Hi Everyone, We need more homegrown engineering, software and management professionals in Goa - see inspiring story of a Pune lad Gangadhar Botla below - the son of a tailor - now turned software professional.
In Goa today, underqualified Goan, Gaon Goon tailors hold positions of power as ministers in the state Government - for example Mickky Pacheco. Who is he inspiring ? More Goan Gaon Goons to follow him into politics ? That's got to change, if Goa aspires to shine like the rest of India in this global high tech economy ! Goanetters can argue about Demand & Supply Theories, Adam Smith and Keynesian economics till they are blue in the face - Without ambitious grass roots educational initiatives, we are leaving the door open for "Bhailles" (outsiders) to take over Goa and more uneducated Goan Gaon Goon tailors in the Goa Government ! Its about time that Goa's pioneering IITian-turned former CM Manohar Parrikar organize IIT and Engineering/Software career awareness seminar campaigns all over Goa ! There should be no opportunities for unqualified Goan Gaon Goons whether Christao or Kokne in the Goa Government !!! Best Regards, Dr. Carmo D'Cruz Goan, IITian - Class of 82 Indian Harbour Beach, Florida Tailor's son sews up software career Manjiri Damle [ 22 Jul, 2006 0054hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ] RSS Feeds| SMS NEWS to 8888 for latest updates PUNE: Four years ago he used to stitch buttons on to clothes tailored by his father and iron them in a 100-square-foot tenement in the Ghorpade Peth slum. Today, the same fingers are busy tapping on a computer keyboard, designing software in a swank office in the Information Technology Park in Hinjewadi here. It is sheer grit, determination and hard work that enabled Gangadhar Botla to attend night school, help his father tailor clothes, do a part-time job to support a family of six, study under street lights near the Ghorpade Peth crematorium, and secure a place in both the SSC and HSC merit list in 2001 and 2003. However, his most cherished dream of becoming a computer professional seemed impossible as the annual fees for the course was Rs 28,000 much beyond his means. But it was a story on Gangadhar's talent and his battle against poverty, published in The Times of India (June 6, 2003) that opened a door of opportunity for him. Touched by his struggle, Nitin Rai, chief executive officer of US firm First Insight Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd., decided to sponsor Gangadhar's education at Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology here. Aware that he had to do a part-time job to support his family, Rai also took him on as a trainee in his Hinjewadi office. Last week Gangadhar passed the Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) course with 78 per cent marks. "I feel immensely proud of Gangadhar. He has not only excelled in academics but has proved to be a smart and loyal worker," remarked Rai. Gangadhar has been absorbed as a junior software engineer at First Insight. One look at Gangadhar's beaming face says it all. "Aai-Baba pan khush aahet (My parents are also happy)", he said. Father Nandu continues to be a small-time tailor, while mother Vijaya still makes bidis in a factory. He intends to work for a couple of years, then complete a masters degree. Said Rai, "Gangadhar has been assigned work on critical software development projects with a lot of responsibility. He is a fast learner and completes challenging projects with minimum supervision... I wonder how many Gangadhars would there be in Pune who need a little help." What really made Rai go out of his way to help Gangadhar? "My father had to suffer similar hardships when he came to Delhi from Pakistan after Partition," revealed Rai, who still gets emotional while recounting his father's struggles. "Gangadhar struck a cord in me... I wish to do it (help a deserving student) again," he concluded. _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org