Dear Press and Media community of Goa: *(170+ recipients marked in Bcc...note that this is a monitored mail ID so please do not hesitate to reply back if you have any questions)*
As you are already aware GITP is an apolitical voluntary association with our members employed in the Indian IT industry contributing their personal time and resources to promote a locally sustainable IT industry in Goa through our strategy not to criticize but to enable as well as pressurize the governmental bodies into action for time bound results towards our cause. We had met the IPB team as well as the Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar, on 07-Feb-2015 and offered to work together with them to get things done towards attracting at least a couple mid-sized IT companies into Goa on priority. However while the governmental progress has been slow in all these months our voluntary group has done the things listed below on our own and we leave it to the Goan public to judge as to how much more can be done by, and also should be expected of, the Goa government. Our GITP team apprised Mr. Parsekar about these GITP activities and our concerns about the grim situation owing to the government’s lackadaisical progress when we met him last week on 01-Sep-2015 at the Secretariat and had a very intense 40 minute discussion. This meeting was also attended by the Goa Assembly Speaker Mr. Arlekar, Chief Secretary Mr. Srivastava, Director Dept. of IT Mrs. Shinde and IPB OSD Mr. Tulshidas Pai. The GITP team comprised of Yash Ganthe, Vincent Toscano, Gaurish Abhisheki, Gaurish Kambli and Tirathprasad Nagvekar. GITP’s key question to the Chief Minister was, “What more do you need from a voluntary group like GITP to enable the governmental machinery to get its act together and proactively chase suitable IT companies to be brought into Goa?” Mr. Parsekar was appreciative of GITP efforts and was forthcoming with his ideas on how certain things could be expedited. He has committed a monthly review meeting with GITP Core Team to monitor the progress and plan things ahead. GITP voluntary activities since February 2015 to enable the Goa government promote IT industry in Goa: 1. GITP has been proactively monitoring the Indian and global business news space for IT and technology companies having expansion plans in order to bring such opportunities to the notice of Goa government leadership, Dept. of IT and IPB. As a result 20+ such leads have been sent by GITP till date. However the official response has been lukewarm, knee-jerk at best on occasions and almost no visible action in reality. 2. On 07-July-2015, GITP had pointed out to the Goa govt. and IPB officials the annual Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2015 conference that will be held in Goa on 2-5 November this year at the Grand Hyatt Goa (Bambolim) in order to exploit it as an opportunity to promote Goa as a “365 days on Innovation” destination to the global audience of CIOs in attendance at this event. After the initial interest shown by the officials there has been no subsequent visible action in this regard by the Goa govt. and IPB. 3. GITP had carefully prepared and proposed a detailed day-long program agenda (see details below this mail) to the Goa govt. leadership for an impactful launch in Goa, and subsequent long-term sustenance of the visionary nation-wide Digital-India campaign of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Goan society stands to immensely benefit all-round from Digital-India given our highly literate demographic and the existing semi-urban infrastructure even in our villages. This agenda and our commitment of full-support to Digital-India in Goa was in response to a request from South Goa MP, Narendra Sawaikar, followed by his 30min conference call with our GITP Core Team to understand his vision and ideas. Unfortunately now it is 2 months since we shared the agenda with him and subsequently the Goa govt. but no action has been visibly taken nor any of our reminders responded to. 4. GITP's open offer to the Goa govt. and IPB to work hand-in-hand with them on preparing presentations/material required to re-brand Goa as a “365 days on Innovation” destination and even to deliver such presentations to the prospective IT companies' management has gone unutilized since February 2015 despite our multiple follow-up reminders with govt. officials unwilling to give us even just 5 minutes of their time to plan the immediate next steps. 