[Goanet] (no subject)
RE. UNIFORM CIVIL CODE by Eduardo Faleiro The question of an Uniform Civil Code is one of the most controversial issues in Indian politics today. The Uniform Civil Code is intended to replace personal laws based on customs and religion of the major communities of India by one common law covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption and maintenance and governing every citizen. Art. 44 of Constitution, a Directive Principle, says that the State should endeavour to secure for all citizens an Uniform Civil Code throughout India. This provision does not supersede Art 25 on the Fundamental Right to freedom of religion. Pandit Nehru supported the idea of an Uniform Civil Code but did not want it to be forced upon any community. In 2003, replying to my special mention in the Rajya Sabha, then Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the Uniform Civil Code was not on the agenda of the Government. He said that regarding personal laws, the policy of the Government was to enter into consultation with the religious communities concerned. This approach of the Vajpayee Government has obviously been set aside. Recently, Government of India urged the Supreme Court to examine the validity of triple talaq and the legality of polygamy. The Supreme Court refused to hear the Uniform Civil Code issue along with the triple talaq matter. The hearing on triple talaq will begin in the Supreme Court on May 11 next. Triple Talaq is based on the Shariat Law. Under this law, a husband can divorce his wife on pronouncement of talaq in three successive ‘tuhrs’, broadly three consecutive months. The first and second pronouncements are revocable. It is the third pronouncement that dissolves the marriage. A later day innovation is the pronouncement of talaq at one sitting called talaq-e-bidat to get an incorrigibly acrimonious couple part ways as quickly as possible. Justice Baharul Islam of the High Court of Orissa, later a Supreme Court Judge, held in Jiauddin Ahmed vs Anwara Begum (1978) that “The correct law of talaq as ordained by the Holy Quran is that talaq should be for a reasonable cause and be preceded by attempts at reconciliation between the husband and the wife by two arbiters, one from the wife’s family and the other from the husband’s; if the attempts fail, talaq may be effected”. In the 20th century, several Muslim countries have modified the Islamic personal law. Turkey adopted a modified Swiss Civil Code in 1926 taking away the religious inputs and allowing for judicial control. Egypt framed a law in 1929 terming triple talaq pronouncement at one sitting as a single pronouncement open to easy revocability. In Iraq, since 1959, divorce can be effected only after approval by the personal status courts. Algeria has adopted the same law making further provision for completing the reconciliation process within 90 days. In 1963, the Pakistan Supreme Court ruled against triple talaq at one sitting. In Tunisia since 1956, divorce is possible only through a court which examines if there is scope for rapprochement between the parties before granting the relief sought. Indonesia is the largest Muslim majority country in the world. Their national motto is ‘unity in diversity’. Religious diversity is recognised through freedom of religion provisions in the Constitution and through the recognition of the legal consequences of religion. For example, Muslims have Islamic family and inheritance laws applied to them and Christians have their religious marriage given automatically the legal effects of a civil marriage. Indonesia takes religious pluralism seriously as a means of respecting the diversity of its citizens. Islamic personal laws are enforced in several countries where Muslims are in a minority such as in Britain, Israel, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. In India, we have the Special Marriage Act, 1954 which is optional and enables every Indian citizen to marry outside the realm of his or her religious personal law. The Special Marriage Act is available throughout India except in Jammu and Kashmir. Under this Act, polygamy is illegal and inheritance and succession are governed by the Indian Succession Act. On the question of polygamy, the community wise data as per the census of 1961, the last census to record such data, is Adivasis 15.25 %, Buddhists 7.9 %, Jains 6.72 %, Hindus 5.80 % and Muslims 5.70 %. In Mizoram, a Christian sect practices polygamy. Polygamy is decreasing continuously in every community. It is sometimes alleged that Goa is one State in India with an Uniform Civil Code. This is not true. Some usages and customs of Hindus and Muslims have been safeguarded by the Civil Code operating in Goa. For instance, Catholic marriages in Church have civil effects automatically whilst in other communities the marriage has to be registered before the Civil Registrar. Adoption is not permitted to Catholics and Muslims whilst it is permitted to Hindus
[Goanet] (no subject)
HARMONY OF RELIGIONS by EduardoFaleiro Religion has emerged as a major source of conflict across the globe. Ideological strife has now given place to the “clash of civilizations” and it is felt that in the foreseeable future, religion will be a major source of conflict within and among nations. The possibilities of conflict are greater in countries such as India where different cultures and religions do meet. However, such clashes can be prevented if appropriate strategies are formulated and implemented at an early stage so as to ensure religious harmony. The United Nations designates the first week of February every year as the World Interfaith Harmony Week. The Universal Solidarity Movement for Value Education for Peace should be congratulated on this occasion for its outstanding work towards interfaith harmony and unity of all people of India. All religions lead to the same God and differences among them are not essential. Indeed, the goal of every religion is the same. The spirit of the founders of the different religions was the same though rituals differ. All religions proclaim similar principles. Mahatma Gandhi, who devoted a large part of his life to the study of religion and to discussion with religious leaders of all faiths, affirmed that every scripture should be treated equally, that there is no justification for the claim of supremacy of any one religion and that we are all children of the same God. He said “What is needed is a living friendly contact among the followers of the religions of the world and not a clash among them in the fruitless attempt on the part of each community to show the supremacy of its faith over the rest”. Swami Vivekananda asserted that all religions preach ethics, virtues and good character. Yet, all major religions instead of uniting people often divide due to lack of understanding of purpose of religion by their followers. India has the largest number of religions and religious people in the world. In our country, we have millions of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. There are also Parsees and Jews. We have eight religions in India, the maximum number of religions and religious people anywhere in the world. Communal harmony is essential for peace and stability in India. Art. 51A of the Constitution of India affirms that it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to promote harmony amongst the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities. Respect for religious diversity and interfaith dialogue are an essential and an urgent need. Some years ago, I decided to study the issues that affect inter religious peace and harmony in India. In this connection, I visited several of our States and held meetings with leaders and organizations of different religions. I spent the month of September 2004 in the villages of Orissa, in the districts of Kandhamal and Mayurbanj, where Graham Staines and his two sons were killed some years earlier. The purpose of my visit was to study and understand the open confrontation that has existed for long in that State between Christian and Hindu missionaries for conversion and re-conversion (*gharvapsi*) respectively. I informed Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik of what I had observed in those areas and he promised to take necessary action. Mainline Christian theologians see both the SanghParivar’sHindutva ideology and Christian campaigns for evangelization of India as having a fundamentalist attitude and an aggressive methodology to achieve their respective goals. Proselytism is opposed on several grounds; it attacks other religious beliefs and practices and asserts that its own religion is the only way to salvation. It is often supported by financial resources and marketing techniques that make local religious activities seem second rate and shabby. The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) articulates its theological vision thus "Asia is the womb of the great world religions. All great scriptural religions were born on Asian soil. The Church has to be in constant dialogue with the religions of Asia and to embark or this with great seriousness… There may be more truth about God and life than it is made known to us through the Jesus of history and the Church. As such Christians who take Christ's injunction seriously must search for this truth in the various religions of the world" (FABC Resource Manual for Catholics in Asia, pp189, 288) On the question of proselytism the FABC says "a phenomenon which continues to awaken the most resentment among the peoples of Asia is that of proselytism and conversion. In the minds of Asians, the Church's primary objective seems to be to convert as many people as she can so as to increase her little flock. Church expansion is also seen as a Western extension. The increase in the number of Church movements engaged in aggressive and militant evangelization (understood in the very narrow sense of the word) is certainly a
[Goanet] (no subject)
