Re: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
Dear Goanetters I studied in English Medium school. My teachers were good in English and the school encouraged us to speak in English most of the time. Konkani was not taught in the school and the languages we had were English. Hindi and the third language was French, Latin, Portuguese. Because of this we could understand easily maths, science, history and geography. While studying even an aveage boy could follow the text book and solve old question papers of SSCE without much difficulty. Tony De Sa was the product of that school .Hence the students were easliy able to adjust at medical college. Engineering college and any other such colleges without much trouble. Even the students whose parents spoke konkani most of the time mostly the labour class were good in studies in the school. Did we forget our mother tongue? I started reading konkani novels while I was in school. My mom was a lover of konkani novels and would buy them .At first reading the novels in Romi script was rather difficult but with effort I was able to read it with ease. Today without learning konkani language myself I can write konkani in Romi script .I have been writing konkani tiatrs and staging them. I even got best script award. Albert de Souza > From: dr.udayba...@gmail.com > To: goanet@lists.goanet.org > Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:45:47 +0530 > Subject: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools > > I have not studied Konkani all throughout my primary school and college > days, but speak Konkani right from my childhood. I could read Konkani both > in devnagri and romi because my primary education was in Marathi and > thereafter my education was in English. I learnt writing devnagri Konkani > somewhere in 2000, that too on my own and even publish one short story book > in devnagri Konkani (my 13th book) titled 'Belapan' which was released at > the hands of Damodar Mauzo. > > While my daughter and son studied in English primary school (Manovikas) with > Konkani as one of the subject. Daughter passed out IT engineering and right > this year doing her ME. My son has joined computer engineering. Whenever > issues of medium of instruction at primary level popes up my children always > accuse me asking, why had you not put us in Marathi primary school like you > studied? To this question I always avoid replying or justifying them - for I > too question my parents as to why they had enrolled me to Marathi primary > school. This situation clearly suggests that once child grow up they do > question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact > that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make > informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and > parents! > > Over all, I consider that it's not worth taking any side on the issue, for > whichever side one take there will be a counter offensive. Therefore I don't > want to justify, defend or take up any side on the issue. > > These days I've noticed that our political dividers (Goans) are beating > drums on medium of instruction in primary schools in Goa for the third time. > This is not a healthy sign. Such attempts will ruin the future of our > upcoming posterity. > > I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once > and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this could be > even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in > year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank opinion. > > Best regards, > > Uday Barad > >
Re: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
Dear Dr. Barad, We have both made our points on this issue. I thank you for your views good wishes jc
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
MY RESPONSE: JC how can you call a vote casted separately along with assembly poll and in line with voting norms to be 'Referendum'? It's not referendum but will be an actual 'opinion poll' of all voters. And if you still continue saying its 'Referendum' government can go ahead with exclusive 'opinion poll'. No matter whether it will cost money or not - even otherwise exchequers money is being systematically siphoned by our politicians. Hope this answers your response appended below: jc RESPONSE: Dear Dr. Barad, I appreciate your clarification. What you have suggested should, surely, not cost a lot of money to the exchequer. However, while that vote might test the 'opinion' of the voters, I am not sure that it can be called either a "Referendum" or an "Opinion Poll". But then, you might be right - especially as in India (and in the tracking polls in the US and UK) TV stations call their 'straw', telephone or exit polls as Opinion Polls. MY RESPONSE: JC, firstly I must congratulate you for establishing new relation with Digu i.e. he is now turned your Kaka. JC, in an opinion poll, like in any voting, there will always be a winner and a loser. Winning or losing is like a chance game. At least it's going to be the opinion of masses (no matter even if they are actually a??ses). During Goa's first ever opinion poll we never debated in such a way. Even during those days we did see politicians and their cronies' active involvements. Your worst enemy Bandodkar, than CM of Goa and opposition Jack-Babu & company on other side were using all their tactics. Still we