ITEC scholars are Ambassadors of Goodwill
---Says High Commissioner Gupta
By Mark Ramotar

Addressing a gala open-air function on the lawns of the Indian Cultural Centre in Bel-Air, Georgetown on Friday evening, to mark the 41st anniversary of ITEC Day, Mr. Gupta reiterated that ITEC is all about cooperation and partnership for mutual benefits.

SET TO GO: 

Acting President Sam Hinds and Indian High Commissioner Mr. Avinash Gupta with the six Guyanese scholars who moments earlier had received their airline tickets to India to undergo training in various disciplines under the ITEC programme.

Noting that the programme addresses the needs of developing countries, the Indian High Commissioner pointed out that while the main focus of ITEC has been on training in India and deputation of Indian experts, it also covers study visits and projects and project related activities.

The ITEC programme was launched in 1964 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India. ITEC is synonymous with meaningful bilateral collaboration coupled with the strengthening of the ties of friendship between the peoples of India and Guyana.

“Guyana has been one of the major beneficiaries of the ITEC programme and since the starting of the cooperation between India and Guyana, around 400 Guyanese nationals have so far availed scholarships,” he told the high-level gathering of special invitees.

“In the recent past, we have been able to send about 45 candidates every year from Guyana to India for training in several civilian establishments under various schemes including ITEC,” Mr. Gupta said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made by Guyanese ITEC scholars who have been to India and undergoing courses in various establishments…in fact, I term them as Ambassadors of Goodwill,” Mr. Gupta declared.

He also expressed his gratitude to the people and Government of Guyana – in particular the Public Service Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation for extending assistance to the Indian High Commission here to ensure the successful operation of the ITEC programme in Guyana.

“I hope during the current year also we would be able to maintain this momentum and send the same number of candidates, if not more, to India for training,” Mr. Gupta added.

He noted that under the ITEC programme, a number of Indian professionals had also been deputed to Guyana to work in various fields. Currently there are three ITEC experts in the fields of dairy development, town planning and international law.

In his address, Acting President Sam Hinds expressed gratitude to the Government and people of India for having such a programme that is of benefit to so many developing countries. He noted that Guyana has benefited tremendously from the ITEC programme, and stated that the government looks forward to maintaining and strengthening the strong relationship between Guyana and India.

“This occasion provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the benefits of bilateral relationships which fosters technical capacity building and support,” Mr. Hinds said. Similar sentiments were also expressed by Public Service Minister, Jennifer Westford in her brief remarks.

President of the ITEC Alumni Association in Guyana, Mr. Irfan Ali said, “As we reflect on 41 years of ITEC, we would appreciate that the world has changed significantly with a greater degree of challenges fostered by globalisation, fuel crisis, global warming, economic exploitation, cultural subjugation, terrorism, military aggression and raiding of human resources."

As such, he said developing countries like Guyana must confront such challenges with ideas, new ways of doing things, creativity and togetherness. “The men and women who inhabit Guyana are the builders in ensuring today’s dreams become tomorrow’s reality,” posited Ali, who completed a Master’s programme in India through ITEC.

He singled out the Indian economic revolution as a prime example of how ideas can change the world we live in. The Information Technology (IT) industry, advancement in medical sciences and scientific discoveries are all features of India today that were significantly stimulated by ideas, Ali said.

He indicated that the ITEC programmes serve as an excellent opportunity to enhance skills and stimulate ideas that would create a better Guyana as the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan puts it in his book – The New Global Human Order: “Our times call for clear thinking – to diagnose the ills of our globe, to ascertain and to formulate what must be done, a set of guiding principles and programmes of action.

Ali said India, through its ITEC programme, must be complimented for nurturing the minds of so many Guyanese. The deputation of Indian experts in specialist field including agriculture science, communication, mining, legal and engineering disciplines are all initiatives that have positively increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the various sectors in Guyana, he said.

He was adamant, however, that such specialties are ever more critical today as Guyana explores cheaper forms of energy and the modernization of the sugar and rice sectors.

“The field of hydro-power bears tremendous potential for Guyana and must be explored to its fullest,” the ITEC scholar said, while smilutaneously issuing a lobbying-call for an ITEC specialist in the field of hydro-power to come to Guyana and assist in fulfilling this alternative potential of energy in Guyana.

“To our alumni and Guyanese generally, we implore you not to be lured out of Guyana after you have received your training (since) the raiding of human resources by those with greater economic power is a sad phenomenon affecting all developing countries,” Ali urged.

He also indicated that the ITEC Almuni Association is extremely happy at the increased level of cooperation between the Government of Guyana and India, as we strive to solve international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character in establishing a sturdy and lasting foundation for social and economic peace and stability.

Others at the Indian Cultural Centre Friday evening were 

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Manzoor Nadir; 

Former Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj; 

Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Dr. Nanda Gopaul; 

General Secretary of the PPP/Civic, Donald Ramotar; 

General Secretary of the PNCR, Oscar Clarke; 

PNCR member Stanley Ming; and other senior officials from the government and private sector.