To, The Editor,
Sir, Kindly give publicity to the following news item. Thanking you in advance, *Jose Salvador Fernandes* President Global Konknni Organisation (Jagotik Konknni Songhotton- JKS) Kalaangaan, Makale, Shaktinagar, Mangalore, 575016 Contact No.:9881810832 *PRESS RELEASE* An Emergency Meeting was convened by Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (JKS), on July 8, 2018, at Kalangann, Mangalore, to discuss the issue of – ‘Census 2011 registering a decline in the number of Konkani speakers, in comparison to the numbers of 2001’. 60 delegates, representing various organisations of various regions, including one each from Saudi and Dubai, participated in the deliberations. The following Speakers presented their point of view – Dr. Pratap Naik (Scholar & Researcher), Goa, Dr. Devdas Pai (Ex-Registrar – Karnataka Konknni Sahitya Academy - KKSA ), Mangalore, Narayan Kharvi (Ex-President – KKSA), Kundapura, Jose Salvador Fernabdes (President – JKS), Goa, Com. Muneer Katipalla (Representing Byari Language), Katipalla, Paul Moras (Researcher/Writer), Mangalore, JaisonSequeira (Poet/Singer/Composer), GurpurKaikamba, Lingappa Gowda (Kudmi Writer/Activist), Neerkere, and Arunraj Rodrigues (Actor/Playwright/Director) Mangalore. EshanFernandes (Student), Al-Ain, (his point of view was placed before the gathering). The speakers as well as the participants were unanimous in their answers to the questions discussed. They concluded that – (a) The Census figures do not truly represent the real numbers of the Konknni people. (b) The downslide reflects the decline of Konknni. (c) More than the government and the people, the leaders of the Konkani Movement are responsible for this situation. (d) To redeem Konknni from this quagmire, the following was decided – 1.“VISION – 2021” (A massive Awareness Campaign among all Konknnis of every region to be undertaken, to ensure that the 2021 Census will register a remarkable increase in our numbers). 2. Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (JKS), at its Global Assembly on the 26th of August, 2018, to chalk-out the plan of action and also to ensure its implementation. Dev borem korum. *Eric Ozario* Secretary General President Global Konknni Organisation (Jagotik Konknni Songhotton- JKS) Kalaangaan, Makale, Shaktinagar, Mangalore, 575016 Contact No.:9741668619