MUSCAT The prospects of a direct flight link between Oman and Goa look bright and Oman Air has expressed its keenness to start a direct flight subject to the availability of aircraft said Eduardo Faleiro, former federal minister and the chairman of NRI Affairs, government of Goa, here on Saturday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Indian Embassy to sum up the proceedings of the two-day Global Goan Convention, Eduardo Faleiro, said the opening up of a direct flight service between Oman and Goa, would be a boon to the NRIs living and working in this country.
Faleiro reiterated the setting up of an apex body representing the Goan diaspora around the world by December 2010 with its headquarters in Panaji, Goa, in India.
He added: “The first step in this direction would be to appoint one representative for each country. Then we will work together with all these people to discuss modalities for the setting up of this apex body.”
Talking about migration and its attendant issues, Faleiro said: “We have recently published the first ever comprehensive Goa Migration Monitoring study. Incidentally this is the second such study in the country, the first being on the state of Kerala.”
Elaborating further Faleiro said migration both within and beyond national border was now a subject of national and international debate. “Acknowledging this reality, the UNDPhad only last month released the Human Development report wihich deals with the theme of migration titled: ‘Overcoming Barriers: Human Mobility and Development.
He added: “We intend to establish a centre of Diaspora Studies at Goa University to study the Indian diaspora in-depth.
Talking about education facilities for children of NRIs, Faleiro said the Government of India had introduced a scholarship programme for the children of Indian diaspora and children of Goan expatriates can also avail themselves of these scholarships.
He added: “In addition to this, we have formulated the Goan Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children under which four scholarships will be available every year for children of non-resident Goan, covering tuition fees and other incidentals.
About 250 Goans from all over the world, and more particularly those residing in GCC countries, attended the convention with its theme dedicated to The Gulf Goan. Revolving around this theme, there were presentations on the following topics: Overseas Goan Groups, employment opportunities and conditions abroad, preserving and promoting Goan identity and culture, family issues – education, communication, travel, housing, entertainment, investment opportunities in Goa and relocating back to Goa.
A Staff Reporter
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