RE. 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIROSHIMA by Eduardo Faleiro The world observed last month the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At the final stage of the Second World War, on August 6, 1945 the first nuclear device was detonated by the American military on Hiroshima. Several thousand people died on the spot and lakhs perished subsequently. A few days later, Nagasaki, another bustling Japanese city, was also bombed with a nuclear missile and a similar catastrophic outcome followed. Meetings held across the world last August recalled the unprecedented tragedy of nuclear bombardment and called for a total ban on nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. In New Delhi, on August 6, Members of Parliament from different political parties and ideologies gathered at the lawns of the Japanese Embassy to pay homage to the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nuclear strikes whether deliberate or by accident, can lead to a catastrophic nuclear war. If mankind does not eliminate such weapons then those weapons will destroy mankind, they asserted. In Mumbai, on the same day, more than 2700 students participated in a rally demanding an end to nuclear weapons. The event was organized by the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal and the Bombay University. The participants pledged to work towards elimination of all nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The tragedy wrought by the nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated. Humanity and nuclear weapons cannot coexist, they proclaimed. Similar meetings were held all across the country. In 1968, the United Nations General Assembly, at the instance of the Western nuclear Powers, who are permanent members of the Security Council, passed the Non-Proliferation Treaty of nuclear weapons commonly known as the NPT with the objective of preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon technology to countries without such weapons. It recognizes 5 States as nuclear weapon States, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China. These countries hold more than 2 nuclear warheads in their combined stockpile and have shown a reluctance to disarm. The NPT does not prevent the use of nuclear weapons by the nuclear weapon States and hence it does not eliminate the threat posed by such weapons. The Treaty opened for signature in 1968. Neither India nor Pakistan signed the NPT. It was rightly pointed out that piecemeal efforts such as the NPT do not serve any purpose. Nuclear disarmament ought to be to be total and universal. Nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction cost billions of dollars. It has been mentioned that every warship and every rocket is a theft from those who are hungry and have no money to buy food. These enormous amounts should go to remove poverty and improve health and education in the world. In June 1998 our then Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi submitted a comprehensive “Action Plan for a Nuclear Weapons Free and Non-Violent World” at a special session on Disarmament of the United Nations General Assembly. Rajiv Gandhi termed nuclear destruction “the ultimate expression of the philosophy of terrorism, holding humanity hostage to the presumed security needs of a few”. The United States Government rejected the Rajiv Gandhi Plan apparently as a result of pressure from its military- industrial complex. The arms lobbies are powerful everywhere and particularly in the United States. Government of India should continue to push at the United Nations for international acceptance and implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Plan for total and universal nuclear disarmament. At present both India and Pakistan hold nuclear weapons. The two neighbours should engage constructively and find a long term solution for peace and stability in this region. It was unfortunate that a recent meeting of the National Security Advisors of the two countries was cancelled as they failed to agree on the agenda. Pakistan wanted to discuss Kashmir and India wished to focus on terrorism. However, one cannot be discussed without the other. Pakistan pulled out after India’s Foreign Minister asserted that the talks would take place only if Pakistan’s NSA did not meet the Hurriyat leaders. This was rather unrealistic. Meetings of the Pakistani leaders with the Hurriyat have taken place for the last 20 years even during the NDA and UPA regimes. In the exchange of words after cancellation of talks, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor, Sartaj Aziz was quoted by the Dawn newspaper as saying “Modi’s India acts as they are a regional super power. We are a nuclear armed country and we know how to defend ourselves.” Whilst the two sides have distinct priorities, they should, with a sense of urgency, find ways to resume the composite dialogue and take forward the peace process. (The writer is a former Union Minister)
[Goanet] (no subject)
Re. Education Policy The people of Goa can be justifiably proud of the progress achieved over the last five decades in core sectors such as education. The literacy rate in Goa was about 30 percent at the time of Liberation. It is now hundred percent if we exclude some persons above the age of 50 years. In 1961, in my own village there was just one primary school with about hundred students. The village has now been subdivided into three panchayats and has several primary schools and high schools with thousands of students in their rolls. This is mainly due to Government aided and private institutions. Government schools themselves are in an appalling condition. Attendance at several Government primary schools which I visited over the last few years was almost hundred percent but in the circumstances in which most of them function, there is not much learning to be done. Four classes are often taught simultaneously in one classroom and in some cases eight classes in two languages. There are no black boards or they are not repaired, rice bags (for the mid-day meal), discarded furniture, school records etc are all bundled together in the same classroom along with the children. The teachers in Government schools are as hard working and the students as bright and intelligent as their counterparts in private schools. What is lacking is the minimum infrastructure. As a result, all those who can afford enrol their children in private schools. The children in Government primary schools come from the poorer sections of society and their parents are often illiterate. These students require special attention but on the contrary they get no attention at all. Government primary schools have suffered from what might be called a “social attention deficit”, a sheer lack of attention and concern by the community at large including policymakers at all levels. The Fundamental Right to Education for all children up to the age of 14 years is enshrined in our Constitution. The State Government must provide the required facilities to the students so that they can exercise their Fundamental Right. Inequalities in education will be accentuated in the Computer Age. The dangerous digital divide can only be prevented if necessary steps are taken right now. The ideal is the Common School System with quality Government schools known as neighbourhood schools in every locality where all children irrespective of social class or religious affiliation will go. This is the system prevailing in Scandinavia and other educationally advanced countries. This approach was also endorsed by the Kothari Commission on Education which stated, “If our educational system is to become a powerful instrument of national development in general and social and national integration in particular, we must move towards the goal of a ‘Common School System’ of public education”. UNESCO and leading educationalists across the world agree that the use of native languages in early childhood education enhances self confidence and academic performance. In the 17th century, the colonial Government felt necessary to suppress the languages of Goa in order to preserve its rule. In 1684, a decree (alvara) of the Viceroy directed that within 3 years, Goans should abandon the use of local languages and take to the use of Portuguese. A royal decree, dated March 16, 1687 affirms “for reasons of political expediency including the preservation of Portuguese India the decree (of the Viceroy) is approved”. Cultural identity contributes to people’s sense of belonging and overall well-being. Language is central to culture. It is through language that culture expresses itself and develops. People and nations who have flourished have always promoted their own language. In Goa, the medium of instruction at primary level ought to be either Konkani or Marathi. Konkani is the official language of Goa and Marathi is and has always been the literary language of a large segment of our population. An essential prerequisite in this regard is that schools should be equipped with qualified teachers and text books need to be revised to make elementary education a rewarding and enjoyable experience for the children. It is necessary to have Konkani teachers’ training programmes and there should also be projects to sensitise parents as to the need for their children to learn in their mother tongue. The State Government and the schools may collaborate with the West Zone Cultural Centre under the Union Ministry of Culture to conduct programmes for the children so that they appreciate their national heritage and culture. There are also private organisations such as SPIC MAKAY and INTACH that conduct similar courses for children. Konkani should be taught in schools through the Devanagari script. Devanagari is important for access to Indian culture and other Indian languages. The importance of national languages and assertion of
[Goanet] (no subject)
BJP Flounders on Special Status Promise by Eduardo Faleiro Last March, the Government of Goa completed three years of its rule. Yet, the assurances given at the time of the Assembly elections remain unfulfilled to this day. The ruling Party had promised special status for Goa under article 371 of the Constitution. The special status was sought on two grounds. As a result of large scale purchase of land by persons from outside this territory, the average Goan cannot afford a house or land in Goa. Furthermore, there is large scale migration into the State which may destroy Goa’s identity. Shri Manohar Parrikar as the leader of Opposition and then as Chief Minister was the moving force behind the demand for special status. At the time of the Lok Sabha elections, we were told that the BJP prime ministerial candidate was sympathetic to this demand. Did Shri Parrikar speak about it to the Prime Minister or raise this issue at the meetings of the Union Cabinet? If so, with what result? Our present Chief Minister stated sometime ago that it would be difficult to obtain special status for Goa. When and how did Shri Parsekar find this difficulty? The people of Goa have a right to know. Most of the problems for which special status is sought can be resolved within the powers already available to the State Government. Entry 18, List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution provides that “land, that is to say, rights in or over land” is a State subject and the State Legislature is competent to make laws in this regard. The State can also legislate on land vide Entry 6 of the Concurrent List. In addition, the 74th amendment to the Constitution provides that the function of “regulation of land use and construction of buildings” is one of the municipal functions. As a result of these legal provisions, a State is competent to enact laws to restrict land transactions and to protect the interests of the local people. In furtherance of these provisions, the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 as well as the Maharashtra Tenancy Act prohibit the sale of agricultural land to non-agriculturists. Why is a similar provision not enacted in Goa? The BJP manifesto promised “regulation of sale of agricultural land through legislation”. This commitment has been ignored by the present Government. There is a genuine concern in Goa about non-availability of land to the sons of the soil, particularly those belonging to the lower and middle income groups. The Supreme Court has held in several cases that the State has a duty to provide adequate shelter to every citizen so that the fundamental right to life is meaningful. Affordable housing is a most important concern all across the world. Planning mandates in the United Kingdom have generated twenty to thirty percent of all affordable units built over the last decade. South Africa distributes free plots for houses to its poor income group. Singapore provides public housing for more than 80 percent of its population. Several State Governments in India assume it as their primary responsibility, the provision of affordable housing to the local people. In Rajasthan, the previous State Government had made available thousands of houses as well as plots to people belonging to different income groups. Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot had proposed that the statutory right to shelter be included in the Five Year Plan. Affordable housing requires an efficient Housing Board, planning mandates, interest rate subsidies and other financial devices to make housing affordable to all. The BJP Election Manifesto had assured that rehabilitation of slum dwellers and of unplanned degraded localities would be undertaken by enacting suitable legislation. No such thing has happened. At present, 205 hutments are sought to be demolished in Baina. The slum dwellers to be displaced in Baina who are law abiding and have paid house tax, electricity and water bills for years should be rehabilitated. Vagrants, beggars and others involved in anti-social activities must be dealt with as per law. There are several laws to control immigration into the State. These laws, however, are not implemented and remain largely on paper. The Interstate Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act of 1979, the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act of 1970 and the Goa, Daman and Diu Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules 1982 are some such laws. The 1979 Act provides for registration of all contractors who employed five or more interstate migrants on any day of the preceding twelve months. The contractors must furnish details of workmen, issue a pass book with passport size photograph to every workman indicating where he is working and other details. The State Government is required to appoint inspectors to oversee implementation of this Act. The law directs builders and labour contractors to provide
[Goanet] Statement of Shri Eduardo Faleiro at his Press briefing on May 22, 2012
STATEMENT OF SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING (May 22, 2012) Over the last two months, I along with Adv.Bernard d’Souza visited several villages and towns in the districts of Kolhapur and Belgaum to meet the people of Goan origin settled in those areas. In the 16th and 17th centuries thousands of Goans, both Hindus and Christians, left Goa to escape religious and cultural persecution, epidemics and continuous wars and settled in the neighbouring areas of North Karnataka and South Maharashtra. They speak Marathi or Kannada and also Konkani and visit regularly their temples and churches in Goa. Most of the people who migrated to the neighbouring areas of Maharashtra are called ‘ Bardezkars’ since their ancestors migrated mostly from Bardez. Their surnames in school records and revenue registers appear as ‘ Bardezkar’. The descendants of those settled in Karnataka are called ‘ Konkanes’ because they speak Konkani at home along with Kannada. Hindus, Muslims and Christians in those areas participate in each other’s religious festivals, weddings and other gatherings and there is no difference in their social life and food habits. - We have taken steps to write the history of Goans migration to the neighbouring regions in those early centuries. - Many of those persons are Christians and every year a large number of them come walking for 3-4 days to attend the feast of St. Francis Xavier but when they arrive at Old Goa they do not have a reasonable place to rest. - We have formulated a Youth Exchange Programme for youth of Goan origin in the neighbouring areas to visit Goa and get acquainted with their roots and different facets of life here. Similarly Goan youth will visit the neighbouring areas to acquaint themselves with the people of those areas. This Youth Exchange Programme is intended for the young generation to contribute to and promote understanding, goodwill and co-operation between the three States involved. In the first Youth Exchange Programme, about 10 Goan youths in the age group of 18 to 30 years will visit villages and towns in the districts of Kolhapur and Belgaum from June 23rd to June 30th next. Similarly, youth of Goan origin in the neighbouring States will be invited to visit Goa in the month of November. I now request my colleagues Adv.Bernard d’Souza, Shri Devraj Bardezkar and others to elaborate on the subjects I have just mentioned. Eduardo Faleiro loksevagoa at gmail.com
[Goanet] Shri Eduardo Faleiro's speech at the 2008 International Goan Convention
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2008 Toronto International Goan Convention Theme: Goan Identity And Networking Today. http://2008goanconvention.com/index.php Mario Miranda Festival, July 24-26, 2008 Old GMC Building http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-July/077732.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2008 International Goan Convention, Toronto, Canada (Outline of the Speech by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa, delivered at the Inaugration ceremonies of the 2008 International Goan Convention, Toronto, Canada It is a great pleasure and a privilege to participate in this International Goan convention here in Toronto. I am given to understand that it has been well organized and that it is comprehensive. I compliment you for this. We used to hold a Global Goans Convention in Goa every year during the Christmas - New Year vacations. Reasons for discontinuing it in Goa. Last year it was held in Lisbon. this year in Toronto. Next year it may be in another continent. I understand that one of the subjects of this Convention is the question of Goan Identity. This is a very complex subject. Essential elements of a cultural identity are certainly language and soil but it is also moulded by several other features such as religion, history, nationality, etc. National identity is an important element of one's identity. The following are some aspects generally agreed upon. The Indus Valley Civilization (2800-1800BC) was the most advanced urban settlement of the time with well planned streets, drainage system, water supply, etc. I have seen it myself when I visited Mohenjodaro (in present day Pakistan) Jean Baptiste Tavernier, a Frenchman of the 17th century who spent about 40 years travelling on the Silk Road and several others of that time and earlier assert that India was then a country with abundant food resources and great wealth. A study by historian Angus Madisson of the Cambridge University held that India's share of world income was 22.6% in 1700 comparable to entire Europe's share of 23.3% It went down to 3.8% in 1952. Taxation on property and revenue during the colonial rule led to mass impoverishment and destitution of the great majority of farmers. At the time of its Independence, India inherited an economy that was one of the poorest in the world with industrial development stalled, agriculture unable to feed its population, one of the world's lowest life expectancies and a low rate of literacy. Since 1990, India's economy has grown at the rate of around 9%, the highest rate of growth in large economies after China. This has been accompanied by growth in life expectancy, literacy rate and food security. Goldman Sachs and others predict that by 2035, India will be the third largest economy in the world after the USA and China. However India faces the challenge of reducing economic and social inequalities and poverty remains a serious problem though it has declined significantly. It is felt across the world and more so in India itself, that India will meet successfully the present challenges and emerge as a Great Power within the first half of this Century. India like Canada is characterized by linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity yet both are strong nation-states functioning in a system of parliamentary democracy. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, our first Law Minister, whilst piloting the draft of the Constitution in the Constituent Assembly in 1948 had pointed out that Canada as well as India had federal Constitutions but also call themselves a Union. Regarding Goa. In 1956 am eminent Portuguese geographer, Orlando Ribeiro led a team of scholars to study Goan society and submitted a report of his findings to Prime minister Dr Oliveira Salazar. His report stated that Goa was the least Portuguese in its cultural expression even less than Guine-Bissau. It also said that there were cultured persons everywhere in Goa with no trace of rudeness, so common among the rural folk of Portugal. After Independence, there has been great progress particularly in the fields of Education and Health. Substantial advances have also been made in infrastructure development, such as electricity and water supply, roads and other forms of communication. There are still obvious deficiencies in all these areas but the progress is unmistakeable. Major problems have arisen as a result of what maybe called over development or unregulated development particularly in the coastline and beaches. Mass tourism and package tourism have transformed the landscape of Goa to the detriment of the local people. Rural areas in the coastal belt often look more like crowded western cities than villages. 1.25 million tourists visit Goa every year whilst the total population of the state is 1.15,illion. Mega construction projects even beyond
[Goanet] Statement of Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, at his Press Briefing (May 13, 2008)
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5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest
Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa
16-18, May 2008
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html
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STATEMENT OF SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS, AT HIS
PRESS BRIEFING
(May 13, 2008)
I shall be visiting Mozambique and Kenya from May 16-24. During this visit,
I shall meet the Goan community, other communities of Indian origin as well
as Foreign Ministers and other leaders of the two Governments. Goans
migrated in significant numbers to East Africa in the 19th and 20th
centuries. They formed the backbone of the Civil service, Railways and the
educational system in those countries. Some of them clamoured for reforms in
the colonial system and later inspired the movement for total independence
from European rule.
