[Goanet] No kissing at Hindu weddings
-- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | || | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | || | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -- Interesting and entertaining articles below. Can you believe the folks in Rajasthan getting worked up about a little casual nudity, when we've had it in Goa for years? Just kidding! Perhaps the Goa government needs to do something similar to deal with drugs. Though I see lots of signs warning against pedophilia, I never seen any signs forbidding drugs in the beach shacks etc. Indecency guide for tourists to India http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4474528.stm Do not hug or kiss in public - even when meeting at stations and airports - and do not smoke or consume alcohol publicly either. These are some of the guidelines being given to tourists visiting a popular part of India's north-western Rajasthan state to ensure they can respect local culture. The guidelines come after a number of unfortunate cultural faux pas, including an Israeli couple kissing at their Hindu wedding ceremony and a Finnish woman walking naked down the streets of Pushkar. Another one- Israelis fined for wedding kiss http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4268058.stm The big question though is how 2 Israelis (presumably Jewish) were allowed to have a Hindu wedding in the first place. Regards, Daryl -- |Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | || | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Take back amp; distribute Soccer Balls | --
[Goanet]Interview with Lino Leitao
## # If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/# # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ## Thank you Fred for sharing the Interview with Lino Leitao I have always wondered if the characters in The Gift of the Holy Cross were influenced by the author, and your interview confirmed that. I agree with Mr. Leitao that Goa's don't read very much and don't appreciate the writing of other Goans. I however gain tremendously from reading this books which inform me about the lives and times that shaped my family. Obtaining books here is is difficult as the distributors are often waiting (indefinitely) for re-prints. Grant Buday's Golden Goa falls in this category. If there's anyone living in the US who happens to have a copy of this book they can lend (or sell)please get in touch with me. Best wishes, Daryl Martyris They don't buy sufficient books. There's no large Goan reading public. I don't quite know why; inspite of the higher literacy rates, they don't read their own writers. Other Indians very much do so. For book-signing events, I've hardly come across any Goan coming up for the same. In the State University of Chicago event, there were Whites and Blacks, but not a single Goan who came for this event. One researcher from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil has been working on my novel for her thesis.
[Goanet]Goa Computers Project - another perspective
I applaud Fred's article on 10 lessons from a Goan classroom. The Goa School Computers Project (GSCP), which started as an ad-hoc effort at its peak had a presence in over a 100 schools in the form of donated hardware. Today it has an active presence in about 20 schools in the form of teacher training, collaborative school projects, etc. Recently it was highlighted by a World Bank report as an international best practice in the use of the low-cost opensource solution. However,without belittling anyone's contribution, I must point out that what made it go from 5-6 schools helped by several individuals to dozens of schools was more an organized Non-Resident Goan funded professional NGO approach, and less of an ad-hoc volunteer driven effort as might be concluded from the article below. I write this to dispel any notions that a quick donation of cash or donated equipment or the occasional visit to a school is all it takes. Since 1999 till 2003, funds for GSCP operations were generously provided by Goa Sudharop (GS) in the US, and office support by the GS manager in Goa, Mario Mascarenhas. The project usually had full-time paid coordinator. Project coordination and oversight were provided on an expense-reimbursable basis by Ashley Delaney in Goa and me in the US. Without a co-ordination mechanism involving a paid staff, volunteers, the department of education and schools, all ad-hoc efforts would have been disjointed and quite frankly, totally inadequate given the scale of our undertaking. The project has now come of age as a locally registered Trust, Knowledge Initiative Trust (KIT). It is now independent of oversight by a US organization, and is seeking avenues to fund itself as well as to build a broad-based coalition as Fred suggests. I urge all individuals and organizations interested in IT in schools to visit the site listed below and contact KIT to co-ordinate their actions. While I have no argument with the govt effort to provide computers to individual students, few schools have more than 10 computers (a PC to student ratio of 1:3), and the government simply does not have the resources to provide thousands of PC's to