Hi Tim I think the best approach is for NRGs to strengthen the hand of good people, good parties, and NGOs in Goa (like Floriano, Goa-Suraj, Aires, Goa-Desc, etc.) and not to become directly involved. These are many issues (mostly downside) for expat Goans to be involved directly, some of which are:
1. There is a suspicion among the locals of expat motives and involvement. I am not surprised since I cannot point to many NRG initiatives which have helped Goa. Expat Goans are busy organizing dances, church feasts, picnics. Heaven forbid their song-and-dance routine be interrupted. I actually think the expat Goan communities need more fixing than Goa. 2. I don't think expat-Canadians in Australia should be involved in Canadian politics (for example). It seems like meddling. Same with Goa. It will also seem like long-distance pontificating. 3. Currently there are about 100 active NGOs in Goa. They are doing a lot of work which has received little support from expat Goans. They need to be supported. It is better that issues of consumer rights, exercise of democracy, people empowerment, etc. come from the local population. They are aware of the issues and live at ground zero. 4. Do not assume an expat Goan will be any less corrupt or communalist! Even a woman! There are good and bad everywhere. For the record, there are far more good people in Goa than bad, although the latter have the headlines. 5. Finally, your suggestion of an expat-Goan CM, may come across to some as condecending towards the local population (I am sure you did not mean it that way) since it might seem that NRGs "know better". There are many capable people in Goa who can be CM now and replace the forces of corruption and communalism. Best wishes, George P.S. In a sense your suggestion of an expat Goan CM was taken up retroactively (aka Aires Rodrigues, an expat Goan who returned to Goa) ;-) --- Tim de Mello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Floriano: > > Thank you for your explanation of the system. > > But what is the way forward? > What I would like to know is how the NRIs can influence the political system in Goa. > There is not much point criticizing the goings-on in Goa if we cannot play a part. > > Can you or anyone else suggest a way that the NRIs can play a part in the running of > Goa? > > Tim de Mello > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > CANADA > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