5. When the Goa government released its 10-page draft IT Policy on 23-May-2015, GITP took it onto itself to study the state IT policies of other successful IT destinations in India and identify the relevant best practices therein adapted to the Goan context. Additionally a number of original ideas and recommendations from the GITP group members were similarly collated. All of this was then formulated in policy language and a re-drafted 18-page policy document was submitted to the Goa government and its detailed walkthrough done on a telephonic conference call to the Director Dept. of IT Mrs. Shilpa Shinde. The final policy which was to be out by end of June’15 is still awaited. 6. Recently when the Goa DoIT expressed helplessness due to unavailability of IT company contacts, GITP directed them to Nasscom where they could get the complete and latest details of 1900+ IT and related companies which are registered therein. Subsequently one of our GITP Core Team members even purchased at personal expense of Rs.1200 a publicly available database of 4700+ Indian IT, Electronics and related companies which has been shared with DoIT, IPB and Goa govt. 7. GITP project GEIT (Goans Empowered with IT) to promote IT education in Goan village schools for better employment in collaboration with the wider Goan IT and academic community took off on 01-Sep-2015. It aims to expose students to career opportunities in Computers and related technologies influencing all spheres of human life today through a series of interactive sessions and courses to spark their interest and explore further on their own. This project also aims to help school teachers use IT to make regular subjects more interesting, engaging and experiential to the students. In 2015 GITP is working with 3 schools in Goa and will include more in subsequent years. However the current sorry state of IT infrastructure in village schools is a serious risk to this project with most government-provided computers non-functional due to expired warranty and a highly unreliable GBBN connection. GITP is looking forward to Goa govt. support with a couple new schemes to enable village schools to get such issues resolved on a war footing. 8. GITP has embarked on another project to collate a Goa Skills Registry (GSR) on the lines of the National Skills Registry to establish a database of modern skills among all Goans worldwide. The objective is to use this data as an input to state government policy formulation to promote locally sustainable modern industries in Goa. The GSR portal will be thrown open to the public over the next few days. During our 01-Sep-2015 meeting with the CM and team, we brought to their notice certain points pertinent to the long term success of IT industry in Goa: 1. For the initial 2-3 IT/ESDM companies the Goa government should go all out and offer as many incentives as possible to overcome the disadvantageous position Goa finds itself versus other larger industrialized states. CM promised his govt. will go all out in this regard and accepted GITP’s offer to jointly work with the govt. to make things happen. 2. All of Goa should be declared as eligible for the benefits of the new IT policy keeping in mind the nature of IT work which is being done by young people working from home. Additionally any IT and ESDM companies located in industrial estates other than the proposed Tuem ESDM and Chimbel IT Parks should be allowed to avail of all such benefits. This will help take out the constraint posed by the long lead time involved in getting these 2 new parks ready for the industry. CM expressed his openness to this idea. 3. GITP recommended that any IT or ESDM company once approved by the state govt. should be given exemption from the many archaic laws and clearances which are today used by Panchayats, Labor Dept. and others govt. bodies to harass Goan entrepreneurs. Efficiency and transparency of governmental processes with respect to plot allotments and the entire process of doing IT and ESDM business in Goa needs to move many notches higher than where it stands today. Specifics in this regard were presented to the CM and his team, including the sorry state of the Panchwadi industrial estate which is presently unsuitable for any industrial activity contrary to government’s claims. CM directed the Chief Secretary and Director (IT) to look into these matters. 4. Goa government needs to review the current space utilization in its offices as well as vacant/un-utilized sheds in industrial estates with the freed up space then being made available for IT and ESDM businesses. This would immediately help overcome space constraints especially for IT industry given its minimal work space requirements per employee. CM took this idea further and felt that even the unoccupied houses in Goan villages could be considered for such space which will also help in their upkeep. 