Just 10 days have lapsed and there has been tremendous email support 83 as of date from all over the world USA Canada Australia Portugal Mumbai Pune etc etc for the amendment to the Official Language Act 1987 . Members of the DKA and TSKK are meeting the Members of the Goa Legistative Assembly and letters of appeal have been mailed to all the MLAs and MPs seeking their support.
But today was a great day for the movement for recognition of Konkani in Roman script alongwith Devnagiri script which commenced since the Pilar meetin July 2005 followed by two public meetings at Margao and latest on 20th August 2005 at Majorda. The Bishop of Pune made a strong appeal to the people to support the movement. It is sad to note that the Archdiocese of Goa & Daman is yet to take an official stand on this issue. In fact what its flock are worried is --why does the Catholic Church under this archdiocese which incidentally has under its domain the largest parish in Asia viz Church of Our Lady of Rosary Navelim, Salcete Goa always remains a "prisoner of its own conscience" when the faithful looks towards it for leadership and guidance. It is the hope of the faithful in Goa that the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman will take a cue from the Bishop of Pune and do the needful NOW OR NEVER Reproduced is the text of the Bishop of Pune's message @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Subject: Language Act of 1987 Bishop's House Pune 411 001 26 August 2005 Dear Lover of Konkani in the Roman Script, If you are interested kindly send the text given below or an adaptation of it to the Chief Minister of Goa and copies to the 3 addresses given below. Konkani in the Roman Script is about 500 years old. In this technological age the Roman Script is universal. Wishing you God's blessings, Yours devotedly in Christ, + Valerian D'Souza Bishop of Poona E-mail IDs of Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, Mr. Pratapsing Raoji Rane: [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Fax No: +918322223464 Rev.Fr.Pratap Naik, Director, TSKK, Porvorim: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mr. Tomazinho Cardoso, President, Dalgado Konkanni Akademi:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Mr. Luizinho Faleiro: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ******************************************************* Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa Secretariat Panaji, Goa 403 001 Sir, The Goans are proud of their mother tongue. Some read and write in the Devanagari Script and others in the Roman SCript. Both groups should be treated equally. The Language Act of 1987, 2(c) means Konkani in the Devanagari Script when it speaks of "Konkani Language". It should be amended to include the Roman Script and read: - "Konkani Language means Konkani Language in Devanagari and Roman Script. I hope your government will take the necessary steps to do justice to both the communities of Goa and promote our mother tongue in Konkani, the pride of Goa. Your prompt action will be remembered and appreciated by every Goan and Konkani Lover. With best wishes, Yours truly From:-------------------- -------------------------- -------------------------- ******************************************************* from Porvorim end Godfrey J I Gonsalves Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________ Send a rakhi to your brother, buy gifts and win attractive prizes. Log on to http://in.promos.yahoo.com/rakhi/index.html