BRIEfnCOUNTERS: Being prey to the corrupt... is not fun --Aires

----------------------------------------------------------
Archives:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/
----------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEING PREY TO CORRUPT POLITICIANS AND BUREAUCRATS... IS NOT FUN: AIRES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aires Rodrigues <airesrod-0VrrOzQoB60xpvK4C0GaPQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> has long 
been a man of many roles.
Student leader, rabble-rouser, a youngster growing up in the confused
'seventies searching for a role in life, expat Goan, public-spirited lawyer,
the helpful soul... you could see in him one or more of these identities,
depending on which face of Rodrigues you've encountered.

One of the few Goan expats who actually returned back -- to live with all
the myriad of difficulties of a dysfunctional, far-from-efficient Third
World society -- Rodrigues was one of the key moving spirits behind trying
to network Goan expats in the late 'nineties.

Once seen as a supporter of the BJP when he was based in the UK, leading to
a whisper campaign that he was eyeing a career in politics, Rodrigues was
quick to change his stand on returning home and encountering the reality
more closely. 

In actual fact, he has emerged as one of the sharpest critics of the BJP
political agenda and chief minister Manohar Parrikar's stands and styles.
This is not common in a state where much dissent has simply been
incorporated, bought-over, silenced or side-lined -- in a process underway
since the corruption-fuelled days of the early 'nineties political
instability, but which has touched new highs in recent years.

So, his conspicuous absence from the 2002 Overseas Goan Convention on Sunday
didn't come as a big surprise. But perhaps this occasion could be a peg on
which to hang on a Q-and-A to gain an understanding of how he perceives
issues.

One may not agree with everything he suggests -- just imagine a
government-sponsored news service, even our so-called commercially-run press
in Goa has been largely unable to maintain a discreet distance and avoid
undue influences. But Rodrigues does have interesting viewpoints on other
issues. Excerpts from the interview:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Please give us a little background of your role in campaigning for the
NRI department or facilitation centre?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Having lived overseas for years I was able to get to know the  problems
faced by overseas Goans.  After I returned to Goa, I helped to organise the
International Goan Conventions.

There has been a unanimous demand from the expats for a NRI Facilitation
Centre.  I have myself experienced the problems of keeping in touch with
Goan affairs and of re-establishing myself in Goa.  Being prey to corrupt
politicians and bureaucrats is not my concept of fun!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What's your feeling of the direction in which Facilitation Centre is
taking? Is it going along the right road? 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was hoped that this would be a Facilitation Centre and not a Felicitation
one.  There is no evidence of any progress made in the last twelve months. 
The centre should issue regular newsletters, by e-mail, to overseas Goans.

Knowledge of Goa is an essential pre-requisite to action.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why did you move out of it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I could not be a Government tool and at the same time express my opinions
freely.  As a practicing lawyer, it inhibited my duty to speak out and take
action regarding impropriety.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: If you had a say, what direction would you have preferred that it take?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would have been nice to see a NCI Facilitation Centre without any
political maneuvering.  The Centre should be an independent and powerful
body capable of moulding policies and influencing the Government.  Instead
we have lip service being paid to the needs of the NRIs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What prompted you to push for such a body, four years and more ago?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The cause of NRIs was apparent to me.  I was also aware of the successful
establishment of such centres in other parts of India.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What was achieved since? Was the pace of work done okay? Why or why not?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Those managing the Centre should be asked to respond to this question. There
may be real problems that were encountered in realizing their objectives and
in publicizing the existence of the Centre.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Do you feel the FC is becoming increasingly politicised? Any reasons?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Government appears to control the Facilitation Centre  which has
apparently not raised its voice in protest at the shabby treatment meted out
to the NRIs who wish to invest their time and money in Goa. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Are those currently at the helm suited for the job? 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was not suited so I decide to request Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to
relieve me of the responsibility he had entrusted me.  I would not like to
comment on the suitability of those running the Centre, except to suggest
that they should be frank and fearless of the Government.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: It appears that the state is trying to 'sell' the need for
investments/insurance/keeping their funds at home more to the non-residents,
rather than take up their interests. Your comment?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Government seems to have lost sight of the priorities so dear to the
NRIs.  Investments and Insurance incentives should be offered, of course. 
However, there is much more that needs to be done.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: We know that the impetus for networking expat Goans came from the new
tools in information-communication technologies (the Internet, mailing
lists, websites) and expats who were early adopters of the same. Today,
these networks seem rather distanced from the Facilitation Centre...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Yes, the initial thing is off. There may be a communication gap. People at
the Economic Development Corporation (have a different style of
functioning). You also need a human touch. Just by sending an email, you
can't expect everyone to respond. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: In a nutshell, what are the main concerns of Goan expats in different
parts of the globe?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goan expats expect that they should not be uprooted when they return back.
They are critical of the infrastructure, corruption, political wheeling and
dealing, apathy of the Government, the bureaucracy, to name a few.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What would be your estimate of the number of Goan expats globally?
Countrywide figures?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

It would be hard to estimate how many Goans are remaining in Goa!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why has the attempt to collate figures and names of expats met with such
a poor response so far?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

If we can't get the local figures right, just imagine the nightmare to count
our folk overseas!  Besides many second and third generation Goans born
abroad regard themselves as primarily citizens of the country they were born
in.  Representatives of the Centre should make trips abroad and meet with
the NRIs there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: In hindsight, what could have been done better to organise such events
and address the expats?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Less talk and more action.  A great deal of publicity is required.  Key
speakers should be invited from abroad.  The detailed programme needs to be
made available much in advance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Which Indian states do you see as doing a good job for their expat
communities?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are often quoted as examples of successful NRI
Centres.  The Goa Facilitation Centre should seek to emulate them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: How do you feel the expats could help their home state? How could their
home state help them?~
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Goa Facilitation Centre could try to tap into the expertise of visiting
NRIs by arranging for them to meet their counterparts here.  Bridges need to
be built on the professional level. 

Expats should be kept regularly informed of developments in Goa. There
already exists a daily Goa news service sent by e-mail to Goans world-wide.
The Goa Facilitation Centre should consider sponsoring the service.  

If NRIs are kept aware of the problems, developments and opportunities in
Goa, they will be prepared to seek closer affiliation to the land of their
ethnic origins. (CopyLeft GoaNet, 2002)

COPYLEFT 2002. May be reproduced provided full content is kept intact. 

WANT TO check out which mailing lists you could subscribe to? Send a blank 
email message to goanet-request-fkB0aodkGtPQT0dZR+AlfA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
========================================================================