5. GITP pointed out to the CM and his team that Goa does not even figure on the official website of the DEITY (i.e. central Dept. of Electronics and IT) and its EDF (i.e. Electronics Development Fund). And also that Goa should have an integrated Dept. of Electronics and IT given the synergies between the 2 fields as already recognized at the national level. Chief Secretary, Srivastava, confirmed to the CM that this was theoretically feasible and would be considered. Director, Dept of IT was asked by CM to look into the EDF matter. 6. GITP team suggested to the CM to permit a confidential review of the final Goa IT Policy by the GITP Core Team and few other relevant bodies before its public release so that any potential issues to its long-term success could be identified and solution possibilities explored. CM agreed and directed the Director Dept. of IT to look into this matter. >From what is publicly visible the Goa government machinery has so far fallen short of what even voluntary groups like GITP have achieved with their part-time dedication to the cause. The lack of meaningful action so far does make us at GITP seriously doubt the depth of vision, commitment to the stated intent as well as the basic competence of the Goa govt. machinery to comprehend the benefits of a locally sustainable IT industry and take urgent concrete steps to get things done beyond the noise of shallow promises and claims. Post our 01-Sep-2015 meeting with CM and his team, GITP is looking forward to greater levels of thought, pro-activeness and energy from the Goa govt. in pursuing the above matters to closure to honor the CM’s commitment to us. GITP also looks forward to the next monthly progress review meeting with the CM and his team. We seek active support from the Goan press and media community in our noble cause of promoting a locally sustainable IT industry in Goa. Please do not sensationalize this matter but genuinely persist with it for the long-term cause of Goa and Goans. Regards, Goa IT Professionals www.goaitpro.org ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Goa IT Professionals <goa...@gmail.com> Date: Fri, Aug 21, 2015 at 5:50 PM Subject: Fwd: Digital-India@Goa launch seminar agenda To: cm....@nic.in, dir-indu....@nic.in, geetika.go...@cii.in, i...@infotechgoa.com, manoharparri...@yahoo.co.in, parimal....@nic.in, Atul Pai Kane <atulpaik...@gmail.com>, Faizi Hashmi <faizihas...@gmail.com>, Goa Director DoIT <dir-dit....@nic.in>, KESHAV CHANDRA <keshav.chan...@nic.in>, Parimal Rai <parimal...@hotmail.com>, Srinet Kothwale <sgoa2...@gmail.com>, "subhash.phaldessai" <subhash.phaldes...@yahoo.com>, Nitin Kunkolienker < nitin.kunkolien...@smartlink.co.in>, cs-...@nic.in, Martin Ghosh < martin.gh...@syngenta.com>, Atul Pai Kane <a...@paikane.com>, Nitin Kunkolienker <nitinkunkolien...@gmail.com>, Nana Bandekar <n...@nrbgroup.biz>, Kirit Maganlal <ki...@magsons.in>, Tulasidas Pai <tulasidas...@gmail.com>, Managing Director - Infotech Corp of Goa <m...@infotechgoa.com>, Siddesh Parab <siddeshpa...@gmail.com>, christopher.par...@nic.in Cc: narendra sawaikar <sawaikar.naren...@gmail.com> Dear all, Sharing with you the agenda our GITP core team had put together on Mr. Sawaikar's request for a day long DigitalIndia program in Goa. We believe Mr. Sawaikar's thought process was in the right direction and the program we had proposed below would have a great impact on the budding next generation of Goa. Kindly consider this suggestion and let us know if you need any help from our GITP group to successfully carry out this program and its subsequent phases. We would appreciate your response indicating your interest in this program within a week from now (i.e. by 27Aug) after which GITP will make a press statement in this regard. Regards, Goa IT Professionals www.goaitpro.org Forwarded message ---------- From: Goa IT Professionals <goa...@gmail.com> Date: Wed, Aug 19, 2015 at 1:31 PM Subject: Re: Digital-India@Goa launch seminar agenda To: narendra sawaikar <sawaikar.naren...