

It was also felt that networking among the expat community and
initiatives taken up by them should best be left to individual
initiatives, or voluntary initiatives, instead of depending on
politicians.

Rodrigues called on Goa's politicians to build a better
infrastructure in the state, including roads and hospitals. He
charged that the former tourism minister had spent tens of
thousands of rupees -- or 5065 pounds -- for his beverage bill
alone while on a recent junket to the World Travel Mart in
London.

Responding to views of the expats, industries minister Alexio
Sequeira said that he too was an overseas Goan, having been born
in Mombasa and returning to Goa in 1970.

Sequeira argued: "Corruption is supposed to be there (among
politicians in Goa). Nobody has been able to prove it. These are
only allegations."

Said editor Chandrakant Keni, one of the organisers of the meet:
"Because of remittances from Gulf Goans, this state is calm and
peaceful. Otherwise, with the ratio of unemployment we have in
Goa, the state would have been ready for revolt."

Keni stressed that Goans could maintain their identity by
promoting the Konkani language. But some suggested that strenuous
efforts were need to make it easier for expat Goans to learn
Konkani, by putting out simple books or through the Internet.

President of the Melbourne-based Club de Goa, Luis de Souza of
Saligao promised to help.

"It's a two-way street. If you guys don't ask, we won't know what
is needed. There are a lot of things which we need to know, but
don't," said Souza. But the Internet was also helping to keep
Goans in touch with their home he said.

Frank Carvalho of the UK said Goans formerly in East Africa,
carried a "club-house culture" with them to the UK. This, he
suggested, was not particularly helpful in current times, and was
acting as a "millstone round their necks".

"We're trying to develop a new culture (in the UK)," he said.
Carvalho elaborated on how Goans in London were undertaking a
transition. This was needed specially after a recent fire had
destroyed their club house, which anyway could not play the same
role as such institutions did in East Africa, he said.

Principal Suresh Amonkar, who was based in Mombasa in the late
'fifties, said: "Every Goan feels nostalgic and wants to find his
roots. There is a need for continuing dialogue between Goans in
Goa and their counterparts abroad."

Referring to divisions within the Goan community, he however
pointed out that at one stage, Nairobi, with a population of some
10,000 Goans had as many as five clubs.

Marlon Menezes, in an interesting presentation, spoke of the
efforts of expatriates to lend a hand by promoting computer
education in Goa, through various voluntary initiatives.

Law professor Dr Carmo D'Souza suggested the setting up of an
impartial, academically-sound research institution that could
help give Goa a higher profile internationally.

"Publication of a book is a very frustrating activity in Goa,"
said Dr D'Souza. He suggested that Konkani literature should be
translated into English so that it could get a wider audience.

"Before Liberation, Goa was in the backwaters. Today it is in the
high storms," said Prof Daniel D'Souza, outlining the social,
economic and demographic changes taking place in Goa. But he said
Goans had an ability to assimilate.

Sabina Martins of the women's collective Bailancho Saad sought
help from expatriates to deal with problems faced by maids and
other deprived Goan expats, while social activist Roland Martins
said the NRIs needed to be aware of what he said were plans to
foist a free port on an unaware state.

Vivian Dias of Colva, and Cedric D'Costa of St Estevam -- two
young expats studying in the US -- gave detailed guidance on how
youngsters from here could seek admission in varsities in North
America.

"Getting to the US as a student is not very, very difficult. But
it requires a lot of careful planning," said Dias, who is part of
the GOYAN (Goan Young Adult Network) that links up some 300 Goans
worldwide through the Internet.

Cheryl D'Souza, daughter of former deputy speaker Simon D'Souza
of Vasco now in the UK, advised youth: "Travel the world, and
look around. But remember you're a king only in your own land."

Film-maker from Ireland Savio Siqueira however cautioned youth
against believing that "enlightenment came from the West". He
said that in his experience youth from the Gambia, where he had
made a film, were all aspiring to go West. "Enlightening comes
from within yourself," he stressed.

Agnel Crasto suggested a directory of Goan organisations
worldwide, so that this could help build links among the diaspora
scattered in so many countries.

Dr Nandkumar Kamat stressed that expatriate Goans could help in
preparing an online course for students, including in Goa, that
could help a large number in the field of education. He voiced
concern about the "demographic changes" taking place in Goa, due
to in-migration.

Earlier, Manovikas of Margao was awarded the first prize in the
software contest for schools. This contest was conducted by the
Computer Society of India (Goa) for the GoaCom award of Rs 20,000
in an elaborate contest held over two rounds.

The Sharp Award was also presented to the Best IT Facilitator
Sabino Cotta of St Mary's High School of Varca. He is a teacher
at the school, and has been working beyond office timings to help
the computerisation of this village-based school. (ENDS)