both schools and individual students AND maintain them AND train teachers to get the most out of them AND provide Internet access. In my opinion, enlightened school management and continued local community financing will be necessary. PTA's simply have to get involved otherwise as Fred pointed out inertia of school managements and an unimaginative syllabus will result in computers continuing to be be used as glorified typewriters. PTA's have to pressure their managements to reach out to organizations like KIT to train their teachers in computers assisted teaching, to open the facilities to communities after school hours to generate revenue to maintian the equipment. If parents don't get involved, their kids will fall even further behind those from the more englightened city schools like Sharda Mandir or Rosary. What is now needed is less ad-hoc-ism, and more professionally guided coordinated action to scale up GSCP's best practices. Sincerely, Daryl Martyris Trustee Knowledge Initiative Trust www.gscp.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] p.s. I'd be curious to know how many on this list remember Marlon Menezes' annual GSCP on-line raffles, and if there is any interest in reviving it. Please write back to me if you supported the raffle in the past, and would support it if we had one again. Message: 17 From: Eddie Fernandes [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 10:35:44 - Subject: [Goanet]Ten lessons from a Goan classroom: FN: Express Computers. Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Headline: Ten lessons from a Goan classroom By Frederick Noronha Source Express Computers, 1 March 2004 at http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20040301/indiacomputes02.shtml ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]IAS - facts
Fred, The question is why an IAS officer was in an purely operational role in which local experience counts and not a policy one which requires great analytical skills. The present incumbent is not IAS and seems to be doing a better job (certainly no worse). Since this discussion has gone beyond simply IAS, to involve all government positions, to have an informed discussion, I visted the websites of the Goa Govt and the Kerala Govt. to see if I could figure out the proportion of locals in high-ranking administrative positions. Note that I chose Kerala randomly, and my definition of local is based on last names common to the state - definitely not a scientific basis % locals Kerala Goa Chief secretaries, Secretaries40% 0 Collectors 40% 0 Jt Secretaries60% 36% Under secretaries 60% 92% Directors/Commissioners ? ? The 60% indicates that I stopped counting, since the conclusion was clear. What this tells us is that while the results in first 2 categories might be expected since Goa has no IAS cadre and few appear for IAS, the other postions (jt and under secretaries) which are not reserved exclusively for IAS are also disproportionately filled by non-Goans. We already know that even director positions are occasionally filled by non-Goans. BTW I think this is unnecessarily being made into a Goan vs. Indian vs. Portuguese issue. Whether or not you consider Goans as Indians or not, a simple look at the stats above should tell us that far more Keralites govern themselves than do Goans. I believe that Kerala is ahead of Goa on every human development indicator except income. More importantly, I know that Kerala has made more progress on every indicator since 1947 than Goa has since 1961 (at least in education for sure). Ergo, notwithstanding political will (which is probably equally bad in both places), I think that there's something to be said about local expertise to solve local problems. Maybe having family and friends locally that one care's about, or the fact that one would have to stick around to face the consequences of one's action (or inaction) makes one do one take one's job more seriously..I don't know... May I also point out that the statement below is not relevant to the discussion, and is also patently false? Easterly's (Former senior advisor World Bank) book The elusive quest for growth.. suggests that Goa was subsidized (as opposed to looted) by the Portuguese. I happen to know because I was forced to read it for a class. Since he is neither Indian nor Portuguese and deals in facts for a living, I trust his account. In any event, one can always consider Portuguese citizenship as a kind of reparations for the looting, eh? =) cheers, Daryl Someone should tell this Collaco that the thousands of Goans who were part of the Portuguese administration were basically helping that regime to plunder the wealth of India. _ Store more e-mails with MSN Hotmail Extra Storage 4 plans to choose from! http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200362ave/direct/01/ ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]IAS again