The visit is being organized by our High Commissions in Mozambique and
Kenya. I visited both the countries in 1987 as Minister of State for
External Affairs. Whilst this visit is in my capacity as Commissioner for
NRI Affairs of the Government of Goa, I have been briefed by the Ministry of
External Affairs so that the visit also contributes to advance bilateral
relations between India and those two countries. I shall be accompanied by
the Director for NRI Affairs, Shri U. D. Kamat.
* In Mozambique apart from my meetings with the Goan and other Indian
communities, I shall be meeting the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Science
and Technology and other senior leaders of that country. The number of
persons of Indian origin in Mozambique is estimated at around 20,000
families; about half hold Mozambican nationality whilst the other half have
Portuguese nationality. There are also about 2000 persons who are Indian
nationals. Persons of Goan origin have been in Mozambique for generations
and presently number around 1000 families. They celebrate the Goa Day every
year and invite members of other Indian communities as well as Mozambican
leaders. Our High Commission participates actively in this function.
* The Government of India under its international cooperation programme has
set up several development projects in countries of Africa to empower the
local people. It has offered a Cashew Processing Plant to Mozambique which
has already arrived there. The Plant will be installed by technicians of
HMT, Bangalore. A consortium of RITES and IRCON are working on the
rehabilitation of the Beira Railways. M/S Tata and Mahindra have a
significant presence in the automobile sector in Mozambique. The ESSAR Group
and Jindal Steel are also present there. Some Indian owned companies have
coal concessions in Mozambique. Lines of credit have been extended by the
Government of India for rural electrification, rural sanitation and
Information Technology projects in that country.
* My visit to Kenya will be broadly on the lines of the visit to
Mozambique. Apart from the Goan and other Indian communities, I shall be
meeting the Foreign Minister and some other Ministers of the Kenyan
Government. Kenya held General Elections recently and a new Cabinet was
sworn in earlier this month.
* A large number of persons of Indian origin including Goans, such as the
legendary Pio da Gama Pinto and Joseph Zuzarte Murumbi participated in Kenya's
struggle for Independence. At present, there are about one lakh people of
Indian origin and Indian nationals in Kenya. They play a vital role in
commerce and industry. The Goan community which used to have a fairly
sizeable presence in that country has shrunk to about 500 families. Goans
are mainly in the banking and IT sector. Some are also in business. Like
other people of Indian origin, a large number of them emigrated mainly to
the U.K., US and Canada and acquired British, American or Canadian
nationality or passports. The Goan Gymkhana in Nairobi was established in
1936.
* Students from Kenya come to India regularly for higher education. India
offers 30-40 seats every year in Indian Universities to Kenyan students
since 1964. Under the ICCR scholarship scheme, 15 scholarships for
undergraduate, graduate and research studies are awarded each year. Kenyan
Defence personnel have also been attending senior level Defence training
programmes in India.
* Kenya is a major exporter of agricultural and horticultural products and
there is good scope for cooperation in setting up agro processing industries
in that country. Kenya's tea industry is the world's third largest after
India and Sri Lanka and there is great potential for exports of tea
machinery to Kenya.
(ends)
[Goanet] THE CHALLENGE OF DIVERSITY
Cultural diversity is a fact of modern life and it exists now in practically all countries of the world. In addition to conventional elements such as race, religion and language, cultural diversity is accentuated by new factors including globalization, the breakdown of the traditional moral consensus, the emphasis on individual choice regarding issues like the place of religion in public life, family discipline, relations between parents and children and other aspects of life today. Cultural diversity is at the root of most conflicts, tensions and uncertainties in the contemporary world. Some have attributed the present international insecurity to the Clash of Civilizations whilst others advocate dialogue of religions and cultures to prevent such conflicts and bitterness. In 2001, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations and the Unesco endorsed the International Declaration on Cultural Diversity. A common assumption inspires both covenants. A multicultural society needs to find ways and means to accommodate diversity without loosing its cohesiveness and unity. Two approaches are rejected. Assimilation which requires minorities to abandon their own distinctive institutions, cultures and values to merge into the prevailing culture is to be avoided. This way is sociologically unlikely to succeed and is morally untenable in view of people's deep adherence to normative values such as religion. Similarly, unbounded multiculturalism which entails giving up the concept of shared values and identity in order to privilege ethnic and religious differences presuming that a nation can be replaced by a number of diverse minorities is unacceptable. Such a course of action usually results in undemocratic backlash, support for extremist parties, populist leaders and anti-minority policies. It is morally unjustified as it does not accept the values and institutions upheld by society at large. Regions that break away from democratic societies hoping to achieve a larger measure of self-government are not likely to enhance self-government and may rather weaken it. Cultural pluralism values diversity and implements policies of inclusion that cater to the requirements of all groups. The sensitivities of the minorities as well as of the majority need attention. Fundamental rights and fundamental freedoms of all are to be protected. The rights of the weaker sections are particularly important in a society that respects cultural pluralism. Intercultural dialogue is necessary both at the national and at the global levels so that contentious issues are resolved amicably. The more a nation harmonizes differences at home the greater is its ability to contribute to dialogue at the international level. Stronger the cooperation and goodwill among nations lesser the need to spend huge resources on arms and military strategies. Education has a crucial role to play in providing ethical and spiritual value systems that facilitate understanding of other cultures and civilizations. The Unesco Constitution begins with the words Since wars begin in the minds of men it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed. Education ought to promote tolerance, respect for diversity and friendship among peoples and nations. Educational institutions must be provided with a learning environment which contributes to tolerance, understanding and respect for diversity. They should be protected from teachings that promote extremism, intolerance and violence. India is home to diverse languages, religions, races and lifestyles. It is a vast country where questions of unity and diversity interplay. Yet, India emerges with an excellent record at managing diversity. This makes it possible to survive as a nation and to move ahead as the largest democracy in the world. The Constitution of India ensures that all citizens have equal rights and should have an equal opportunity. In particular, the principle of secularism enshrined in our Constitution is the best method to accommodate religious diversity and could be emulated across the globe. In a multicultural society, the State cannot be identified with any religious or cultural group and it should either be neutral or even handed in its approach to all such groups. Unity in diversity is the highest possible civilizational attainment. It is made possible through respect for choice in an atmosphere of mutual trust. (The writer is a former Union Minister and presently holds a Cabinet Minister rank in the Government of Goa. This article is based on his inaugural address to the International Conference Cultural Diversity: Convergences and Divergences at the Goa University recently)
[Goanet] Statement of Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs at his Press Briefing (Feb 25, 2008)
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
[Goanet] Statement of Shri Eduardo Faleiro - Press Briefing at end of tour of Kuwait Qatar
STATEMENT OF SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS, AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING (NOVEMBER 19, 2007) I was in Kuwait and Qatar during the last week. The purpose of the visit was to meet Goan expatriates, identify their grievances and study the labour market there. The other members of the delegation were Shri John D'Silva, Vice-Admiral (retd.) and Chairman of our Overseas Employment Agency and Shri U.D. Kamat, Director, NRI Affairs. Ms. Sabina Martins representing Bailancho Saad, also joined the delegation. My visit was organized by our Embassies in those two countries and at all meetings I was accompanied by our Ambassador to the respective country. The Indian communities in Kuwait and Qatar number around 6 lakhs and 2 lakhs persons respectively. The Goan community is estimated to be more than 40,000 strong in Kuwait and about 9,000 in Qatar. At my meetings with senior officials of both Governments they remarked that though Indians constitute the largest group among expatriates, Indians create the least problems. The Indian community is regarded as the expatriate community of first preference in the Gulf countries. Those countries recognize India's capabilities as a fast growing economy, source of highly qualified professional and technical personnel and a stable market for their oil and oil products. Of late, there has been an increase of highly qualified Indian experts in high tech areas especially in the software and financial sectors in the Gulf countries. In the field of health, India not only supplies top specialists but also para-medical staff who enjoy a high reputation. Yet, a significant percentage of Indian expatriates, including a few Goans, are unskilled and semi-skilled workers. They are not covered by the Labour laws of the Gulf countries. Some of them complain of non-payment or delay in payment of wages and harsh living conditions, substitution of contracts, retention of passports, cheating, physical exploitation etc. I shall meet the Ministers of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs and submit to them my report at the end of my tour of the Gulf countries. However, my tour is not yet complete. I shall be visiting Bahrain, Oman and the UAE in the first week of December next. In the meanwhile, the following are some of my observations: 1. Many of the problems troubling our unskilled and semi-skilled expatriates are created by recruiting agents. Some such agents have a very elastic view of ethical standards. They charge exorbitant amounts, which are much above the norms fixed by the Government of India, and offer terms which are highly unrealistic and which they know are not going to be honoured. They also send people on visit visas which are not legal for employment purposes in the Gulf. Last April, I brought to the notice of the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs seventeen such spurious recruiting agencies operating in Goa and the Goa Police is investigating these cases. We shall monitor the progress in this regard. Emigration laws need to be amended with emphasis or regulation and deterrent punishment. The Government of India is already in the process of amending the Emigration Act for this purpose. This Office will draft a law to deal with unregistered agents and middlemen operating in Goa and to punish recruiting agencies involved in illegal emigration. 