20 Jan 2022 | 04:10am IST
‘Parkhonnim’ are integral part of Goan heritage, says Rights activist Cyril Aleixo Fernandes
Team Cafe
‘Parkhonnim’ (Riddles) are an
integral part of Goan heritage, which should be preserved and
promoted, said Human Rights activist Cyril Aleixo Fernandes. He was speaking as
the keynote speaker at an event organised by Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) to
mark the 56th Opinion Poll Day on January 16 at DKA’s Reginald Fernandes
Conference Hall, Panaji. Fernandes delivered a talk on ‘Parkhonnim: Gõychem ek
daiz' (Riddles: A Goan heritage).
Vincy Quadros, President of DKA and Celso Fernandes, Treasurer
of DKA were also present on the dais.
Dalgado Konknni Akademi wants the Government of Goa to recognise
Dr. Jack de Sequeira as the father of Opinion Poll and officially celebrate
January 16 as the Opinion Poll Day or Osmitai Dis of Goa. On January 16, 1967,
Goans fought unitedly under the leadership of Dr. Jack de Sequeira and didn't
let Goa merge with Maharashtra but kept it as a separate Union Territory. Later
it attained Statehood and Konkani was declared as the official language of Goa.
While speaking on the occasion, he focused on the history of Goa
and explained how riddles came into existence. “Riddles are a part of our
heritage and that we find them in every sphere of our life,” he said and put
forth some examples to prove his point. Informing that there are different
types of riddles and that Inacio Gama introduced him to this new found love,
Cyril said that he went ahead with organising the All Goa Riddles Competition.
This competition had a great response and reached out to Goans the world over.
He thanked DKA for inviting him and choosing the subject of riddles, which
itself is a big boost to enrich Goa's heritage.
At
the beginning, DKA President and the key note speaker paid homage to Dr. Jack
de Sequeira by garlanding the portrait.