STATEMENT OF SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS AT HIS PRESS
BRIEFING
(February 25, 2008)
Some of our expatriates are keen to participate in the development of their
villages and towns in Goa. With this objective, we have finalized a scheme
to be known as "My Village". The works to be taken up under the scheme
should be developmental in nature based on locally felt needs and their use
should be available to the public at large. They could be schools,
libraries, gymnasiums, play grounds, hospital equipment, shelters for the
old and handicapped etc. The maintenance and upkeep of such assets should be
ensured by a Government organization such as the local Panchayat or a
non-Governmental organization. The project should be submitted by the
Non-Resident Goan to our office for clearance. It will then be taken up for
execution after the interested NRG has advanced 50% of the project cost. The
balance will be borne by the State Government from the budget of this Office
upto a ceiling of Rs. 10 lakh. A signboard carrying the name of the
concerned NRG and his contribution will be permanently and prominently
displayed at the site.
Youth of Goan origin who are not Indian nationals should have an opportunity
to discover India, its glorious past, exciting present and promising future.
They should also interact with the youth of Goa and elsewhere in India. For
this purpose, we have formulated the "Know Goa Programme" (KGP). The
programme will be held for a fortnight in December next and will be an
annual feature. 10 youths from the Goan diaspora, professionals and students
in the age group of 18 to 26 years, will participate in the programme.
Besides taking part in events in Goa they will also visit one more State in
India. This year it will be Delhi. The participants should have
distinguished themselves in a particular field and should have an abiding
interest in India. Applications from interested persons should be submitted
to their nearest Consulate or Embassy of India so that they are received in
this office on or before August 31, 2008.
During my recent visit to the Gulf countries I had the opportunity to view
Al Jazeera Television. Al Jazeera in English with its 24 hours news and
current affairs programmes is of the highest global quality. It brings a
refreshing balance to international news coverage and can provide a new
option to Indian viewers beyond the conventional BBC and CNN. However, I was
given to understand that Al Jazeera Television is facing some difficulties
in transmitting its programmes in India. I have written to the Union
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Shri Priyaranjan Das Munshi
requesting him to accord approval for broadcasting Al Jazeera in India as
quickly as possible, given the speed with which this channel is gaining
popularity worldwide. (ENDS)
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS
(Cabinet Minister Rank)
GOVERNMENT OF GOA