2. During my visit, I was informed that some male domestic workers were taken by their employers to Saudi Arabia and abandoned in the desert without proper papers, no food and water and no medical attention. It appears that the law of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) allows the citizen of a member country to take his employee to another member country to work in his estate. The GCC law does not require the employer to bring the employee back. This lacuna in the law causes a lot of human suffering. 3. The condition of Indian housemaids and other domestic workers is often distressing. We received complaints of physical torture and abuse, non-payment of salary for several months and filing of false cases against them. Many of the local people appear to consider a housemaid as a commodity to be used and abused at will. As a result, Pakistan has banned the export of maids a long time ago. Nepal banned it six years ago. The Government of the Philippines has set enforceable conditions in all such contracts which ensure a fair treatment to housemaids and empower their Embassy to enforce the contract. Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi maids face a situation similar to Indian maids. The Government of India could provide a system similar to that of the Philippines to safeguard the dignity and safety of Indian domestic workers. 4. Indian, including Goan, expatriates are generally a happy and contented lot. The cases mentioned above may be the exception rather than the rule. There are however too many such exceptions
[Goanet] Statement by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, at his press briefing (October 16, 2007)
STATEMENT BY SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS, AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING (OCTOBER 16, 2007) I shall be visiting the Gulf countries in the months of November and December next to interact with Goan emigrants and to meet officials of the local Government dealing with questions of emigration at the political and other senior levels. My tour to the different countries of the Gulf region is being organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and by our Embassies in those countries. I will be accompanied by the Chairman of the Overseas Employment Agency of Goa, Vice Admiral (retd.) John d' Silva and the Director for NRI Affairs, Shri U.D. Kamat. In the first leg of my visit to the Gulf region I shall visit Kuwait from November 7-9 and Doha (Qatar) from November 11-13. During my visit to Kuwait I shall meet the Minister of Social Welfare and Labour of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, hold discussions with Kuwaiti officials, meet the community organizations and other relevant organizations and discuss matters concerning attestation, documentation etc. with Al-Haqooq lawyers who manage the legal affairs of our Embassy in Kuwait. I will also attend the Goa Day celebrations organized by the Goan Welfare Society on November 9 and participate in a seminar arranged by the Society. My visit to Doha (Qatar) will be on November 11-13 and broadly on the lines of the visit to Kuwait. The visits to Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Muscat will be held by the end of November and in December next. . The Report of the Global Goans Convention (Gomant Vishwa Samelan) held last January has been released today. It will help the Government to frame appropriate policies for the welfare of non-resident Goans. The Report is available free of cost to all those who participated in the Convention or their authorized representatives. Copies of the Report will also be sent to our Embassies in countries with a significant Goan population. We have received several requests for participation and financial support to Goan Conventions being organized in different parts of the world. Last June, the Goan Community in Portugal held their Convention in Lisbon The Goan Diaspora from Goa into the world. I could not attend this Convention due to other preoccupations and at my request our Chief Secretary and the Director, NRI Affairs, represented the State Government and the Department of NRI Affairs on this occasion. A sum of 5000 Euros was granted by this Department as financial support to this Convention. This Department will also provide some financial support to the Conference Goan Diaspora-between the Home and the Host being held on December 15 in New Delhi by Goenkarancho Ekvot, an organization of the Goan community in the capital. Several NRG organizations across the world wish to hold Conventions of the Goan community and seek our support. Regarding such Conventions abroad it has been decided that this Department will finance one such Convention per year tentatively to the extent of Rs. 3 lakh subject to the following: 1. The Annual Convention should be held by rotation in different continents and in a country where there is a significant population of NRGs; 2. The local organization should hold the Convention at a time when maximum attendance can be obtained in that country; 3. The organization should be recommended by our Embassy or High Commission in the respective country; and 4. The programme of the Convention should be drawn in consultation with this Office. In view of our decision to support one NRG Convention (Gomant Vishwa Samelan) every year abroad, we may not hold such a Convention in Goa in future. It is felt that such a Convention in Goa can be organized only at the time of Christmas and the New Year, a time of family get togethers and a pletora of other social and cultural activities, and this makes it difficult for our NRGs to attend the Convention in large numbers. . During my visit to New Delhi last month I requested Shri Vyalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, to invite Goan cultural troupes to perform in Goa and elsewhere in the country. I mentioned to him the group Ekvott based in Portugal which is of a high quality. The Minister agreed. In case Ekvot or other Goan troupes are interested in visiting India they should indicate their interest to us at the earliest so that we may finalize their tour in consultation with MOIA. (ends)
[Goanet] Towards a Culture of Peace
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- The First Konkani E-Cinema BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion Premiers at Masrah, Hawalli Auditorium, Kuwait on Aug 10, 2007 http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-August/060201.html --- Towards a Culture of Peace By Eduardo Faleiro The last three decades have witnessed unprecedented conflict within and among nations, and religion has often been misused and invoked to justify sectarian strife. The United Nations which was created to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war sees interfaith dialogue and cooperation as an important step towards global harmony. The U.N. General Assembly adopted last year a Resolution on Promotion of Inter religious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace. The Resolution emphasizes the importance of promoting understanding, tolerance and friendship among people in all their diversity of religion and belief and calls upon the Secretary General to bring the promotion of interfaith dialogue to the attention of all Governments. The United Nations Summit on Religions convened in the Millennium Year felt that all religions offer helpful means to advance the cause of justice, reconciliation and peace, though, at times, religion has also been used to fuel hatred and armed conflicts. Christian theologians of Asia make a positive contribution to the Culture of Peace. The Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) is the voice of the Asian Christians. Its pronouncements go beyond and often stand in tension with what we hear from the Vatican and from mainstream Catholic theologians. The FABC as well as the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) stress on inter religious dialogue, local decision making and inculturation. The motivation to engage in (inter religious) dialogue says the FABC comes about as a result of a whole new way of thinking, seeing and reflecting upon the world and its meaning. A prerequisite for dialogue is that the partners come with an open mind which appreciates differences and pluralism. All forms of exclusiveness have to be shed. Implicit therefore, is an end to exclusivist and triumphalistic attitudes, the sense of superiority and 'chosenness' and the notion that one's own religion is the one and only which deserves absolute and formal status. (1) Michael Amaladoss, Director of the Institute for Dialogue with Cultures and Religions at Chennai observes many traditional doctrines of the Church are being questioned by Asian theologians. For some Europeans this is threatening .. In the liturgy, except for a few adaptations, we are not free to pray as Indians or Asians. Our prayers are translations. I do not see any theological or spiritual principle for this. In India, most Christians live the popular religion and live as Indians in their ordinary way of life. But when it comes to official liturgy, we suddenly become non-Indian or non-Asian. He adds not only in Asia but also in Europe, the Church is unwilling to adapt to the new circumstances. In