Subject: Thousands of Goans scattered all over the world will converge in London

Goan convention in London to discuss environment degradation back home

By Mayabhushan Nagvenkar

Panaji, July 17 (IANS) Thousands of Goans scattered all over the world will converge in London next week to voice concerns over rampant mining and corruption in Goa and issues related to job security and unemployment faced by the diaspora.


The Global Goans Convention (GGC), scheduled to begin in Britain July 22, is being hosted by diaspora groups in association with the Goa government and is being held in tandem with the UK Goan festival.


A London-based spokesperson for the GGC, said that the brazen destruction of mountains and water-bodies in Goa's hinterland caused by mining was a cause of concern amongst the diaspora and that it needed to be tackled, "before it is too late for Goa".


"This is an issue which needs addressing before it is too late for Goa. The rampant illegal mining taking place in Goa is a cause for concern. We are fortunate having Carmen Miranda, a mining activist in London. She has been making representations in Goa and Delhi too," IANS was told.


Carmen Miranda, a former regional director of the Panos Institute, has been lobbying for an end to indiscriminate and illegal mining in Goa, which is literally a Rs.6,000 crore industry.


Conservative estimates put Goa's illegal mining industry at nearly 18 percent of the 45,000 million metric tonnes output, according to government data.


The GGC, which will see thousands of expat Goans from the US, Canada, Australia, Europe and Africa converge in London for the three-day event, will also see the community connecting with their roots and culture.


"As this coincides with the 50th anniversary of Goa's independence, this is the main theme. Other objectives are to celebrate Konkan culture and to discuss some of the problems in Goa today," he said.


Several thousand Goans live in Britain and are connected through the parent Goan Association (UK) and also through smaller networks linked to their roots in Goan villages and the GGC will help bring them all under one umbrella and help confront issues affecting not only their home state but also the country they now live in.


"The Goans in Europe concern themselves with issues within the communities they live. Issues which affect their everyday lives politically, socially and economically. Some of the issues are job security, care provision for the elderly, inflation, indiscipline in schools and with youth," he said.


"Regarding Goa, they are concerned about corruption, garbage, sewage, mining, power shortages, safety standards and bureaucracy,"

Thank you all of you lovely people who wished me luck finding a job.

As you know I've been an Admissions Officer in Education for years and one of my jobs is going over to the Job Centre to interview those people who have been unemployed for over six months to offer them back to work training, in various areas.

Some of these people are unemployed between 6 moths and 20 odd years. I once interviewed a guy who had a degree in IT and had been unemployed for 6 years. When exploring things like Fork Lift Truck Licence, Security Licence (which there is a skills shortage in our area) etc he was horrified. He told me in not uncertain terms that he was over qualified and my response was 'but you don't have a job do you and it's all about brining money into the home to pay the bills'. I told him, I am well qualified but if I lose my job tomorrow I'll be knocking on all the factory doors, shops etc.... I'm not proud! And that's exactly what I've done. I start in George at Asda in a couple of weeks. Some might think I'm crackers but it's evenings and it means I can take care of my new granddaughter when my girl returns to work and still bring money in - perfect all around.

There ARE jobs out there, it just depends on your own morals. UK government needs to toughen up with some of the long term unemployed.

Hi there, & Well done you.....
I wish i had you as an unemployment officer (if that`s the official title). I have been to jobcentre many times, since returning from living in Goa for 6 years, & all i have been offered is Volunteer work & school-like courses.
I have also knocked on many doors, but having a `Void` in my work history (out of U.K. for so long) is proving a problem.

Could you not put in living abroad/travelling gaining life experience or something similar to fill the 'void', all experience is valuable.

Well done Heidigirl, when I could not work full time I did jobs like cashier in a bingo hall and waitressing and I worked in a bread shop and C&A's while they were still open in the UK. Once my children were old enough I went back to a full time accounting job and the personnel officer said that having done those jobs proved that I was willing to work and gave me more rounded experience than I would have gained just working in an office all the time. There are jobs out there it is just people are not prepared to do them.

That's exactly what I'd put. Also I would consider on your job applications to say that you are willing to work for a week's trial.

Sorry wkdkev, I certainly didn't mean that everyone could get a job so easy, I was just generalising with some people who see benefits as a way of life. And I do appreciate there are many people, like yourself, who are really trying.

Good on ya Heidi.
I am well pleased for you.

And Wkdkev - put down travelling abroad and list what things you gained from it. It makes you interesting at an interview !

Dread - x

Can anyone recommend a nice white wine to drink in Goa?

for cheap and cheerful well chilled Zinzi white was drinkable last season. about 200 rupees

Early in the season two or three are quite OK but after they have been stored in sun-baked godowns for a few months they are all full of aldehydes and other undesirable compounds (think sherry soaked in fermented cardboard).

AndyD 8-)#

P.S. where can you get 'em for 200?

Samara made by Sula available in a few places at about 180 rs a bottle.
Only prob is removing metal top.....one needs to get a knife blade under the foil,,,,,cut up to where the perforations are....then cut around where it is meant to break when turning the top and then you deserve a glass of wine!!!!!
And mind you don`t cut your fingers while performing this delicate operation!!!!!I always perform this operation whilst sober!!!!!

ND Galaxy was a fab white wine at only 170rs a bottle but no longer available.

I buy my Zinzi from a little shop in Arpora just past All Spice, same side of road, heading out of Arpora.

Thanks all - I'll give them a try!

Kauto Star WON

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Never heard of ?

Dread - x