Sir, I was closely following the past Global Goans Convention that had taken place in Kala Academy, sadly our govt. spent some money to publicize and to show that Govt. is really interested in the wellfare of NRI's but in reality they are not, but this time lets expect something from our govt. (NRI Commission)
I would also suggest that maintaining our names of Ration Cards and other documents is also necessary. On 9th of November 2008, I was in the cabin of our Revenue Minister at the new Secretariat and discussed the ration cards and maintaining our names on the Electrol rolls issue in his chamber. Ex.MLA Mr.Victor Gonsalves of Santa Cruz lead the delegation.Mr. Jose Filipe D'Souza was very kind to listen and sympathetic but ... Did the govt. is really ready to help the NRI ? Whatever may be the results lets keep going. Floriano Fernandes. President-International Voice for Romi Konkani-UK. ________________________________ From: rene barreto <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, November 5, 2009 7:50:32 AM Subject: [GOAN-NRI] Global Goans Convention to be held at Oman ________________________________ From: Wilson Coelho <[email protected]> To, Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa, Secretariat, Porvorim – GOA Hon’ble Commissioner, Greetings to the organizers of Global Goans Convention to be held at Oman on November 5th and 6th 2009, from the Goan Welfare Society (GWS)– Kuwait. GWS in coordination with the World Alliance of Goan Associations (Coordinators of World Goa Day) wish to present a memorandum enlisting various issues concerning the Goan Diaspora spread world wide together with suitable solutions in the best interest of Goa and Goans:- 1. Need for registered/recogniz ed Body in Goa: -Global Goan Convention is, indeed, a good forum to interact with Goan Diaspora far and wide not only to revive our rich and cultural heritage but also help to keep a very close link with the motherland for its economic prosperity. In this regard, it is necessary to register a Body in Goa comprising of Retirees linked with Goan Diaspora duly recognized by the Office of the Commissioner of NRI Affairs in order to function and carry out the task assigned to them by the Goan Diaspora. 2. Visa requirement for Persons of Goan Origin: - Several issues of vital importance have been raised at the various Global Goan Conventions in the past without any positive results. One such issue is that of Persons of Goan origin holding Pakistani Passports where appeal was made to ease their plight to obtain Visit Visas in order to enable them to visit India. We regret that the issue is still in its infancy and nothing concrete has transpired. Is there a solution to this effect forthcoming? Likewise persons of Goan origin born in Pakistan even though holding Canadian, American, European etc. Nationalities, the process to obtain the Visit Visas to India are faced with similar problems as mentioned above. 3. Recognition of Indian Degrees Abroad: - The issue of recognition of Graduation Degrees conferred on successful students by Indian Universities with regard to the prevailing system of 10+2+3 are not recognized globally and the status still continues to be the same despite of taking up the matter at previous Global Goan Conventions. We regret to once again bring up the matter because prospective job seekers abroad are faced with immense hardships and denial of due credit with respect to their qualifications. The international standard requires that the Graduation Degree should be of total four years whereas Indian Degrees being of three years fall short of one year. This anomaly needs to be corrected or International Standard should match with our system of Education 4. Recognition of Goa University Engineering Degrees:- As regards Engineering Degrees conferred by Goa University are still not recognized despite being told that the matter was taken up and settled. In Kuwait, the Society of Engineers still do not accept the Goa University Engineering Degrees. 5. Centre for Training in Goa:- Skilled and Semi-Skilled man power together with the domestic helpers should be trained in the field of their profession before taking up jobs in the Gulf. In order to achieve this goal it was proposed to set up a Centre in Goa to impart training but no results are seen. The only partial training that is imparted, to our knowledge, is spoken Arabic 6. Diploma/Professiona l Studies in Kuwait:- In one of our of earlier Memoranda, up gradation of the Educational system in the Middle East in order to facilitate the students to complete higher education as per the Indian system was made but regrettably the matter is still lingering on. The highest education in the Middle East for which the local Governments have given sanction is upto the STD XII (under graduate). There is a need for imparting Diploma education in the professional streams similar to those courses conducted by Fr Agnel Ashram / Don Bosco in India. This matter needs to be addressed to the local authorities in the Middle East so that those Indian Institutions who wish to conduct such courses may be facilitated. 