reply to a question as to whether the Asian Church is too dependent on Western Churches, Fr. Amaladoss says To some extent the dependence is imposed from outside. Finance from abroad has led to a state in which it is said that the Church as people is poor but it is rich with institutions. We should live within our means. If the Asian Churches were less dependent on the Western Church financially and culturally they would be free. (2) Inculturation is the process by which a religion becomes inserted into the local culture. During the first decades, Christianity was a Jewish sect, it then spread to parts of West Asia and adopted that cultural milieu. When Christianity reached Europe, it accepted the Greco-Roman culture prevailing there and with the Reformation, the Protestant denominations assumed the cultural elements of the different European nations. However, when Christianity was imposed on the colonized peoples it maintained the Western garb and promoted the culture of the colonial powers. Kuncheria Pathil, former President of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram says: The Indian churches should seriously think together about rediscovering once again the authentic spirit of inculturation and make the Church both authentically Indian and genuinely Christian. (3) Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram at Bangalore is one of the several Catholic seminaries which emphasize the Indian and Eastern cultural, spiritual and philosophical heritage. Dharmaram has also a Centre for the Study of World Religions which promotes inter religious dialogue in the context of India's religious pluralism
[Goanet] Press Release: Office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs
--- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html --- Press release The Government of Goa on the advice of the Office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs has constituted two high power District Committees, for North Goa and South Goa respectively to deal with property related and other grievances of our NRIs. A joint meeting of both the Committees was held yesterday at the Secretariat, Porvorim. The Commissioner for NRI Affairs who chaired the meeting briefed the Committees about their functions and responsibilities. The Committees then dealt with several petitions by non-resident Goans which concerned Government Departments, such as the Town Planning Department and the Police as well as individuals such as real estate dealers and land developers. The purchase of land by PIO/OCI card holders as well as the question of investment opportunities for NRIs in Goa was discussed. The Department of Industries was asked to identify terms and conditions for such investments and what facilities could be given to NRIs for their increased participation. Commissioner for NRI Affairs discussed with the Committees the possibilities of a scheme which could be called 'My Village'. It was mentioned that every village Panchayat has a Development Plan wherein projects required by the village are highlighted. The NRI could have the option to invest in any such project in his village. 50% of the cost of the project will be borne by the NRI and the balance by the State Government. Due recognition will be given to the NRI who sponsors such a project. The two Committees will endeavour to obtain a fair and satisfactory settlement of the grievances placed before them. The Director NRI Affairs is the member secretary of both the Committees and will coordinate the proceedings. He will report to the Commissioner NRI Affairs every fortnight on action taken. Those desirous of availing of the services of these Committees may contact Director for NRI Affairs at his office at the Secretariat, Porvorim. (Fax: 2419856, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED])
[Goanet] South Asia and the Asian Resurgence
WWW.GOANET.ORG ** C O M M U N I T Y ** A N N O U N C E M E N T Goa Sudharop to Release Goan Seniors E-book May 8, 2007 at 5:30pm at Hotel Mandovi, Panaji, Goa www.goasudharop.org SOUTH ASIA AND THE ASIAN RESURGENCE By Eduardo Faleiro The Asian resurgence is one of the most significant developments of our time. The rise of Asia began with the extraordinary economic progress of Japan in the 1950s and 60s; was followed by the remarkable advance of the Asian Tigers (Hongkong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore) and other countries of South East Asia; and now, the impressive growth of China and India. The Twenty First century will reportedly be the Asian century just as the Twentieth was the American century and the Nineteenth the European century. By 2050, China is expected to be the largest economy in the world and India the second largest. By that time Asia might hold seven of the ten leading national economies. The Asian Development Bank projects Asia as a region that will achieve an average growth rate of 7% this year compared to the global economic growth forecast of 3.3%. Samuel Huntington in his seminal work The Clash of Civilizations and the remaking of the World Order perceives the ascendancy of Asia in contrast to the decline of the West and attributes the latter to low economic growth, stagnating population, declining savings rates, huge Government deficits and in many Western countries including the United States, social aspects such as low work ethics, family decay, drugs and crime. At present however, the West is overwhelmingly dominant. Western economies are still growing and the West is still the leader in the field of science and technology. Neither the rise of Asia nor the decline of the West are irreversible. President George Bush in his State of the Union Address last year remarked in a dynamic world economy we are seeing new competitors like China and India. America should not fear our economic future because we intend to shape it. In the Huntington thesis, Western strategy to maintain and strengthen its global supremacy is focused on Euro-American unity, it exploits differences among non Western nations and attempts to develop common interests with what it calls swing civilizations which are major actors in world affairs likely to have ambivalent and fluctuating relations with the West and its challengers such as Japan, Russia and India. Western supremacy is sought to be safeguarded through a three pronged strategy: (i) a globalised economy which the West dominates; (ii) non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and W.M.Ds which should be exclusively controlled by Western powers; and (iii) protection of the cultural and ethnic integrity of the Euro-American societies by drastically restricting the number of immigrants and refugees from non European countries. Western strategy to sustain it pre-eminent position also involves defining its interests as the interests of the world community, an euphemism which is meant to give global legitimacy to actions reflecting the interests of the United States and other Western Powers. Hence, democracy is promoted but not if it brings Islamic fundamentalists to power; non proliferation is preached to Iran and North Korea but not to Israel; human rights are an issue with China but not with Saudi Arabia. South Asia witnesses increasing economic progress with India leading. The challenge faced by this region is to sustain a high rate of growth whilst making economic development more inclusive to achieve a faster reduction in poverty, illiteracy and deprivation. Regional cooperation is a pivotal element for prosperity in South Asia. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was created in 1985 to promote economic development and social progress in South Asia through regional cooperation. A Summit meeting of SAARC was held in New Delhi last month. The most significant outcome was the signing of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). Effective implementation of SAFTA is likely to accomplish the full economic and strategic potential of South Asia. The establishment of the South Asian University is another concrete achievement of the Summit. The main campus of the University will be located in India whilst the Faculties will be spread through all the member countries. At the Summit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced duty free access into India of goods from the least developed countries (LDCS) of SAARC- Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan. He also announced a liberalized visa regime for students, teachers, journalists and persons from the region seeking medical
[Goanet] Statement by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs
http://www.GOANET.org This month's Goanet operations sponsored by an Anonymous Donor STATEMENT BY SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING ON APRIL 17, 2007. A major concern of non-resident Goans is the security of their property here whilst they work abroad. For protection of these properties as well as to safeguard other legitimate interests of NRGs we have recommended to the State Government legislative as well as administrative measures. - The Goa, Daman and Diu (Lease, Rent, Eviction) Control Act, 1968 provides for summary trial to recover possession when the owner of the premises is a member of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Central Government subject to transfer to different parts of the country. We have proposed that the benefit of such summary trials should be extended to non-resident Goans. The Bill proposed by us is entitled. The Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control Amendment Bill, 2007 and I do hope that it is passed in the next session of the Legislative Assembly. Similar legislation has been upheld by the Supreme Court in the case of some other States. - Regarding administrative action to protect properties and to safeguard other legitimate interests of the NRGs we have recommended to the State Government that District Committees headed by the respective District Collector be constituted in North Goa as well as in South Goa. Among the members of these Committees will be the Superintendent of Police, the Director of Municipal Administration, the Director of Panchayats and 2 NRGs or their local representatives. The function of these Committees will be inter alia to provide adequate safeguards to NRG properties and to ensure redressal of other legitimate grievances. - We are aware that some recruitment agencies cheat individuals on the pretext of providing them with jobs abroad. In the year 2005 complaints were filed with the local Police against Zarina Travel Services, Gemini Travels Service and Nexus India Inc. Last month a complaint was filed against some individuals claiming