Exactly nineteen years ago on Wednesday 4th February, 1987 Konkani the mothertongue of every blue blooded Goan became the sole official language of the State after the enactment of The Goa Daman and Diu Official Language Act 1987. But that day the news turned out to be a damp squib. The oft heard comment was "ami Konknni maglem ani amcam Marathi mellam" this was a snide remark to the Konkani recognised only in Devanagari script.
Little did the Goans especially from the coastal talukas or "Velhas Conquistas" under 451 years of Portuguese rule (25.11.1510 to 19.12.1961) ----the other talukas "Novas Conquistas" were under Portuguese rule beginning from 1763-1961----realise that Konkani in Devanagari script --- was accepted as the "natural script" ---by the Advisory Committee of the Sahitya Akademi New Delhi consisting of mainly Hindu Saraswat Brahmins on 21.11.1981. Yet the "Konkani Porjecho Avaz " KPA heading the language agitation with Covenor Mr Pundalik Naik, a Hindu Bahujan (non Brahmin) guided by Uday L Bhembre a Hindu Saraswat Brahmin and one of the signatory to the 1981 decision made the Catholics to compromise on Konkani in the Roman script and accept Konkani in Devanagari script so that the Hindu Bahujan Samaj, " would slowly but surely accept Konkani in Devanagari script". It was also stated that it would act as a deterrent to the influx of those from outside the State. That never happened even in this 19th year after recognition of Konkani and will never ever happen but what eventually happened was that children of "Cristaos" conversant with the Konkani in Roman script since the 16th century were made guinea pigs in laboratories (schools) where teachers in the English medium primary schools were made to overnight since 1989-90 teach children in 125 primary Diocesan run schools Konkani in Devanagari scriptat the same time themselves learning the script. Moreover there is a mushrooming of English medium primary schools where admissions are open for all and sundry. This resulted in the standard of education in diocesan schools coming down, the quality of students produced was below standard; but ironically, in the last 18 years the protoganists of KONKANI in only Devanagari script which constitute 3% of the population of Goa 13,87,807 (2001 census) succeded in having the first Doctorate being awarded to a student of Konkani literature in Devanagari script, by the Goa University last winter 2005, while Konkani in Roman script is dying a cancerous death. The seriousness of the issue is such that in all matters of employment where advertisements for placement in the Goa Government and its allied bodies appear there is a mention of language " Knowledge of Konkani compulsory Marathi desirable " but sadly that Konkani is in Devanagari script as per section 2 of the Official Language Act, 1987 which does not recognise the Roman script. And while "Cristaos" have realised this late now mourn this day or for that matter 20th August 1992 when Konkani was included in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution --- ( VIII Schedule --refers to all languages which are recognised by the Union of India) ironically the Hindu Saraswat Brahmins are celebrating today at the 3rd "Saraswat Festival" at BPS Club grounds Margao Goa. The Archdiocese of Goa & Daman is primarily responsible for this grave injustice done to the Catholic community who are mainly conversant with Konkani in Roman script, for relying heavily on the "wisdom" "buddhi" of Mr Uday Laximikant Bhembre (Advocate) and ex Independent MLA Margao, little realising the undercover clandestine long term machinations and designs intended to relegate the Catholic community to second class status after the Portuguese left in December 1961. As a matter of fact it was one Mr Manjunath who at the first All India Konkani Parishad held at Karwar mooted the idea of universalisation of Konkani and recommended devanagari script as the "natural script" for Konkani. Can the harm be undone. Yes certainly. Fourteen Catholic MLA's in the Goa Legislative Assembly all conversant with Konkani in Roman script irrespective of party affiliation (please note the Constitution of India does not recognize any political party it only recognises the majority elected members of the House -Assembly/Parliament- who can cobble a majority and come forward to occupy the treasury benches in the House.) who can do justice --- for its now or never. Amend the Goa Daman & Diu official language Act 1987 section 2 ---- Konkani means "in Devanagari script" to this just add " AND in Roman script" This amendment will not only do justice to "Konkani mai" but it will also bring forth UNITY IN LANGUAGE --- DIVERSITY in scripts --- let Konkani scripts be Devanagari and Roman in Goa, Kannada in Karnataka and Malayalam in Kerala etc. The Archbishop of Goa & Daman should also petition to the President of India, (this is besides the voluminous signatures that have been sent to his office by a local group) the Government of Goa should also place the several emails recieved by the Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane and the Minister for Education Mr Luizinho Faleiro and MLA of Navelim Salcete Goa the largest Parish in Asia, for the perusal and directions of the High Command,Ms Sonia Gandhi MP and President of the Indian National Congress and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to obtain the Party clearance for moving the amendment in the current session which is of 5 days. Likewise the coalition partner Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) should follow suit. The attempt to introduce English as one subject in the primary schools with Konkani as the medium of instructions is welcome but a sly ploy not to acede to the demand for recognition of konkani in Roman script. It is also intended to neutralise the furore that has been witnessed worldwide since June 2005 for the movement of recognition of Konkani in Roman script. The call by all lovers of diversity in script for Konkani for boycott of the All India Konkani Parishad from 13th February, 2006 in Goa is a litmus test to this genuine demand for recognition to Konkani in Roman and other scripts as well. There is no point in for these fourteen Cristao MLAs and one MP acting against the dictates of their conscience for "fear of being branded as communal" it is obvious that they ought to bell the cat or the electorate will deal a heavy blow to them at the next hustings. This writer has the assurance of the Leader of the Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar, the President of the BJP in Goa that they will NOT OPPOSE SUCH AMENDMENT BILL if placed before the House. The UGDP MLA Mr Mathany Saldanha too is in favour of the amendment. The ex MLA and ex Union Minister for Law Mr Ramakant Khalap is already on record that at the height of the language agitation since September 1985 he was vehemently advising that the Catholics should demand Konkani in Roman script at the time the Official language act was passed. Yet again Goans today do not have an IDENTITY --- while the world recognises Goa as a land blessed by nature and its people having an unique tradition of communal "tolerance" (not harmony) irrespective of religion; the seeds of this tolerance is owing to the fusion of the East meets West culture of Goa that was evolved following 451 years of the Portuguse rule --- which means a fusion that is inclusive of "the pre 1510 Indian culture and post 1510 - 1961 culture "--- whatever be the grim historical circumstances viz prosyletisation -- inquisition (religion of the King of Portugal to be that of its subjects etc ). The "mandos" "dulpods" etc were an outpouring of this fusion culture and this needs to be embodied as the CULTURAL POLICY OF THE STATE not as is being clandestinely done today viz; promoting on pre 1510 culture as that of Goa. Therefore GOANS WORLDWIDE need to vow today to have this agenda listed at every fora of their lives DEMAND OF THE FOURTEEN Catholic MLA'S AND ONE MP a) to bring an amendment to the Official language Act 1987 to recognise Konkani in Roman script b) to define the "cultural policy of the State" to include both the "pre 1510 and the post 1510-1961 east west fusion " as THE CULTURE OF GOA AND GOANS. Let this be a beginning for every Goan on the high seas, in the Gulf countries in West and in all the continents of the world to usher in a new era in Goa, as we move into the second half of the new millenium twenty first century beginning financial year 2006 -2007 before Goa turns into a mini India changing the demographic composition of the State or ending up as a globalised village by the end of this decade. VIVA GOEMCAR VIVA KONKANI BHAS (DEVANAGARI - ROMI lipi) GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA india [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9822158584 __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner now. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.com