As the efforts to bring about the amendment to the Official Language Act 1987, the first positive sign was shown by ex Law Minister Mr Francisco D'Souza the BJP MLA from Mapusa. Mr D Souza firmly stated that a gross injustice was done at the time of introducing the Official Language Act, 1987 by not giving recognition to Roman script. "A whole generation was affected by this suicidal step" Speaking to this writer in the precincts of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Porvorim this afternoon the MLA regretted the short notice, but promised to bring about an amendment Bill in the next session (Jan 2006)apparently to expose the ruling party's lip-sympathy posture towards the demand of Roman script.
Earlier this writer had a tele-talk (+ 91 011 23792777 ) with Mrs Margaret Alva New Delhi (looking after the Goa Desk) . She was informed that the CM Pratapsing Raoji Rane felt that on a "sensitive issue" of amendment "the party High Command should give the green signal" . This she stated was INCORRECT as the issue of Roman is pertaining to Goa alone. She however added that since the Committee on the language issue was one in accepting the Devnagiri script not much appears could be done for the Roman script. In fact as lobbying got underway, the Deputy Speaker Ms Victoria Fernandes who this writer met at her residence yesterday and today in the Secretariat felt that though she was fully for justice for Roman script as a Deputy Speaker she would not be able to raise the issue and suggested Mr Aleixo Sequeira the MLA of Loutolim but when spoken too by this writer he felt that being a Deputy Speaker himself in the past there was nothing to prevent Ms Victoria from raising the issue. The passing the buck game. Finally it was Mr Jeetendra Deshprabhu the MLA of Pernem who willing agreed to place a Calling attention motion to be taken in the House; In fact he approved the undermentioned draft 29/08/2005 To, Honble Speaker Goa Legislative Assembly Porvorim Goa SUB: Calling Attention Sir, Under rule 63 of procedure and conduct of Business of the Goa Legislature I would like to bring the notice of this House that there is an anxiety and apprehension in the minds of the Goans world wide that neglect of Konkani written in Roman script has alienated several Goans and that the progress of Konkani has not been on expected lines ever since the Goa Official Language Act 1987 was passed. At a meeting organized by the Dalgado Konknni Akademi on 8th August 2005 several poets writers tiatr artistes vehemently made a demand for an amendment to the Official Language Act 1987 sec 2© which reads as Konkani language means Konkani Language in Devnagiri script be made to read as Konkani language means Konkani Language in Devnagiri & ROMAN SCRIPT With this amendment there will be a tremendous zeal to promote Konkani the language of 95 % of the people of Goa , Following this resolution passed at the above meeting several emails were sent to the Honble Chief Minister of Goa the Honble Minister for Education in support of this demand. By this calling attention motion the House is requested to deliberate on the issue, which if found favourable will bring rejoice to the section of the people who have suffered for well over 18 years due to the non recognition of this script. JEETENDRA DESHPRABHU ####################################################### but when by way of abundant caution he sought the "clearance' from Mr Luizinho Faleiro. MLA Navelim This writer received a "sermon" from Mr Luizinho Faleiro stating that he was in fact "the only MLA then who had raised the issue for 25 years for Roman script but preferred not to raise the calling attention motion. Instead he suggested that the decision be placed before the Congress Legislative Party meeting in the presence of Mrs Margaret Alva on 1st September, 2005.and only after arriving at a consensus the issue be deliberated further. When pointed to the gross injustice in the last 18 years he merely stated that the same will be dealt with in the right perspective. Later this writer took up the matter with Mr Aleixo Sequeira MLA Loutolim and he agreed to raise the issue if the Leader of the Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar would support the move. This writer immediately approached Mr Parrikar . He stated that he would discuss with his colleagues, while he personally agreed to the demand for Roman script. He in fact stated that if Mr Sequeira would raise the issue during the "zero hours " or during Demands for official language which will come up tommorow at best he would not oppose such move. Infact it was at the instance of Mr Francisco Sardinha the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly who after discussions with this writer and Ms Victoria Fernandes Dy Speaker who agreed to accept the "Calling Attention motion" if tabled by any member, but the "veto" of Mr Faleiro who is the blue eyed boy of Madam Sonia Gandhi has the last say in the matter. It is clear that the MLAs of the ruling party though sympathetic with the demand do not have the courage of conviction to raise an issue affecting the interests of a large community. This much for the calibre of our elected representatives. Other MLAs feigned ignorance of the letters despatched to them but agreed that the matter should be discussed, in fact Mr Tomazinho Cardozo President had not met many of the MLA's at the speed at which it deserves, was the rhetoric of many. Meanwhile Mr Wilson Mazarello will take over as the President of the Dalgado Konkani Akademi from 31st August 2005. Our efforts to raise the issue of Roman script will however continue tommorrow when the House meets for the Demands on Official language, with meetings with all the MLAs. Mr Mathany Saldanha who's wings have been clipped though he continues to sit in the House was sympathetic to the demand but had doubts whether the move would suceed with the changing diaspora in Goa. It may be recalled that Dr Wilfred De Souza had on 16.7.2004 raised a Private Members resolution which was amended & adopted unanimously and then passed as amended by the House. "The House strongly resolves to request the Government to give granst ( amended by the House to assitance) for promotion of the Konkani language and literature in the Roman script taking into consideration that a large number of Goans use this script in contributing to journals newspapers magazines and books in the script." No doubt this was a great beginning by the then lone NCP leader the Roman script lovers feel that mere assitance is like doles which is a humiliating treatment for a language written and nurtured for over 490 years. Hence the ultimate demand for official language amendment only. from the Secretariat end Porvorim GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA 9822158584 [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________________ How much free photo storage do you get? Store your friends 'n family snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://in.photos.yahoo.com