Konkani still not used for administrative work: Shivdas
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 20
Goa Konkani Academy President N Shivdas has lamented that Konkani language is still not being used in the state administration even after the mother tongue of Goans was included in the Eight Scheduled of the Indian Constitution 18 years ago.
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the function organized by Goa Konkani Academy to mark including of Konkani in the Eight Schedule of the Constituency, Shivdas said: “We are sad that even after 18 years that Konkani was included in the Eight Schedule, the language is still not used by the bureaucrats to run the state administration”, adding that if Goans don’t accept Konkani as their language, others will not come and protect the language”.
Reminding the powers that be, including ministers and MLAs that Goa attained Statehood because of Konkani language, Shivdas said regretted that though the British and Portuguese have left the country, English continues to be used in the state administration.
“Konkani language is neglected in the state administration. In other states, the administration is conducted in their respective mother tongue”, he said and appealed to the bureaucrats and government employees to atleast use spoken Konkani if they have any problem with written English.
Earlier, at the program, noted Konkani writer, Adv Uday Bhembre recalled the events in Delhi that finally led to the inclusion of the language in the Eight Schedule.
“The Amendment Bill to include Konkani in the Eight Schedule was passed by Parliament without debate in just one hour and half. It was perhaps the first time then that the Bill was passed in Parliament without any debate, thus realizing the dream of Goans for recognition of Konkani at the national level”, Bhembre said.
