NRGs
to help Goa to prosper
Sandesh Prabhudesai
2 June 2003
Unlike Goan politicians, eminent Goans are not over satisfied
that Goa is graded the best state in the country, no matter
they live in Goa or outside.
'Gomant Bharati Sammelan', a one-day convention of Goans
living outside but within India, was enough evidence of it.
The prominent figures at national level precisely pointed
out what Goa lacks to prosper.
"Everybody knows what happened during 1991 to 2001",
said General Sunith Rodricks, the former army chief, referring
indirectly to the most shameful defection era that witnessed
13 chief ministers.
While 'India Today' has graded Goa the best state during
the same period, Gen. Rodricks feels it is because of the
people and not the leadership.
After BJP chief minister Manohar Parrikar received the awards
in Delhi, the opposition Congress started claiming credit
for the glory since most of the 'defectors Congressmen' were
ruling the state during this period.
Dr V A Pai Palondikar, the economist of national repute,
said India (including Goa) is the most corrupt and inefficient
state while the unfriendly bureaucracy continues to bring
all kind of hurdles for the investors.
"Unless we change with the changing time, we would continue
to suffer", he said.
Sanjeev Kerkar, a banker, asserted that Goa would not be
able to attract foreign investment unless it changes its role
from micro manager to the facilitator. Political and policy
stability as well as well-defined roadmap is the utmost necessity,
he said.
In fact he listed out several fields Goa could concentrate
upon, including focus on service sector, including education
as business, call centres, IT processing data centres, industrial
parks of software, biotechnology, pharma and fashion designing,
medical tourism, film and animation workshops and even a film
city.
Yatin Kakodkar, president of local CII branch and son of
former chief minister Shashikala Kakodkar, said nothing could
change in Goa unless the local mindset is replaced with global
mindset.
For Ajit Kerkar, the CEO of Taj Group of Hotels, it was much
more. To prosper in tourism, he envisages Goan mission beyond
Singapore. "Singapore is man-made, but Goa also has nature
with it", he states.
Tapping of Goan Ayurveda, amusement parks and entertainment
centres, casino on the ground and even efficient garbage collection
could help sustain Goa's tourism industry, he feels.
Dr Zahir Kazi, a Goan doctor excelling in Mumbai, even came
forward to set up a hi-tech medical centre in his home state,
besides helping the state in educational field.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who sponsored the event
through its NRI Facilitation Centre, appears to have achieved
what he wanted. Though it was a meet of few hundreds, the
veterans not only attended it but also volunteered to extend
helping hand to the tiny state, to keep it permanently in
the No. 1 position.
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