Press Release on Goa Sudarop Annual Awards Presentation held at Mandovi Hotel (Convention Hall) ON 6-1-2009 AT 4 P.M.

Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc. a Goans diaspora, non-profit, volunteer NGO working for betterment of Goa and Goans worldwide, had  their Annual Awards  Presentation at  Mandovi Hotel, Panjim on Tuesday, 6^th January, 2009 from 4 p.m.  to 6.30 p.m. Mr. George Pinto, Goa Sudharop’s USA-based co-founder and Director was the Chief Guest.

Three cash awards were given to the winners of the essay competition: “Education in Goa: What is needed?” held for heads of schools in Goa. Two scholarships to financially deserving and meritorious Hindu girl and Christian boy were awarded. Shri Udaya Venkatesh Ballikar was honoured with Goa Sudharop Fellowship for his lifelong, dedicated and inspiring work in education. So also donations were made to several deserving educational institutions, homes for the aged and sick, and to several NGOs serving public causes. (See attachment for details).

An interesting and thought provoking power-point presentation “Educational Scenario in Goa” was made as part of the programme by Fr. Frederick Rodrigues sfx, Principal, Fr. Agnel College of Arts & Commerce, Pilar. The programme was started and interspersed with scintillating classic and Goan folk dances which enlivened the function all the more.

Credit for this goes to the enthusiastic students of Fr. Agnel College, Pilar, who were guided by their Principal, Fr. Frederick Rodrigues sfx.

Goa Sudharop observed 2008 as “Year of Education” in Goa,  and conducted  throughout the year, several educational programmes like symposiums, seminars, workshops for teachers, parents, youth and the general public as well (see attached report).

Since its inception, Goa Sudharop has partnered with various NGOs in Goa as Goa Desc, Green Cross, Bailancho Saad, Goa Foundation, Peoples’ Movement for Civic Action and other groups working at Goa’s grassroots level. This premier Goans Diaspora organisation provides the vehicle that enables all Goans – resident and non-resident to give back to Goa in the form of time, money and skills.

Besides organisation-based projects, Goa Sudharop supports and funds individuals who have done outstanding work in Goa, through the Annual Goa Sudharop Fellowship Awards instituted from the year 2000. These Fellowships not only reflect Goa Sudharop’s continuing commitment to certain key issues like childrens’ and woemens’rights, civil rights and the environment, but also allows Goa Sudharop to build living partnerships with outstanding individuals and groups in Goa, all working with a common mission – the betterment of Goa and Goans worldwide. For more information, visit our website: www. goasudarop.org or contact Ibonio M.B.D’Souza at 2751002 or melicio@hotmail.com