to represent Guirim Good Placement Abroad. These are a few among several cases filed in the Police on this subject. I have written to the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi as well as to the Protector General of Emigrants, New Delhi requesting them to, after due inquiry, withdraw the license granted to unscrupulous agencies and to impose on them other penalties under the Emigration Act. - Last February I was in Lisbon to participate in the First International Congress on Lusofonia. During this visit I attended a few other meetings organized by our Embassy as well as by some leading Goan personalities in that country. One such meeting was held at Casa de Goa, the headquarters of the Goan community in Portugal. The Casa de Goa is located in a heritage building of the XVII Century, fully renovated and consists of several halls, a library, a reading room, a Goan restaurant, a small museum and gardens. The premises belong to the Municipal Corporation of Lisbon and have been let out free of charge to the Goan community. The President of the Casa de Goa, Prof. Narana Coissoro, a former Deputy Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament and presently the President of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Lisbon requested me to use my good offices so that a Chair in Indian Studies is created at the Institute. Prof. Narana Coissoro pointed out that China, a rival of India in the emerging global order, has the Institute Confucius in Portugal, that the U.K. has the British Council, Germany, the Goethe Institute and France, the Alliance Francaise but there is no similar institution from India there. I have written to the Prime Minister in this regard so that we have a cultural presence of India in Portugal at an early date. During my stay in Lisbon I also had fruitful meetings at the Radha Krishna Temple, the main hindu temple in Portugal, and at the Aga Khan Foundation. (ends)
[Goanet] STATEMENT OF SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING ON MARCH 2, 2007
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May There is no better, value for money, guest house. Confirm your bookings early or miss-out Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation. STATEMENT OF SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING ON MARCH 2, 2007. * With a view to assist Goan youth desirous of employment abroad, we have constituted the Overseas Employment Agency of Goa. The Agency has been registered as a Society and has obtained the certificate of registration under the Emigration Act, from the Government of India on February 22, last. Vice Admiral (retd.) John C. de Silva is the Chairman of the Agency. The Chairman of the Agency and the Director NRI Affairs have begun contacts with Foreign Missions in India to assess manpower requirements abroad. I am also writing to our Ambassadors to obtain information on employment opportunities in the countries of their accreditation. * To enable our workers going abroad, we shall hold short duration courses (generally one week) in each of the trades in demand such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, drivers, welders, fitters, machine operators etc. There will be separate courses for each discipline. The courses are intended to refresh skills and for reorientation compatible with the needs of the different countries. The training will include familiarization with good working practices, safety norms and use of tools. The trainees will also be given exposure on personality needs, and on how they should conduct themselves whilst working in overseas establishments. These courses should help skilled workers to sharpen their skills in tune with emerging market needs. The first course will be held for a batch of 20 electricians on first come first served basis at the Government Industrial Training Institute, Borda, Margao from March 19 to 24, 2007. * As a follow up to the Global Goans Convention held last January, the transcript of the proceedings of the Convention is being prepared and it will be published in a book form. A video of the Convention is also being produced. These materials will be forwarded to our Missions abroad for dissemination among the Goan communities across the world. (ENDS)
[Goanet] Re. LUSOFONIA AS SEEN FROM INDIA
http://www.GOANET.org This month's Goanet operations sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Faleiro If you would like to sponsor Goanet's operations contact: Herman Carneiro - [EMAIL PROTECTED] Re. LUSOFONIA AS SEEN FROM INDIA Lusofonia is a movement which links Portuguese speaking nations. It does, however, attempt to associate some other countries including India and China. It is then a possible platform for the dialogue of cultures, so relevant to our troubled times. Goa was connected to Portugal for 450 years. At present, there are in Goa several institutions, governmental and non-governmental, which offer courses in Portuguese language and culture. The Goa University has a full fledged Department of Portuguese which conducts diploma courses and courses at graduate and post-graduate level. These courses are held in collaboration with the Instituto Camoes. The University has also a Chair on Brazilian Studies. The Goa University has cultural and scientific agreements with the Universities of Aveiro, Porto, the Universidade Moderna de Lisboa and the Instituto do Oriente. It proposes to enhance its activities in collaboration with the Instituto Camoes as well as Universities of Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique and Macau. The Fundacao Oriente promotes the study of Portuguese language and culture through a wide range of projects in Goa and elsewhere in India. The Xavier Centre of Historical Research has been a pioneer in the teaching of Portuguese in Goa. It has an excellent library and a fine museum of Indo-Portuguese art. The Indo-Portuguese Friendship Society and several other private organizations also foster the study of Portuguese. Whilst Goa, Daman and Diu are the main link to Lusofonia they are not its only expression. The Jawaharlal Nehru University of Delhi, the Jadavpur University in Kolkata and the University of Pondicherry have courses in Portuguese language and culture. Indian business enterprises with a global reach retain some staff knowledgeable in Portuguese, one of the major languages of the world. The President of the Portuguese Republic, Prof. Cavaco e Silva was in India last January. During his meetings with our leaders, whilst the accent was on strengthening trade and investment, the cultural dimension was not overlooked. A Cultural Exchange Programme and an Education Exchange Programme for the years 2007-2009 were finalized on this occasion. Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between the Delhi University and the Institute Camoes and also between the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Institute of Social Sciences, Business Studies and Technology of Portugal. During my recent visit to Lisbon it was suggested that a Chair in Hindi and Indian Contemporary Culture, funded by the Government of India, should be created at the Instituto dos Estudos Orientais in that city. I have recommended this proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs. Translation of Indian literature into Portuguese and of Portuguese literature into Hindi and other Indian languages would be welcome. Indian authors such as V.S.Naipaul and Salman Rushdie have been translated into Portuguese and the work of Portuguese writers like Fernando Pessoa and Jose Saramago is available in Indian languages. There has always been cultural interaction in terms of art, music, dance etc across a common ocean between India and the countries of East Africa, including those of Portuguese expression. Such cultural cooperation should be strengthened. A structured Dialogue could be held biennially, alternatively in India and in Portugal or other member countries of Lusofonia, to explore common perspectives on the global issues of Peace and Development. Lusofonia connects the countries whose official language is Portuguese; yet, the lusofone space is broader. It associates several countries of Asia and of East Africa. These are countries with strong cultural linkages with India and their participation as observers in the CPLP opens possibilities for a constructive interaction among us all. (The writer is a former Union Minister. This article is based on his address to the First International Congress on Lusofonia held in Lisbon this February. )
[Goanet] regarding Merwin Lobo
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * To Goa with Love - Three unique Valentine Day packages from EXPRESSIONS Say I Love You! in style this year For details, photos and pricing check out: http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/valentines/ OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS (Cabinet Minister Rank) GOVERNMENT OF GOA January 29, 2007 Dear Sir, This is with reference to a posting on Goanet by Merwin Lobo regarding his meeting with Hon. Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Mr. Eduardo Faleiro. At a fairly large gathering last Friday, Mr. Lobo introduced himself to Mr. Eduardo Faleiro. One of those present added that Mr. Lobo wanted to make large investments in Goa. Mr. Lobo sought advice on investment opportunities. Mr. Faleiro told him to contact Mr. U.D.Kamat, Director NRI Affairs. Mr. Faleiro was aware of previous e-mails by Mr. Lobo on Goanet and had no private talk of any kind with him. Mr. Lobo asked to take a photograph with Mr. Faleiro. The interaction lasted for a minute or so and not a few hours as claimed by Mr. Lobo. None of the matters mentioned by him were discussed and his report is a figment of a rather fertile and malicious imagination. For information on the Office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs and related matters access our website www.globalgoans.org.in. For further information please e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yours sincerely (Dipti Verlekar) Secretary to Commissioner for NRI Affairs To The Editor Goanet
[Goanet] CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA TODAY
