------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | New on Goanet's website's A&E section - http://www.goanet.org | | Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - João da Veiga Coutinho | | POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James | | http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid!6 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Goa Knowledge Revolution by V. M. de Malar
We Goans tend to stand on the sidelines even when our own future is being decided. The aloofness and cynicism is mostly justified; Goa has been continually let down by the political class, whether homegrown or national cadres. Our resources are endlessly plundered and mismanaged, our state is too often viewed by Delhi through an inappropriate communal prism, and even as we've lurched to the position of India's best-off state (and wildly successful international tourism hotspot), we're all painfully aware that Goa's achievements have come despite official bumbling and the system's utter venality. So, when the Government constitutes yet another officious commission, to prepare yet another lengthy document, it's not cause for much more than the usual yawns and bored expressions from jaded locals. Except that the Knowledge Commission, a high-powered panel of experts on education headed by former Goa University fixture, Professor Peter R. deSouza, has charged out of its starting gate most impressively, has already built a whole set of bridges to relevant sources of expertise, and thrown open an ambitious electronic forum that solicits the inputs and opinions of every Goan at home and in the diaspora. Visit www.knowledgeforgoa.com, and you can scarcely believe that this innovative, inclusive, reflective, and down-to-earth initiative comes from government appointees. "We live in a connected world," says the homepage that comes illustrated with folksy portraits of great sons of our soil like D D Kossambi and T.B. Cunha . "The pace of change that this connectedness produces is so rapid, involving so many levels, and having such far-reaching consequences, that all societies will, sooner rather than later, have to have policies and institutions in place… to turn challenge into opportunity." In the Indian context, Goa is almost uniquely poised to reap benefits from the Information Age, but we must be aware and adequately prepared. The webpage goes on, "A policy on education must convert this background advantage into a bankable asset. It must be relevant, forward looking, innovative, marketable and sustainable. It must add to the creative spaces that are present in Goa while…meeting the needs of the people and the economy. It must, in short, center Goa in the knowledge economy." It's so refreshing, and inspirational, to encounter this thoroughly democratic, thoroughly intelligent, approach. Professor deSouza elaborated, via email, that his group's "founding principle" is "the belief that there's a lot of wisdom "out there" which has to be accessed and brought into conversation with policy making. The use of an open democratic method is valuable for building a public imagination… A public imagination produces comparative knowledge, insights, and a willingness to try new pathways. It produces commitment, and also, through democracy, political pressure for good practice." The Internet will play a key role in harnessing this public imagination, the Knowledge Commission's website is meant to serve as meeting ground, bulletin board, information dissemination service, and common platform, all at once. "The aim," says Prof deSouza, "is to enable every Goan, or friend of Goa, anywhere in Goa or in the world, to participate in giving ideas for the vision document for education in Goa…They can now participate in multiple ways… The strategy is enabling and empowering."And so the ball is back in Goa's court. We've been challenged, as a culture, as a people, as a rickety but functioning society, and now it's time to get off the sidelines. Read the Commission's own words, they say it all rather lucidly. "Why are so many thousands of Goans unemployed or under-employed? Why do Goans lag behind in competitive exams? Why can't education in Goa be more job oriented? Why does Goa have so few opportunities such that all our bright students leave the state for foreign shores? The Goa Knowledge Commission hopes to take a critical look at education for its employment generating capacity. It wants to do this not without enlisting your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and ideas. We know that you have often wished that policy formulators have a more democratic approach. We know you have often wished for a forum to express your thoughts. Here is your chance. Visit the bulletin board of the Knowledge Commission and post your inputs. We assure you your thoughts matter." See you all at www.knowledgeforgoa.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. We share quality Goa-related writing among the 7000-strong readership of the Goanet/Goanet-news network of mailing lists. If you appreciated the thoughts expressed above, please send in your feedback to the writer. Our writers write -- or share what they have written -- pro bono, and deserve hearing back from those who appreciate their work. GoanetReader welcomes your feedback at goanet@goanet.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Goanet, building community, creating social capital for a decade. ----------------------------------------------------------------------