7. Football Ground/IAC :-Indian Arts Circle i.e premises owned and built by Indian Diaspora in the Gulf Country where Indian Community leaders come together to invest in such social causes to foster amity among the Indian Community, the Embassy in such a region should coordinate with the local Authorities to obtain necessary grant of land on lease (ownership is not permitted). Similarly open space for the purpose of utilizing as Football Grounds should be authorised by the local authorities through the intervention of the Embassy. With the growing use of vacant land for the purpose of commercial and residential purposes, the grounds that earlier were used unhindered for the purpose of conducting Football games and other activities are no longer available. 8. More Direct Goa/Kuwait Flights:-Although there are a few flights operated by Air Indian or Indian Airlines direct to Goa and back, there is a growing demand by other airlines to operate direct flights between Kuwait and Goa. But for the want of landing rights other airlines are not granted licenses to operate. The monopoly of single airline should end and the way that is possible is by encouraging competition through open sky policy as is done in other states of India like Chennai, Kerala, Kochi, Ahmadabad, Calicut etc. 9. Insurance Coverage for Low wage Workers:- In line with the proposal put forward on previous occasions, the insurance coverage for domestics helpers and other low wage workers – special insurance coverage should be extended as is done in the case with other Indian State governments 10. One Window Clearance for Projects/Enterprise s:-The much talked about “one window clearance” for establishing a business enterprises has still not found favour with the Government of Goa resulting in entrepreneurs having to face innumerable hardships while obtaining the required licenses. It is high time that the Government of Goa thinks in line with drawing out a master plan and publicising the same so that those entrepreneurs who want to give back to their land are made aware of the opportunities that lie in Goa. 11. Allotment of Land for NRI City:- Allocation of Land to build an unique NRI city in Goa through the registered body. 12. Selection and appointments of the team, under NRI Commissioner, must be based on the knowledge and experience. It may be pointed out that one of the officials of the NRI Commission, made unpleasant remarks, such as, how much money you people have to make investments. It was a very crude remark, lacking in knowledge and experience in the industry and an offence to the learned NRIs who know what they talk and what they understand. 13. The Goa Diaspora, are not involved in politics nor are they interested in politics, but wish to work for the welfare and well being of Goa and Goans, and to this end the Office of the Commissioner of NRI Affairs, must extend all support and assistance, when requested for. 14. If the purpose of the NRI Commission is to provide facilities to the Goan Diaspora then it is imperative that the Goan Diaspora be taken into confidence and encouraged to contribute towards building Goa as an unique state. If not, there is no need of having an office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs. We might as well opt to work with the Union Ministry of NRI Affairs, headed by Minister Shri Ravi Valliyar, who is doing an excellent job for the Indian Diaspora. 15. With your past track record of being a capable leader, which we witnessed during fateful invasion of Kuwait and your involvement in the evacuation process of Indian then, much is hoped from your leadership. 16. The general complaint is that emails and other official correspondence is not being acknowledged or replied is causing a lot of unrest among the Goan Diaspora. Achievements need to be highlighted and communicated to the Associations spread worldwide. This can be achieved once the proposed Registered Body is established. In view of the major concerns and issues highlighted in this memorandum, it is hereby requested that Office of the NRI Commissioner takes up the causes with more seriousness and strive to achieve the desired results, within time bound limits. Unless we take up issues and produce results that are satisfactory to the Goan Diaspora, such Global Goan Conventions will only serve as waste of time and money of the Goan Public Exchequer, at the cost of the people We do sincerely hope that this Global Goans Convention at Oman, will be a move in the right direction and whatever is discussed and decided here will not be consigned to the achieves, after the convention is over. Yours in service, Alex Wilson Coelho Rabindra Pimenta Sharon De SousaHon. President Treasurer ________________________________
