-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goanetters annual meet in Goa is scheduled for Dec 27, 2005 @ 4pm | | | | Watch this space for more details | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- With the ongoing demand for official recognition for Konkani in Roman script by an amendment to the Official Language Act the ONLY ONE SCRIPT (DEVANAGARI) ONE LANGUAGE (KONKANI) lobby mainly of some Hindu Saraswat Brahmins have apparently clandestinely the formation of newly sprouted organisation "Goan Catholics for Devanagari" on 7th October,2005 with Fr Jaime Couto as its Convenor and other members viz; Fr Moreno De Souza sj Prof S M Borges (ex Lecturer Chowgule College Margao ) Denzil Dias Xaverito da Costa Fr Michael A Fernandes
This evening 20th December, 2005 this group organised an hour and fifteen minutes meet at the Institute Menezes Braganza Hall on "DALGADACHO SANDESH GHODUN HADPI" meaning those interested in bringing forth the message of Msgr. Sebastiao Rodolfo Dalgado of Assagao Bardez linguistic scholar of international repute who was born on 8th May 1855 and died on 4th April 1922. His 150th birth aniversary is being celebrated to remember the great works of this linguist in the field of Konkani. Though the UNITY in LANGUAGE and DIVERSITY of scripts --- votaries are purusing the issue of recognition of Roman script for Konkani while historically the other camp has been favouring Shenoi Goembab, apparently to draw a wedge between the Cristaos the Shenoi Goembab votaries have now resorted to paying lip sympathy to Msgr Dalgado. At the introduction Fr Jaime Couto spoke of the "need to fulfill the unacomplished dream" of Msgr Dalgado. Prof S M Borges spoke on the life and works of Msgr Dalgado (for more on Msgr Dalagado www.colaco.net offers details ) and regretted that since most of it was in Portuguese language it was incumbent to have his works translated. Later Mr Uday L Bhembre (Advocate) stated that the age difference between Msgr Dalgado and Shenoi Goembab Shri V Valaulikar of Bicholim was just 22 years, and his works in Konkani adopting the Devnagari script could well be considered the beginning of the nagri script for Konkani. Surprisingly this remark from a votary of ONLY ONE SCRIPT ONE LANGUAGE came as a surprise because all along they heaped accolades only on Shenoi Goembab at all fora and now this U turn clearly shows that this group is fighting desperately to avoid recognition for Roman script. Mr Bhembre clearly indicated that plans are afoot to translate soon the works of Msgr Dalgado to expose those who under his name have been advocating the cause of Konkani in Roman script when according to him Msgr Dalgado was for Konkani Devanagari script. But one this is clear those for Konkani in Roman script clear state that Konkani must be in as many scripts as possible and have no hatred towards Devanagari -- but are definitely against those who advocate one script only for Konkani -- this according to them will spell the down fall of Konkani or make it the monopoly on only the Hindu Saraswat Brahmins specially for matters of budgeted funds and matters of employment. It was clearly a case of the Devil quoting the scriptures. It is time Cristaos in Goa realise that they have been lending their shoulders for holding the guns from which the ONLY ONE SCRIPT ONE LANGUAGE votaries fire to achieve THEIR OWN ENDS. At today's meet there was hardly the numbers to call it a "GOAN CATHOLIC for DEVANAGARI" collective or that could be counted --- atleast from amongst the 16 Catholics that this writer could identify Mr Alban Couto ex IAS , Ms Aurora Couto writer , Mr Percival Noronha Astronomer Fr Joao Pedro Fernandes ex Parish priest Our Lady of Grace Church Margao, Mr Miguel Braganza Botanist etc it was difficult to believe that they supported Konkani in Devanagari script. The other persons included the press and Mr Pundalik Naik President of Goa Konkani Academy and his spouse Ms Hema Naik, Ms K Budkuley, Mr Gurunath Kelekar, Mr Naik Shivdas Mr Dhume and the usual bandwagon that Mr Bhembre escorts when he is around at such meets. It was even more strange that those among the Catholics like Fr Couto Fr Moreno and Prof Borges spoke Konkani with in a tone adopting a Roman accent instead of the sanskritised version of Konkani in devanagari "otalo votalo ashirle etc" wer all missing in their vocabulary. Moreover they were seen looking blank when a two legal size paper typed document in Konkani devanagari version entitled " Msgr Dalagado -Konkanikhatir vavr ani haves" in the name of S. M Borges was circulated to the audience--- apparently the contents were gibberish to the Cristaos present and the padres. Another 19 page booklet titled " Dalgadacho Sandesh " with front page photograph of Msgr Dalgado and Shennoi Goembab and back page with Santa Claus to bring some cheer to the Cristaos was released by Fr Moreno De Souza. It must be remembered that the Catholic Scheduled Tribes of Goa who during the MGP regime of late Shri Dayanand Bandodkar were taught in Marathi teaching Government Primary schools are the only ones besides the Hindu Saraswat Brahmins who attempt to read the Devanagari script newspaper, or atleast carry it with them with pride. In fact there is a strange reason why Fr Moreno took a love for Konkani in Devanagari script as narrated by him -- it is because while in Spain when he was asked why he was writing an Indian language Konkani in an European script (Roman) he felt ashamed and therefore took to attempting to learn the Devanagari script -- though he confessed that now at this old age he is still to learn the language Konkani in Devanagari but religiously hears hears All India Radio to familiarise with the accent. In his emotive outburst he too subscribed to ONLY ONE SCRIPT ONE LANGUAGE -- understandbly at his age his belated efforts may not be able to influence "Goan Catholic for Devanagari" outfit. from the IMB HALL godfrey j i gonsalves borda margao goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.yahoo.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------