p.s. For the benefit of those who are not aware of the distinction between the IAS and state level bureaucracies, the former is selected by the Union Public Service Commission, and the latter by State PSC's. I believe around 120 IAS officers are selected per year nationwide, and a few dozen IPS and IFS as well. IAS officers start as block development officers, move to District collectors and eventually end up as secretaries of different departments, as well as directors of those departments. Bureaucrats selected by the state PSC's cannot aspire to rise higher than deputy director of a department, though on occasion they rise to directors or even secretaries. Such indominable individuals are (derisivley) referred to as promotees, by their IAS kin. The IAS remains entirely merit-based and draws some of the brightest minds from across the country and hence generally (not alwys) produces a better quality product than the state commissions which ave been known to operate on the, shall we say, merit plus principle. ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]Goa IAS cadre
The whole purpose of a joint cadre is to help the officer develop expertise in a particular state instead of being frequently transferred around. It has little to do with being from Goa since I believe that only a third of officers belonging to any state'scadre can actually be residents of that state (due to national integration ostensibly). So, assuming Goa needed a cadre of 12 IAS officers, no more than 4 can be from Goa, even assuming that 4 Goans qualify. A few of us have experienced first-hand the devasting effect that frequent transfers of top officials can have, in our work with GSCP. It was also my experience that the one out-of state director of education I dealth with was absolutely clueless about the huge differences between Goa's school system and that of other state's. However I don't wish to generalize this experience. The advantage of a state cadre is that even if they get transferred to another department in Goa, at least they are still around to pull their weight while the new person gets up to speed. The Goa government would do well to push this issue, and simultaneously organizations like Rotary should consider sponsoring IAS exam preparation camps so that young Goans qualify in the first place. p.s. Whoever mentioned Julio Ribeiro - he's IPS, and I think Alban Couto is IFS - totally seperate from IAS, Message: 4 Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 16:15:27 -0800 (PST) From: halur rasho [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Goanet]Goans in IAS? To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] If I am not mistaken,Goa currently has a joint cadre with AP(Arunachal) and Mizoram. The BJP had proposed a joint cadre with Maharashtra or Karnatka, which was not viewed favorably. A state cadre is probably on the cards. A candidate is alloted to a state according rank and preference in the all india selection process. ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]Goans in IAS?
I've been noticing that lot of directors and secretaries of government departments are not Goans. I heard recently that the IAS still does not have a Goa cadre. Is this true? Does anyone know why is this is so? Is it because not enough Goans qualify for the IAS to deserve a seperate cadre? Does anyone know if any Goan has ever joined the IAS? I would think that not having a separate cadre is a tacit admission that Goans lack the capacity to be good administrators. Of course this doesn't imply that governance will automatically become any better if Goans head the departments, nor am I necessarily advocating a Goa for Goans theme. I'm just curious. best wishes, Daryl ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]linking Portuguese language and nationality - a good idea?
The controversy about Portuguese nationality makes me wonder why the Portuguese authorities don't require all applicants to demonstrate proof of familiarity with Portuguese language and culture. Sound crazy? Well, it could be a win-win situation for all concerned - here's how From the Portuguese perspective - 1. It will bolster the moral basis for the law in the first place and prevent Portuguese from perceiving (rightly or wrongly) that people seek Portuguese nationality ONLY for the benefit of working in other EU countries. 2. It will rejuvenate the Portuguese language usage of which is shrinking everywhere except Brazil. 3. It will pose an additional hurdle to non-eligible illegal applicants, who will then have to choose between the pain of learning when to use the subjunctive past and the past-less-than-perfect tenses, or alternate methods (such as being locked up in a shipping container for days on end) From the Goa perspective 1. Portugal has a declining labor force, and has been growing faster than the UK and Germany for many years now. It's probably just a matter of time before the Portuguese labor market offers salaries competitive with the UK, specially, but not limited to skilled workers. This is what happened with Ireland a decade ago. Knowledge of Portuguese will help Goans avail of these opportunities. 2. Brazil has recently made a move to greatly expand business ties with India. Knowledge of Portuguese will help Goans get a first stab at jobs in Brazilian owned firms in India 3. It will make a few people's grandpas and grandmas very happy =) regards, Daryl ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]Goa's Catholics under threat?