http://www.GOANET.org This month's Goanet operations sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Faleiro The Editor Goanet Reader Email: goanet@goanet.org Re. CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA TODAY During my last term in Parliament (1999-2005) I travelled extensively throughout the country to understand Christianity in India today. I met our Cardinals, Bishops and theologians and visited several of our religious organizations including Jesuit organizations such as the Vidya Jyoti Theological Seminary in New Delhi, the Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, Kerala and the Xavier Centre of Historical Research in Goa. The theme at these meetings was usually the need for interreligious harmony and dialogue in India and the need for greater inculturation. Asia is the cradle of all the great religions of the world and several of them were born in India. The Asian religious psyche resonates with the perception of plurality and the consequent attitude of tolerance. Jesuit theologian Samuel Ryan asserts Pluralism is a grace. No one person, race, culture, language or religion can grasp and express exhaustively the will of God. Jesuit contribution to inter-communal and inter-religious peace and harmony and to authentic Christianity today begins with their educational institutions which try to conscientize students on the value of inter-religious collaboration and instill in them a basic understanding of and respect for the faith vision of the members of the diverse local religious communities, while deepening their own faith response to God. This contribution continues with the philosophical and theological formation programmes of the Jesuits, which are geared towards forming priests for the multi-cultural and multi-religious context of our country, for inter-communal relationships in modern India, and commitment to meaningful service of the Faith and Justice among the various groups of the country, especially the more disfavoured. Their specialized or more popular publications in every continent clearly reflect the Jesuits' concerns of these last decades. The VIDYAJYOTI JOURNAL OF THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION is published by the Jesuits from Delhi and respected in the English-speaking world as a leading forward-looking and yet most balanced theological Review. The NEW LEADER and JIVAN are enlightening and inspiring magazines publicising views and actions of the Jesuits of South Asia but read and deeply appreciated in every continent. They promote authentic Christianity today. Inculturation is the process by which a particular Church expresses its faith through the local culture. In India, the purpose is to make the Church both authentically Indian and genuinely Christian. At the Asian Synod of 1998 the bishops called for divesting of the Western image of the Church in the liturgy, style of life, celebrations and trying to overcome the present image of a powerful, affluent and domineering institution. Fr. George Gispert-Sauch, Emeritus Professor at Vidya Jyoti is of Spanish origin as St. Francis Xavier was. He has published two volumes of the writings of Brahmabandhab Upadhyay. Upadhyay was among the first if not the first to demand complete independence of India from the British Raj. He died in jail in October 1907, a martyr of the freedom struggle. The poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote about him Upadhyay was a sanyasi, a roman catholic, yet a vedantist. He was powerful, fearless, self-denying; he wielded great influence on those who came near him. He had a deep intelligence and an extraordinary hold on spiritual matters. Upadhyay was born into a Hindu vaishnava family and he converted to Christianity. When asked by a census official whether he was a roman catholic or a protestant he replied Neither. Put me down as an Indian catholic. The Upadhyay message, as contained in his writings is simple. He was personally a Hindu by birth and culture, a Christian by faith and religion. He was a Hindu Christian. His culture and his faith were both valuable and not in conflict. There was no contradiction because Hinduism is a cultural reality. Christianity is a supernatural revelation that can be expressed in any cultural garb. Fr. Gispert- Sauch believes that we should commemorate this year the death centenary of Brahmabandhab Upadhyay. Jesuits have been and continue to be agents of building healthy, progressive human communities where discrimination of any kind, including cultural and religious, does not have a place. (The writer is a former Union Minister and presently holds a Cabinet rank in the Government of Goa. This is the outline of his speech at the inauguration of the International
[Goanet] Press Release: Statement by Shri Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs
* * * 2006 ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET - GOA * * * WHERE: Foodland Cafe - Miramar Residency - Miramar, Goa WHEN: December 21, 2006 @ 4:00pm More info: http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2006-December/051747.html STATEMENT BY SHRI EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING ON DECEMBER 20, 2006. The Global Goans Convention will be held on January 3-5 next. The Conference will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister and the Governor of Goa will present the Global Goans Achievement Award to the following eminent non-resident Goans and persons of Goan origin. * Dr. Alfredo Bruto da Costa, former Minister for Health and Social Welfare in the Government of Portugal and presently President of the Portuguese Economic and Social Council. * Dr. Narana Coissoro, former Deputy Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament and presently President of the Institute of Oriental Studies, Lisbon. * Mr. Fitz de Souza, a freedom fighter, colleague of the legendary Kenyan leader Jomo Kenyata, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya. He was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Sanman Puraskar by the President of India in 2004. * Mr. Justice Wolfango Dourado, former Attorney General of Tanzania and Chief Justice of the High Court of Zanzibar. * Prof. Damodar R. Sardesai, Emeritus Professor of History, University of California(USA) * Ms. Patricia Rozario, eminent opera singer knighted by the Queen of England with the OBE. Awarded the Asian Women's Award for Achievement in Arts. * Mr. Leslie de Melo, artist, sculptor and painter, recipient of several awards from the Ministry of Arts, Government of Austria. * Mr. Neville Roach, Chairman and CEO of the transnational corporation Fijutsu, Australia and an acknowledged authority on IT and Telecommunications. Foreign diplomats and some of our Ambassadors and heads of the Departments of the Ministry of External Affairs concerned with Gulf countries, West Asia, West Europe etc. will also address the Convention and interact with the participants. There will be interactive sessions with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and other senior Ministers of the Government of Goa. The plenary sessions of the Convention will be held at Hotel Cidade da Goa, Panaji whilst the interactive sessions will be held at the Secretariat, Porvorim. The Convention is open to non-resident Goans, persons of Goan origin, former NRGs and all persons interested in NRI affairs. The membership fee for the 3 day event which includes lunches, dinners, cultural programmes and mementoes is Rs.1000/- and Rs. 500/- for students. Those who wish to attend the Conference may contact for registration Shri Tushar Halarnakar, OSD Tel no: 2419525/6(office) 2412069(residence) 9822382303(mobile) Or Shri Francisco Martins, event manager Tel no: 9823036417(mobile) They may also register online on our website www.globalgoans.org.in or at Cidade de Goa on January 3, 2007 at 9 a.m. (ends)
[Goanet] Registration fees for global goans convention
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * Spread the Christmas cheer - even when you're not here! Send Christmas Greetings to your loved ones in Goa. 2006 Christmas - Two Packages available from EXPRESSIONS http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/ OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS (Cabinet Minister Rank) GOVERNMENT OF GOA Dear Sir, This is with reference to your kind e-mail addressed to us re. registration fees for the Global Goans Convention. The fees as well as the programme were released on our website www.globalgoans.org.in. The website is in existence for the last two months and was widely advertised. However, in view of your request as well as of some others, the Hon. Commissioner for NRI Affairs has directed that there should be no increase in the registration fee. It will continue to be Rs.1000/- or US $20 per adult and Rs.500/- or US $10 for students. With regards Yours sincerely Secretary Dipti Verlekar To, JoeGoaUk Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] goanet@goanet.org Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com
[Goanet] regarding flights from and to Musat
EDUARDO FALEIRO COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS (Cabinet Minister Rank) GOVERNMENT OF GOA December 6, 2006 Dear Mr. Douglas d'Souza, Thank you for your email regarding flight from and to Muscat. I have written to the Union Civil Aviation Minister in this matter. Furthermore, senior officials of this Department met the Secretary for Civil Aviation, Government of India in New Delhi on December1, last. They were told by the Secretary that only last week when he was in Muscat no mention was made by anyone regarding the need for this flight. However he said that they were starting a Mangalore-Muscat flight and could consider a stopover in Goa. At the request of some of our Goans in Kuwait, our officials also requested for an additional direct flight from Kuwait to Goa and that the flight should leave Kuwait on Thursday rather than on Friday to allow an extra day in Goa. For further information you may like to contact the Director in this Office, Shri U.D Kamat : 0832-2419460/1(residence), 2419525/6(office), 9923246562(mobile) With regards EDUARDO FALEIRO To, Mr. Douglas Desouza Emai:[EMAIL PROTECTED] goanet@goanet.org Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com
[Goanet] seats for NRG students
EDUARDO FALEIRO COMMISSIONER FOR NRI AFFAIRS (Cabinet Minister Rank) GOVERNMENT OF GOA December 1, 2006 Dear Mr. Norbert d'Sa, Thank you for your letter of November 29 re. exorbitant fees charged for the seat reserved in the Goa Medical College for NRG students. We have moved for increasing the number of seats for this category of students and I have made it clear that the fees charged should be reasonable. We are taking necessary steps to obtain the additional seats before the next academic year. For further information you may like to contact Shri Anand Prasad, who is the Secretary, NRI Affairs as well as Secretary, Health in the Government of Goa. With regards EDUARDO FALEIRO To, Mr. Norbert d'Sa Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] goanet@goanet.org Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com
