PANJIM: Although the passing of the Official Language Act making Konkani the official language is to be celebrated, many see the definition of the script as a great betrayal. Though majority of Romi protagonists fought for Konkani they felt that recognition of on Devanagari script was a major betrayal. Herald Media asked people, whether Konkani Day should be a celebration of both Devanagari and Romi scripts?
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We all feel that Devanagari and Romi should come together. But the Devanagari protagonists do not want Romi, that’s why we have been excluded. By putting Devanagari as the official script in the Official Language Act, Romi script has suffered. If we go to any government department with a Romi script application, they do not accept it since they say Devanagari is the official script. In schools too they teach Devanagari, and other better scripts are neglected. Those who face government interviews where Devanagari is recognized, too face complete disadvantage.
Jose Salvador Fernandes, Secretary Global Konkani
First of all I request that both the scripts should have equal status. I have no issue with that, But we have been fooled by the government and the leadership of the movement. It was like fooling us by giving a small chocolate. Our Romi script is used in tiatrs, in the church, it is there in our songs which have gained international fame. But till date Romi script has not got justice. We have been suppressed and ignored by the government. The government has to give respect and acceptance to this script. Romi script is unique, it is not like other languages, it is such a soft and sweet language, we become emotional when we talk the language. Sometimes it is very difficult to translate it.
Felicio Simao Fernandes, Konkani Protagonist
Konkani is a beautiful language, with such lovely greetings such as Dev Boro Dis Dium ( May God give you a good day), at night we say Dev Bori Raat Dium ( May God give you a good night). It’s a lovely language which come from the heart. We should promote it. But what has happened is that there is a division. There should not be any division, Romi too should get due recognition. The Chinese and the Russians are learning English, but here we are fighting over a script. If we recognized Romi script, the language itself will prosper. My children find it extremely difficult to study it is school, especially the computer generation. We learnt Konkani informally at home, due to the love for the language. So the Global Konkani Forum is spreading awareness.
Joseph LR Vaz, Konkani Lover
We were always together and we should be together. The then Congress government in 197 betrayed us and created differences between us. This is indeed very sad. The present generation is suffering because they have to study Devanagari. They have discouraged our children from learning Romi. Our Goans have a great love for the Romi script. A number of books and novels were written in Romi. Even there were lots of newspapers in Romi, but due to financial constraints they have folded up operations. Only two newspapers are presently being printed Vavdradeancho Ixtt and Roti.
Marshal Pereira, Son of Teotonio Pereira (MLA 1st Assembly)
