---------------------------------------------------------- Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ----------------------------------------------------------
Same diagnosis: Different treatment In case you missed, the following is the problem which two Goans (and surely many more) have identified on the Goanet line. Subsequently are two solutions both of which appeared on the Goanet. CyberGoans now have the opportunity to chime in with thoughtful comments on a very serious and challenging problem. The comments and the solutions should be polite and constructive to both perspectives, without the emotionalism that this subject can evoke. Regards GL LET BOTH MARATHI AND KONKANI PROSPER, SAYS KHALAP: (from Goa news clippings) "The development of Konkani language does not depend upon the status given to it by any law, but on its use by people at all levels, Mr Ramakant Khalap said, adding that it Konkani had suffered today, it is because of "konkaniwadis" who kicked away the golden opportunity to propagate Konkani language through Konkani education at all levels. This has resulted in majority of the students dropping out of schools, without proper knowledge of Konkani, Marathi or even English language and ending up as peons, cooks, waiters and butlers, or tuning into vagabonds and castaways, open to all vices, he noted. (NT) GIVE THE GOAN STUDENTS A BREAK BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! As part of the "Asmitai Dis" commemoration of this year, the government needs to take a special look at the teaching of Marathi in Goan schools. For starters, I do not have anything against Marathi. As an individual who did a lot of my college education in Bombay, I have a lot of love and respect for Marathi language & gratitude and fond friendship for many Maharastrians. However for today's Goan child to learn Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English it has to be too much. With all these, there is not enough time for the teachers to teach, and students to learn History, Geography, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and social studies etc. With this Goa's Navhind Times request to write an essay on: "Why do Goan youth fail in all-India competitions whether government services or in the private sector? Is something lacking in them or in the environment?" I would strongly urge the legislators and the Chief Minister of Goa to consider giving the students and their parents a break and switch Marathi teaching in schools to computer science education. Marathi Goans (students and parents) will find that with teaching of Konkani in school and Marathi at home, their children will not miss a beat in their language or their culture. Most intelligent Marathi Goans will look at the "trade-off" to benefit their (and all Goan) children in the long run. The BJP is the party who for political reason can bring this to fruition peacefully and gain in popularity. The Chief Minister, declined to attend the Marathi language mela instead electing to go to San Jose, CA, USA, to attend the Informational Technology meeting, has demonstrated his priority. Now the CM needs to bring the same priority home for the future of Goa, Goans and Goa's IT industry which he wants to encourage and develop. Can all in Goa come together once again in setting Goa's priorities? The world is watching and so are your children. All the best! Regards, GL.