@gmail.com> Dear Mr. Sawaikar, It is 1.5 months since we proposed you the below agenda for the DigitalIndia program in Goa. We are concerned that we have not heard back from you since nor any official announcements have been made regarding such similar program in Goa. Our GITP group is dedicated to the cause of locally sustainable IT industry in Goa and would like to know if you are still pursuing this matter and how we can help enable it further towards success. Kindly indicate your interest by 20-August-2015 in the absence of which we will pursue it with the Goa government since we firmly believe in its urgent need and positive impact on our Goan youngsters and the society at large. Thanking you for your support and counting all the more on the same going forward. -- Regards, Goa IT Professionals www.goaitpro.org On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 1:41 PM, Goa IT Professionals <goa...@gmail.com> wrote: > Dear Sir, > > We understand that our GITP President, Gurudev Naik, is in touch with you > on this matter and has clarified to you that the Gartner conference in > November is unrelated to Goa except that it is being held in Goa. > > Do let us (or Gurudev Naik) know if you need any further details or > changes to the agenda we have proposed above for your Digital-India program > in Goa. And also any other support required from GITP to make Digital-India > highly successful in Goa. > > All the best! > > Regards, > Goa IT Professionals > www.goaitpro.org > > On Tue, Jul 7, 2015 at 7:41 PM, Goa IT Professionals <goa...@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Dear Mr. Sawaikar, >> >> >> >> GITP appreciates your vision for promoting the Digital-India initiative >> in Goa and for giving our core team your precious time last Sunday morning >> to discuss regarding the same. >> >> >> >> As explained in our call we request you to kindly consider the following >> for the long-term success of this initiative: >> >> - >> >> *Sustainability:* A dedicated taskforce to organize regular >> events/seminars every quarter to sustain and maximize impact of >> Digital-India in Goa with the progress transparently measured on >> pre-defined parameters/targets. >> - >> >> *Speed: *Organize this event latest by end of August 2015 before the >> novelty of Digital-India wears off with other states surging ahead. Also >> the long-pending Goa IT Policy needs to be expedited now and its release >> targeted at this event as it would be a befitting occasion where all >> relevant stakeholders could be brought together on a common platform to >> constructively brainstorm and support the successful implementation of >> this >> policy. >> - >> >> *World-class launch event: *Lets show rest of India and the world >> that Goa can deliver truly world-class technological events in terms of >> meticulous planning, impeccable execution, globally reputed speakers for >> the sessions, creatively designed immersive IT experience for the >> attendees >> and a live webcast of the day-long activities to the world. >> >> >> >> Please find below the proposed agenda for the 1-day seminar targeted at >> School and College students to trigger their awareness and curiosity about >> digital technologies and career opportunities therein. Do share your >> feedback on this agenda and we can accordingly refine it further. >> >> >> >> *Session Title* >> >> *Duration* >> >> *COMMON TRACK* >> >> *2.5hr* >> >> Inauguration with lighting traditional lamp >> >> 15min >> >> Short speeches by political leaders on Digital India campaign, IT >> awareness, eGovernance w.r.t. India, Goa down to village level >> >> 45min >> >> Inspiring & interactive key note session: Our world in the next 10 years! >> >> 60min >> >> Roadmap for this Digital-India@Goa initiative (next 1 year) >> >> 20min >> >> Vote of thanks to all dignitaries & volunteers >> >> 10min >> >> *SCHOOL TRACK* >> >> *COLLEGE TRACK* >> >> *4hr* >> >> Global IT innovation by kids >> >> Career Guidance (IT & related fields) >> >> 60min >> >> Simplified mobile apps (code.org) >> >> eCommerce & Mobile apps >> >> 60min >> >> Simplified robotics >> >> Robotics >> >> 60min >> >> Art in IT! (design, animation, …) >> >> 3D printing, other latest IT trends >> >> 60min >> >> *COMMON TRACK* >> >> *1.5hr* >> >> Conclusion with targets & plan for next quarter’s event >> >> 30min >> >> Entertainment – music show with refreshments, departure >> >> 60min >> >> >> >> Please do not hesitate to reach us at GITP for any further support >> regarding this particular event, your Digital-India@Goa initiative in >> general or any other matters pertaining to promotion of locally sustainable >> IT industry in Goa. >> >> -- >> Regards, >> Goa IT Professionals >> www.goaitpro.org >> > > > > -- > Regards, > Goa IT Professionals > www.goaitpro.org > -- Regards, Goa IT Professionals www.goaitpro.org -- Regards, Goa IT Professionals www.goaitpro.org -- Regards, Goa IT Professionals www.goaitpro.org