accepted 'opinion poll' proposal and went ahead with opinion poll. End result, Goa should not be merged with Maharashtra was the outcome ... We got what we wanted is entirely a different issue. JC 'opinion poll' is like any other election - winner always carry big smile on their faces and loser will carry sorry faces. This also follows the crossover of even ideology to winning side. This is called 'survival of fittest' which is invariably practiced by even professionals, thinkers, educationalists, elite crowed, and even by politicians from losing side, leave alone Aam Admi. While concluding this short message, I strongly feel that issue of medium of instruction in primary school in Goa should only be solved by 'opinion poll'- and that's the best way out. Let all Goans get involved in making a choice for Goa no matter whether it's going to be right or wrong. But we must not allow some handful of people like Babushes, Church-hills, Jonquills, shashi-kalas, bhembres, naiks, Prataps to decide for Goa. Hope this answers your important query which is appended below. Best regards, U. G. Barad JC wrote: U. G. Barad wrote: JC I disagree with your last two paragraphs i.e. [1] JC: Dr. Barad that the phrase "Opinion Poll WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer" is an oxymoron. If anyone cares to remember the amount of Rupees that were invested in the Opinion Poll "to join or not to join Maharashtra" by the JOIN group, and that too about 45 years ago, one would not dream of that today. BARAD: JC you are talking about an opinion poll which was conducted exclusively to decide whether Goa should be joined to Maharashtra or not therefore that exclusive opinion poll did cost us money. My suggestion is to have the opinion poll on medium of instruction in primary school along with assembly poll. This will incur insignificant expenses. For all that is required to be done at each polling station is to install additional voting machine or issue additional ballot paper with options to vote for 1) English; 2) Konkani; etc jc RESPONSE: Dear Dr. Barad, I appreciate your clarification. What you have suggested should, surely, not cost a lot of money to the exchequer. However, while that vote might test the 'opinion' of the voters, I am not sure that it can be called either a "Referendum" or an "Opinion Poll". But then, you might be right - especially as in India (and in the tracking polls in the US and UK) TV stations call their 'straw', telephone or exit polls as Opinion Polls. == 2) JC : Besides, if an opinion poll were to be held today, there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language... BARAD: Question of Kanada, Bihari or for that matter DIGU's vote bank Urdu does not arise because Goa will have to conduct opinion poll only to chose / decide on medium of instruction at primary level out of 3 choices: 1) English; 2) Konakani; 3) Marathi. Second sub-option for Konkani selectors could be: a) Devnagri or b) Romi. That's all. jc RESPONSE: Once again, you are quite right here. My "there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language." comment was merely to stress (like you) the presence of 'Vote Banks" which may/will soon take over Opinion at the polls. A Query: (and this is important), (a) IF this matter appears to affect only the Konkani-medium schools and their parents, should the Marat
Re: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
U. G. Barad wrote: JC I disagree with your last two paragraphs i.e. [1] JC: Dr. Barad that the phrase "Opinion Poll WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer" is an oxymoron. If anyone cares to remember the amount of Rupees that were invested in the Opinion Poll "to join or not to join Maharashtra" by the JOIN group, and that too about 45 years ago, one would not dream of that today. BARAD: JC you are talking about an opinion poll which was conducted exclusively to decide whether Goa should be joined to Maharashtra or not therefore that exclusive opinion poll did cost us money. My suggestion is to have the opinion poll on medium of instruction in primary school along with assembly poll. This will incur insignificant expenses. For all that is required to be done at each polling station is to install additional voting machine or issue additional ballot paper with options to vote for 1) English; 2) Konkani; etc jc RESPONSE: Dear Dr. Barad, I appreciate your clarification. What you have suggested should, surely, not cost a lot of money to the exchequer. However, while that vote might test the 'opinion' of the voters, I am not sure that it can be called either a "Referendum" or an "Opinion Poll". But then, you might be right - especially as in India (and in the tracking polls in the US and UK) TV stations call their 'straw', telephone or exit polls as Opinion Polls. == 2) JC : Besides, if an opinion poll were to be held today, there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language... BARAD: Question of Kanada, Bihari or for that matter DIGU's vote bank Urdu does not arise because Goa will have to conduct opinion poll only to chose / decide on medium of instruction at primary level out of 3 choices: 1) English; 2) Konakani; 3) Marathi. Second sub-option for Konkani selectors could be: a) Devnagri or b) Romi. That's all. jc RESPONSE: Once again, you are quite right here. My "there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language." comment was merely to stress (like you) the presence of 'Vote Banks" which may/will soon take over Opinion at the polls. A Query: (and this is important), (a) IF this matter appears to affect only the Konkani-medium schools and their parents, should the Marathi or English medium children's parents be voting on this "proposition"? And WHAT will the Govt & the Marathi-medium students' parents do IF the majority vote in favour of English? Concluding Observation: Never mind the kind of suit they wear for a particular season, politicians are politicians. They will do what they have to do to get elected and climb to the 'kodel'. No one is a saint. The Digukaka whose "urdu vote bank" you now noted, is the same Digukaka who used the same vote bank as a BJP. The Monster Rat who the "clean and honesht" one opposed in the Panjim/Panaji civic polls, is the same one the "clean and honesht" one made arrangements with a few years ago. In fact, the "clean and honest" one pulled a coup to climb to the 'kodel' the very first time. Politicians will divide the voting public and 'assist' them to be enemies of each other at the time of the Polls and thereafter make Kon Banega Karodpati deals which would allow them to either gain the 'Public Works ministry' or the the Karods and a big smile on their faces - along with either a big Cross round their neck or a set of Divve (oil lamps) by their side and proclaim that they are either "Coming back home to the BJP" or "I was always a Congressman at heart" or that they are 'sleeping with the enemy' ONLY for the purpose of "providing stability for their beloved Goa". Yep .It is a stable alright ..replete with all the horse-trading which goes onnever mind the Journos in Denial! Thanks for your post jc
Re: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
The most balanced view that I have heard so far. Thank you Dr. Barad. B/rgds floriano goasuraj - Original Message - From: "U. G. Barad" To: Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 9:45 PM Subject: [Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools I have not studied Konkani all throughout my primary school and college days, but speak Konkani right from my childhood. I could read Konkani both in devnagri and romi because my primary education was in Marathi and thereafter my education was in English. I learnt writing devnagri Konkani somewhere in 2000, that too on my own and even publish one short story book in devnagri Konkani (my 13th book) titled 'Belapan' which was released at the hands of Damodar Mauzo. While my daughter and son studied in English primary school (Manovikas) with Konkani as one of the subject. Daughter passed out IT engineering and right this year doing her ME. My son has joined computer engineering. Whenever issues of medium of instruction at primary level popes up my children always accuse me asking, why had you not put us in Marathi primary school like you studied? To this question I always avoid replying or justifying them - for I too question my parents as to why they had enrolled me to Marathi primary school. This situation clearly suggests that once child grow up they do question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and parents! Over all, I consider that it's not worth taking any side on the issue, for whichever side one take there will be a counter offensive. Therefore I don't want to justify, defend or take up any side on the issue. These days I've noticed that our political dividers (Goans) are beating drums on medium of instruction in primary schools in Goa for the third time. This is not a healthy sign. Such attempts will ruin the future of our upcoming posterity. I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank opinion. Best regards, Uday Barad
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
JC I disagree with your last two paragraphs i.e. 1) JC wrote: 'Dr. Barad that the phrase "Opinion Poll WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer" is an oxymoron. If anyone cares to remember the amount of Rupees that were invested in the Opinion Poll "to join or not to join Maharashtra" by the JOIN group, and that too about 45 years ago, one would not dream of that today. My reply: JC you are talking about an opinion poll which was conducted exclusively to decide whether Goa should be joined to Maharashtra or not therefore that exclusive opinion poll did cost us money. My suggestion is to have the opinion poll on medium of instruction in primary school along with assembly poll. This will incur insignificant expenses. For all that is required to be done at each polling station is to install additional voting machine or issue additional ballot paper with options to vote for 1) English; 2) Konkani; 3) Marathi. And for Konkani selectors, sub-option would be a) Romi OR b) Devnagri script. 