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Congratulations to the Goans for keeping the memory alive in "Asmitai Dis". For the Goanetters who were not in Goa or India and others who were too young to remember- those were memorable events. There was the banner marches in Goa "Goa for Goans". Many others (including myself) marched repeatedly in peaceful morchas to Flora Fountain, Bombay proclaiming the same thing in the heart of Maratha territory. I recollect my folks going to Goa just to caste their votes in a "do or die" effort. The results were awaited with belated breath. The important news on that night was direction of the Hindu Goan vote. There turned out to be one resounding and overwhelming voice by all the major voting groups in Goa - Hindu, Christian, business, employers, employees and in villages, talukas and major districts. The rest is history... As part of the "Asmitai Dis" commemoration of this year, the government needs to take a special look at the teaching of Marathi in Goan schools. For starters, I do not have anything against Marathi. As an individual who did a lot of my college education in Bombay, I have a lot of love and respect for Marathi language & gratitude and fond friendship for many Maharastrians. However for today's Goan child to learn Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English it has to be too much. With all these, there is not enough time for the teachers to teach, and students to learn History, Geography, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and social studies etc. With this our Navhind Times request us to write an essay on: "Why do Goan youth fail in all-India competitions whether government services or in the private sector? Is something lacking in them or in the environment?" I would strongly urge the legislators and the Chief Minister of Goa to consider giving the students and their parents a break and switch Marathi teaching in schools to computer science education. Marathi Goans (students and parents) will find that with teaching of Konkani in school and Marathi at home, their children will not miss a beat in their language or their culture. Most intelligent Marathi Goans will look at the "trade-off" to benefit their (and all Goan) children in the long run. The BJP is the party who for political reason can bring this to fruition peacefully and gain in popularity. The Chief Minister, declined to attend the Marathi language mela instead electing to go to San Jose, CA, USA, to attend the Informational Technology meeting, has demonstrated his priority. Now the CM needs to bring the same priority home for the future of Goa, Goans and Goa's IT industry which he wants to encourage and develop. Can all in Goa come together once again in setting Goa's priorities? The world is watching and so are your children. All the best! Regards, GL.
