Education hubs
In 2009, the Goa government decided to set up a centralised school complex at Cujira, St Cruz. It was the brainchild of former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar to move six schools and a college from the Panaji city. Land of 10,000 square metre area was allotted to each institution to form an ‘Integrated Education Complex’. The shifting of the schools ended in 2015 and it led to freeing of prime realty places in Panaji, most importantly, the city was decongested to a large extent. Prior to the move, it was a nightmarish experience for parents, teachers, students and the public to drive/ride vehicles and walk along narrow lanes and roads. Recently, the complex has been named as ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Vidya Sankul’ (NT October 9). The Pandit, an imminent and well-respected person, had proposed the notion of ‘Integral Humanism’. According to this concept, the primary concern in India should be to come up with an indigenous development model that has human beings as its core focus. Would it not be in the fitness of things to have named the complex in the honour of late Damodar Dharmananda Kosambi? This son of the soil was a genius with interests in mathematics, statistics, philology, history and genetics. He introduced the ‘Kosambi map function’ in genetics and was a pioneer in the development of orthogonal infinite series expressions for stochastic processes via the ‘Kosambi-Karhunen-Loève’ theorem. He is acclaimed for his work in numismatics and for compiling critical editions of ancient Sanskrit texts. Perhaps, the proposed school complexes in Margao, Vasco, Ponda etc could be named after Goa’s luminaries in the field of education and research.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Swadeshi surge
In a bold assertion of India’s technological prowess, Sridhar Vembu, the visionary founder of Zoho Corporation, is redefining the contours of global software competition. With a robust suite of enterprise applications, Zoho is emerging as a formidable challenger to American tech giants like Microsoft whose market capitalisation now eclipses India’s GDP. Vembu’s swadeshi ethos is not just rhetoric. He has actively encouraged the Indian-origin tech professionals in the US to return home, especially in the light of rising visa fees and restrictive immigration policies. His call to action includes not just software development but also ambitions in hardware and semiconductor innovation – sectors critical to India’s digital self-reliance. Adding momentum to this movement, India’s Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently endorsed Zoho by switching to its apps, a gesture he shared on X (formerly Twitter). This symbolic shift underscores the growing sentiment for homegrown solutions amid geopolitical tensions and tariff threats from the US. India’s demographic dividend and vast talent pool make it ripe for a tech renaissance. By investing in indigenous platforms like Zoho, the country can reduce dependency on foreign software ecosystems and assert its digital sovereignty. This is not just a matter of pride, it is strategic resilience. The message to Washington is clear: India will not be intimidated by protectionist tantrums. Ironically, many of America’s top tech companies, including Google, Microsoft and Adobe, are helmed by Indian-origin CEOs. The very immigrants targeted by visa hikes are the ones powering US innovation. As global tech dynamics shift, Zoho’s rise is more than a business story, it is a statement of national intent.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
School’s challenges
Goa has achieved full functional literacy, meaning it has a literacy rate above 95%, allowing for effective participation in society. While the government continues to project Ponda as an educational hub, what comes as a shocker is that students at the Government Primary School (GPS) at Curti in Ponda are struggling with conditions that compromise their right to learn. A long-standing land dispute with a neighbouring landlady has reportedly forced the school to build a toilet inside a classroom, raising serious hygiene and learning concerns. The landlady, who claims ownership of the school property, has allegedly blocked construction of proper facilities outside the building. Local residents and PTA members have expressed frustration over repeated obstructions in constructing proper facilities. Having a toilet inside a classroom is unthinkable and can affect the studies of the students due to noise and bad odour. The lack of privacy and the unpleasant nature of a bathroom can distract students and disrupt the teacher’s ability to deliver lessons effectively. It also raises concerns with regard to health and hygiene. Some students could be avoiding using toilet due to fear, leading to physical discomfort. The overall conditions and lack of privacy can undermine students’ sense of dignity and well-being. Children deserve a safe and hygienic place to study. Goa is gradually implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy focuses on creating a safe, stimulating environment with provisions for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The issue highlights the challenges faced by schools operating on disputed land.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
