Roman Script: Our Human Right
Fifty years after Liberation, the common Goan is not free to express freely, says WILSON ‘WILMIX’ MAZARELLO
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On 15 August 2010, we observed the 64th Independence Day of India, indeed a day of celebration for all Indians. On this day, our nation was liberated from the British colonialists, our masters for almost 200 years.
The greatest gift of Liberation for us is the restoration of ‘Human Rights’. No more suppression. No more oppression. No more masters. Each one is a master of himself or herself.
With Liberation, we are all expected to receive freedom to think independently and freedom to express independently without fear of anyone. But in reality, have we, in fact, received such ‘freedom’?
Are we really free to think independently? Are we really free to express ourselves independently? Are we really free to choose and decide for ourselves independently?
Or, do we still remain suppressed and oppressed? Is it that someone else is still deciding for us? Is it that through Independence, we have only changed our masters?
Have the British authoritarian masters been replaced by our local Indian authoritarian masters? Think for a while. Why do even such thoughts come to our mind?
The fact is that even after 63 years of freedom, we still have to wonder if we are really free. This speaks for itself.
The very fact that such doubts are being expressed by the common man in India, even today, means there is definitely a ‘hazy-picture’ out there. There is definitely something for all of us to think about.
Exactly 14 years later, on 19 December 1961, a similar story of Liberation and Independence was repeated in Goa. Goa was freed from the Portuguese colonialists, our Portuguese masters for more than 450 years.
Nearly 50 years have passed since then, and the common man in Goa still feels nothing has changed for him, except his masters. The common man of Goa is still not free to think freely, express freely nor decide freely.
Talking of expressing freely, I happen to be a living example of such suppression and oppression by the so-called local Goan masters (the Ministers and MLAs of Goa).
I want to read and write my mother tongue Konkani in the Roman script. It is my wish, my right, and I do not owe any explanation to anyone, as to why I want the Roman script. It is my basic human right to decide for myself, what is good for me. But my local Goan authoritarian masters will not allow me.
I am not alone in this situation. Just like me, there are approximately 4 lakh Goans in Goa and another 4 lakh Goans outside Goa, who feel the same about Konkani in the Roman script.
Our local Goan masters in the Goa Legislative Assembly, without even considering the wishes of the Goans, passed a Bill in February 1987 to suppress and oppress the common man of his freedom to read and write Konkani in the Roman Script.
Through this Bill of February 1987, they are telling us that we may continue using the Roman script if we wish, but the Government of Goa will at no point support it. Through the same authoritarian Bill, these masters are telling us that our money – the tax collected from us – will be used by them to develop someone else’s script, but not ours.
Through the same Bill, these local masters are telling us that even if we continue reading and writing books in the Roman script, they will use the money collected from us to give awards only to books written in the Devanagari script, and to give grants to schools teaching Konkani only in the Devanagari script.
These Authoritarian Masters have already started, to a large extent, using money collected from Roman script users to tutor government servants in the Devanagari script.
In short, they are telling the eight lakh users of the Roman script: “Get lost! You have no right to decide what’s good for you. You are second class citizens in liberated Goa.”
Is this not oppression? Is this not suppression? What difference has Liberation made to the lives of these eight lakh Goans? What freedom of expression have we, eight lakh Goans received? How then can we say that we are free in Independent Goa?
The irony of the situation is that the remaining 10 lakh Goans, who have no problem with the Devanagari Script, feel real sympathy for us, their brethren, but are afraid to speak out, for fear of angering their local authoritarian Goan masters. Yes, they are afraid of their all-powerful Ministers and MLAs of Goa.
One really wonders then, what benefits have Goans received from Liberation? No freedom to think independently. No freedom to express independently. No right to decide or choose what’s good for them. The only difference they have seen is a change of masters.
However, there is always a ray of hope. Such situations are never of permanent nature. History has shown us in several instances that such suppression or oppression can never go on indefinitely. If our local Goan masters think otherwise, then they are sadly mistaken.
A day is coming when the people of Goa will come on the streets to tell their masters, “Enough is enough!” A time will come, and may it be soon, that these Goan masters will have to run for their lives, but it may be too late for them, by then.
When will these Goan masters realise that the Roman script is an inseparable part of Konkani and that it is the ‘truth’? And the ‘truth’ can never be suppressed or oppressed forever.
It is the Roman script for Konkani that gives eight lakh Goans their freedom to think independently, their freedom to express independently and their freedom to choose and decide for themselves independently.
Long live the freedom of India, and long live the freedom of Goa. God save our authoritarian Goan masters.
(The author is the Convenor of the Romi Lipi Action Front)
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Rewarding relationships
By Vanessa Lobo
There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart; pursue these. Relationships are one of the few things in life that catch our hearts. Our loved ones are the most important people to us amongst everyone and everything that surrounds us. We can have all the fame, name, wealth, etc. But of what use are they to us, if we have no one to love or be loved by, who can share our joy and tears, or laugh with us?
One of the first things a child comprehends is relationships. They begin from the time we are born. These are relationships with our mother, father, siblings and, later on, with friends, teachers, colleagues, etc. Whether we like it or not, throughout our lives, we are surrounded by different relationships.
It is wise, therefore, to learn to have rewarding relationships. Every relationship is unique and different, because each person in this world is unique. Even among friends, we relate differently with each one. No relationship can be in any way exactly the same as another. And every relationship keeps changing. It never remains the same, because every person whom we relate to keeps changing.
No one can have perfect relationships, but it pays to keep working at them. We learn through our mistakes and we keep learning more about this subject throughout our lives. Here are a few points that can help us have rewarding relationships:
l If we really want to love, we must learn to forgive: We can’t say we love someone if we cannot forgive them. Forgiveness and love are two sides of the same coin. All relationships go through ups and downs. No one is perfect; we are all, always, learning. We cannot avoid misunderstandings, hurt and pain. But forgiveness and love are the only medicines that can heal our wounds.
l There is always time for courtesy: Life is busy, rough and tough. We behave most rudely towards the people we love most, like our family members, and quite the opposite with our bosses, colleagues, friends and acquaintances. It is ridiculous actually, if one thinks about it. Our loved ones have every right to be treated just as courteously (if not more so) and not be taken for granted. Politeness is important in any relationship, as it makes the other feel respected and significant. It doesn’t take much time or effort to say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ or ‘sorry’. But saying these words and meaning them makes a big difference.
l Be willing to learn: Everyone you know, knows something you do not know. So be willing to learn from them. God does not make junk. He has created every person with certain wonderful gifts, talents and qualities. Every person and every relationship gives us a great opportunity to learn something new; but only if we are humble and wise enough to do so. The opposite is also to be considered; we too must offer something in return. We too must share the gifts and talents that we possess with others, or teach them what we can. There has to be give and take in every relationship, with both parties willingly giving, taking and learning from each other.
l Praise loudly and blame softly: Words carry weight. “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Prov 12:18). Since no one is perfect, we would do well to overlook another’s mistakes and faults or deal with the situation compassionately.
Most people do not intentionally want to hurt or irritate us. It usually happens owing to a combination of factors like stress, unavoidable circumstances, bottled up feelings, past hurtful experiences, upbringing, character traits, etc.
On the other hand, words of honest praise, acceptance, encouragement and affirmation are always welcome. Every one longs to hear them, but they are seldom spoken. All of us are too busy, angry, selfish or too jealous to say them. But our words, tone and eyes reveal to the other how we actually feel about them.
Hope we all succeed in improving the quality of our relationships little by little, day by day. In doing so, we will make the world a better place to live in.