2) JC wrote: Besides, if an opinion poll were to be held today, there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language... My reply: Question of Kanada, Bihari or for that matter Digu's vote bank Urdu does not arise because Goa will have to conduct opinion poll only to chose / decide on medium of instruction at primary level out of 3 choices: 1) English; 2) Konakani; 3) Marathi. Second sub-option for Konkani selectors could be: a) Devnagri or b) Romi. That's all. Best regards, U. G. Barad On Sunday, 27 March 2011 J. Colaco wrote: [1] ?U. G. Barad?wrote: a:?my primary education was in Marathi and thereafter my education was in English. b: ?I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all GOAN voters. And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in year time WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer. [2]?Dr. Ferdinando dos Reis Falc?o?responded:??Dr. Uday, I would suggest you re-think what you?ve?written. Do you really mean to say you would believe in the procedures of?voting in Goa? COMMENT: Even though I have often disagreed with Dr. UG Barad (being a Virgo, I also criticise myself), I must say that I have always admired him for his brilliant ability to produce and publish scientific material. And while it was always evident from his GoaNet and Pharmaweb posting (must have folded or what?), that he was probably from a Vernacular medium primary school (as opposed to a good English medium school), the fact that his books have been published and are not cheap by any standards, indicates that he either works very hard on the non-scientific element (i.e. English) of his books or he is able to secure help from the right quarters. Nothing more admirable in a man than to know his limitations and do the needful to overcome those limitations. I absolutely see the wisdom in parents offering opportunities to their children esp opportunities which were not readily available to them (the parents). Dr. Barad has written about his own choices for his children. For that I say to Dr. Barad, WELL DONE Sir! In my mind, you are a Hero. Trust me, your children will Thank you for that. One reason I disagree with these (officially) bachelor Catholic priests and other bachelor politicians is that they give advice wrt Family Life. They say that even though they do not have families, they have read books. (Some even give medical advice without ever having gone through the rigours of medical training) I say to ALL and Sundry: Please allow parents to make the decisions on behalf of their children, UNLESS you are willing to place some funds in trust for the children who take your advice and flop. Dr. Falcao also has made a very valid point about elections. I;d say to Dr. Barad that the phrase "Opinion Poll?WITHOUT extra expenditure to exchequer" is an oxymoron. If anyone cares to remember the amount of Rupees that were invested in the Opinion Poll "to join or not to join Maharashtra" by the JOIN group, and that too about 45 years ago, one would not dream of that today. Besides, if an opinion poll were to be held today, there is a fair chance that Kannada or Bihari might become the official language. There is a famous line in my second discipline i.e. Do not ask a witness a question, the answer of which you may not wish to hear! In conclusion: Please do not take advice on the Medium of Instruction (for kids) from the following folks: a: Catholic priests. b: Bachelors and Bachelors without responsibilities for children they may have sired. c: Wealthy folks who can send their children to Switzerland for education and 'banking studies' d: Wealthy folks whose children do not have to work for a living. e: Politicians who want to divide and rule. jc
[Goanet] Medium of instruction in Primary Schools
I have not studied Konkani all throughout my primary school and college days, but speak Konkani right from my childhood. I could read Konkani both in devnagri and romi because my primary education was in Marathi and thereafter my education was in English. I learnt writing devnagri Konkani somewhere in 2000, that too on my own and even publish one short story book in devnagri Konkani (my 13th book) titled 'Belapan' which was released at the hands of Damodar Mauzo. While my daughter and son studied in English primary school (Manovikas) with Konkani as one of the subject. Daughter passed out IT engineering and right this year doing her ME. My son has joined computer engineering. Whenever issues of medium of instruction at primary level popes up my children always accuse me asking, why had you not put us in Marathi primary school like you studied? To this question I always avoid replying or justifying them - for I too question my parents as to why they had enrolled me to Marathi primary school. This situation clearly suggests that once child grow up they do question parents for imposing their decisions on them - despite the fact that child's age at the entry to primary level can never allow them to make informed choice! This argument may not be true with all children and parents! Over all, I consider that it's not worth taking any side on the issue, for whichever side one take there will be a counter offensive. Therefore I don't want to justify, defend or take up any side on the issue. These days I've noticed that our political dividers (Goans) are beating drums on medium of instruction in primary schools in Goa for the third time. This is not a healthy sign. Such attempts will ruin the future of our upcoming posterity. I believe, in such dead-lock situation, the issue could be best solved once and for all by taking opinion poll from all Goan voters. And this could be even initiated along with upcoming assembly election in Goa which is due in year time without extra expenditure to exchequer. This is my frank opinion. Best regards, Uday Barad
