Mangalore: Demand to include Kannada and Roman script while giving Akademy awards.
"We will continue Kannada script in Karnataka as before. But in this era of globalization we need to go along with the happenings of this world. As a large number of our people have migrated from their native place and they keep migrating, use of internet and mobile sms have become the part and parcel of our life and also our people opt to take up education in English medium we find a need of learning a additional Roman script in order to keep continue to communicate in Konkani. That is the reason we find the need of learning Roman script now" said Dr. Edward Nazareth secretary of Karnataka Konkani Writers Forum (Regd) a organization that has more than hundred reputed Konkani writers who use Kannada script for their writings. He was giving an introductory address during a seminar to learn Roman script jointly organised by Karnataka Konkani Writers Forum(regd) and Samanvaya(regd) Mangalore. The seminar was held on 17th April 2005 at Sandesha, Bajjody Mangalore. Rev. Fr. Pratap Naik the Director of Thomas Stephen Konkani Kendr was the main resource person. The dynamic young politician and the South Canara District Vice president of Congress, Mr. Ivan D'Souza was the chief guest. Dr. Gerald Pinto read a memorandum that was urging to recognize Kannada as well as Roman script while considering Sahitya Akademy awards and handed over to Mr. Ivan D'Souza to submit it to the central govt. and to fight for the cause. Accepting the memorandum Mr. Ivan said "I will extend my whole hearted support to the cause of Konkani. I will submit this memorandum to the central Sahitya Akademy and interact with the government in this regard." assured Mr. Ivan. "All the communication of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademy is held only in Kannada. Thus Karantaka Konkani Sahitya Akademy too should extend its full support for this noble cause." he pleaded. "We also need to fight for giving us a Konkani speaking registrar for Konkani Sahitya Akademy and also we need to pressurize the government to publish Konkani news and Mangalore Akashavani" he continued. The forum also mentioned in its memorandum that there are highest number of over 25 literary periodicals in Kannada script which has also the highest readership in Konkani. The devnagiri script has least readership. The books published in Kannada script are of high quality while most of the books of Devnagiri script are published through akademy grants. Still the Akademy is continuously neglecting the quality literature produced in Roman and Kannada scripts. It also publishes books only of Devnagiri script which in fact doesn't reach to the vast Konkani readership. Also the Akademy distributes only devnagiri books in various libraries under government schemes. It accused that though no mention of script was made while including Konkani in the eigth schedule the Sahitya Akademy has continuously played injustice to the writers of Kannada and Dev Nagiri script. Raknno editor Rev. Fr. Eric Crasta inaugurated the seminar. "We have more than 25 literary periodicals in Kannada script. All our periodicals have a very strong subscriber base. Hence we cannot migrate from Kannada script to any other script for Konkani. Hence it is a need of learning Roman script as an additional script for Konkani. He also praised the efforts of Karnataka Konkani Writers forum in this regard." The director of Sandesha Rev. Fr. Denis D'Sa requested to work hand in hand for the cause of Konkani. To make the task of teaching Konkani easy a committee was formed during the occasion to prepare text books. The text book committee members selected are Mr. Dolphy Lobo (President), Dr. Edward Nazareth (Secretary), Rev. Fr. William Barboza, Rev. Fr. Pius Fidelis Pinto, Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes, Smt. Lily Miranda, Mr. Ancy Paladka, Sr. Hilda Gaurd and Mr. Richard Alvaris. Sandesha director Rev. Fr. Denis D'Sa, Samanvaya Managing Director Rev. Fr. Pius Fidelis Pinto, TSKK director Rev. Fr. Pratap Naik, Raknno Editor Rev. Fr. Eric Crasta, Politician and Advocate Mr. Ivan D'Souza, Writers Forum President Mr. Dolphy Lobo, Writers Forum Secretary Dr. Edward Nazareth were present at the Dias. Rev. Fr. Pratap Naik gave a seminar on various writings methods of Konkani in Roman script. President Mr. Dolphy Lobo welcomed the crowd. Secretary Dr. Edward Nazareth gave vote of thanks. Treasurer Mr. Marcel D'Souza (Machcha Milar) beautifully compared the programme. Report by: Ancy Paladka http://www.konkanifoundation.com/ancy/ ________________________ E2-139 Diwan Apt III, Vasai Road East, Thane Dist - 401 210, Maharashtra, INDIA Tel: 0250-2390225 / 95250-2390225 Cell : 0 9422 4922 41 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
