* * *Press Note*
*For Favour of Publication* *DKAs Konkani Conference Demands Equal Status to Konkani in Roman Script* 3rd Konkani (Romi Lipi) Literary and Cultural Conference ended on 20thFebruary 2011 after passing four important resolutions. 1. It demanded that Goa Official Language Act of 1987 be amended and Konkani in Roman script should also be included along with Devnagri script in the definition of the Act. 2. As lovers of Konkani in Roman script are moving away from Konkani education it demanded that Konkani education in church schools be imparted in the medium of Konkani in Roman script. 3. It demanded that students learning Konkani be given opportunity to answer the examination papers in Konkani in Roman script also. 4. It also demanded that in the past Kala Academy Goa used to give awards to books in Konkani in Roman script as a separate category. The same should be implemented by Kala Academy in order to encourage creative writing in Konkani in Roman Script. Earlier on 19th February the 3rd Konkani (Romi Lipi) Literary and Cultural Conference was declared open by the Bishop of Sindhudurg Rev. Fr. Allwyn Bareetto. In his address he appealed Goans to use Konkani language in their day to day life. Shri. Tomazinho Cardozo the keynote speaker of the day stated that primary education in Konkani has suffered because of Devnagri script and a particular dialect is imposed on huge majority of Konkani people. If parents are permitted to opt for Konkani education in Roman script then Konkani language will flourish in leaps and bounds. Fr. Conceicao D’Silva, President of Reception Committee welcomed Smt. Victoria Fernandes, MLA of Santa Cruz Constituency, Mr. Bonaventure D’Pietro, President of Working Committee and Mr. Premanand Lotlikar, President of DKA also spoke on the occasion. Two workshops were organized on the second day i.e 20/02/2011. The first workshop *‘Dispottea Jivitant Konknni’* was chaired by the Vice President of Goa Konknni Akademi Shri. Vincy Quadros while Shri. Ashok Chodankar and Shri. Wilfred Goes presented the papers. The second workshop *‘Konknni Bhaxecho Vistar’* was held in the post lunch session which was presided by Dr. Fr. Simon Deniz, Principal of Rosary College, Navelim. Fr. Ave Maria Afonso and Shri. Daniel F. De Souza presented the papers. Both sessions were attended by large number of Konkani enthusiasts including students from colleges. A *‘Kovi Sommelon’* was also organized in which twelve upcoming poets participated. The *‘Kovi Sommelon’* was presided over by the prominent poet of Konkani language Shri. Yusuf Sheikh. The concluding function was attended by the PWD Minister Shri. Churchill Alemao as the Chief Guest. Dr. Fr. Walter de Sa, Principal of St. Xaviers College, Mapusa was the Guest of Honour. Adv. Valanca Alemao also attended the function. In his address Shri. Churchill Alemao assured the large audience that he will fight for the inclusion of Konkani in Roman script in the Goa Official Language Act. He admitted that he was betrayed by the leaders of Devnagri while passing the Goa Official Language Act. Dr. Fr. Walter de Sa, Adv. Valanca Alemao, Fr. Conceicao D’Silva, Bonaventure D’Pietro and Premanand Lotlikar also addressed the gathering. Jose Salvador Fernandes, Secretary, DKA proposed vote of thanks. Cultural entertainment included staging of tiatr *‘Tujea Moga Pasot’* on 19 th by Roseferns and A Musical Show *‘Songitachi Ek Sanz’* by Lawry Travasso on 20th respectively. *Tomazinho Cardozo*