Team Herald
MARGAO: Renowned thinker and cultural activist Ganesh Devy, speaking at the 33rd All India Konkani Parishad, lauded Konkani’s resilience and progress despite a challenging history. Addressing a large gathering at Ravindra Bhavan, Devy celebrated Konkani as one of the few languages that has not only survived adversity but flourished, connecting South Asia to the world.
“There are nearly 7,000 living languages, and about a thousand are gradually moving towards extinction. Konkani stands among those with extraordinary resilience, a legacy of survival and growth,” Devy remarked, adding that the “Konkani’s flag was and is flying high.”
He noted that Konkani boasts the highest literary output among India’s 22 scheduled languages and continues to flourish despite political and cultural challenges. "A language capable of absorbing diverse influences," Devy stated, "can combat the politics of rejection and hatred.” He further warned against a technology-driven regime of increased surveillance, asserting that “a language preserving the spirit of freedom can indeed save the world."
The two-day Parishad will continue in Margao on October 27.