I found Mr. Ahmed's article in BBC interesting, but I felt it could have been a little more concrete as to the alleged threat to the Catholic community. I also recently came across some interesting stats on composition of Goa cabinets from 1967 on http://www.goagovt.nic.in/ It is interesting to note that the representation on Catholics in the cabinet is at levels last seen in the early to mid1970's. I'm not qualified or knowledgeable enought to make the allegation alleging that this is intentional marginalization however. Not that being represented in the cabinet necessarily equates wielding power, but one could argue that elected representatives would in principal look after their own constituents first. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3201361.stm Goa's Catholics under threat? sincerely, Daryl ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]What the India Today ranking of Goa missed
At a time when Goa's social indicators vis a vis India and Portugal are being furiously debated, it might be timely to point out that India's best state to live in is in fact, not likely to hold that distinction for long. Here are some interesting statistics (from the 2001 India census) that show that Goa is far from #1 in many respects. The percentages of people in Goa with access to basic services such as sanitation, cooking fuel and drinking water ranges from 30% to 70% behind states like Kerala, Punjab and Himachal. Whether or not Goa was ahead in 1961 is now irrelevant ..what matters is if it will remain one of the better plaes to live in, or if it will regress. It will be interesting to see if next year Goa remains #1. I'm putting my money on Kerala. Literacy: #3 behind Kerala, Mizoram Households living in permanent type of houses#7 behind Uttranchal, Punjab Households with source of drinking water within premises #6 behind Punjab Kerala Households with source of lighting as electricity #5 behind Himachal Households with type of latrine as water closet #11 behind Kerala, Sikkim,Gujrat Households using Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) as fuel for cooking #3 Households having telephone #4 Households having television #4 behind Punjab According to the 2001 India census, Goa also seems to have acquired some of the not so desirable qualities of big city living - slums!! According to the census there are 14529 people living in slums in Panjim and Margao. I could scarcely believe this number, so I looked up the definition of slum, and here it is - All specified areas notified as 'Slum' by State/Local Government and UT Administration under any Act; All areas recognized as 'Slum' by State/Local Government and UT Administration which may have not been formally notified as slum under any Act; A compact area of at least 300 population or about 60-70 households of poorly built congested tenements, in unhygienic environment usually with inadequate infrastructure and lacking in proper sanitary and drinking water facilities. While this is still a far cry from Mumbai where almost 1 in 2 people is a slum dweller, slums didn't exist in Goa a few years ago, and with the rapidly increasing urban population (already 55%), the situation will probably get worse before it gets better. Daryl ## # 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 # ##
[Goanet]Now coming to Goa - Slums!
Now coming to Goa - Slums I am always amazed how with every trip I make to Goa I find more and more of the comforts and amenities that I am used to as a former Mumbaikar. According to the 2001 India census, Goa also seems to have aquired some of the not so desirable qualities of big city living - slums!! According to the census there are 14529 people living in slums in Panjim and Margao. I could scarcely believe this number, so I looked up the definition of slum, and here it is - All specified areas notified as 'Slum' by State/Local Government and UT Administration under any Act; All areas recognized as 'Slum' by State/Local Government and UT Administration which may have not been formally notified as slum under any Act; A compact area of at least 300 population or about 60-70 households of poorly built congested tenements, in unhygienic environment usually with inadequate infrastructure and lacking in proper sanitary and drinking water facilities. While this is still a far cry from Mumbai where almost 1 in 2 people is a slum dweller, slums didn't exist in Goa a few years ago, and with the rapidly increasing urban population (already 55%), the situation will probably get worse. In fact, this might be a timely reality check for those lulled into copmplacency by India Today's ranking Goa the #1 place to live in India. Here are some interesting statistics (also from the census) that show that Goa is far from #1 in many respects. Rankings aside, the percentages of people in Goa with access to basic services such as sanitation, cooking fuel and drinking water. ranges from 30% to 70% behind states like Kerala, Punjab and Himachal. The control of crime in Goa is only the 9th best in India. It will be interesting to see if next year Goa remains #1. I'm putting my money (but not my heart) on Punjab or Kerala. Households living in permanent type of houses #7 behind Uttranchal, Punjab 70% Households with source of drinking water within premises #6 behind Punjab Kerala 62% Households with source of lighting as electricity #5 behind Himachal 93.6% Households with type of latrine as water closet #11 behind Kerala, Sikkim,Gujrat 30% Households using Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) as fuel for cooking #3 52.1% Households having telephone #4 30% Households having television #4 behind Punjab 63.5% _ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ## # 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 # ##
