Will open Education Centres to promote Konkani in Goa, Karnataka and Kerala, says Governor P S Pillai

Team Herald

VASCO: Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Thursday said that he would do his maximum to promote Konkani in the State since it was the mother tongue of the people of Goa, and must be given top priority, as per the Constitution of India. “I will do my best to promote the Konkani language because a local language must be promoted as per the mandate of the Constitution and the mother tongue must be given the first priority. Konkani is also the only language that is also spoken in four States of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala as well,” Sreedharan said while interacting with the newly elected sapanchas and panchayat members at Kala Bhavan, Sancoale. 

 “I have already given directives as the Chancellor of Goa University to open education centres in other States for the promotion of Konkani language and open centres for the same in those States,” the Governor said during his field visit to  Mormugao taluka. 

 The Governor further said that Konkani is ancient and a very beautiful language and promoting it is the need of the hour. Centres to promote Konkani will soon open in Mangaluru and Kerala, he said. 

The Governor also advised that politicians must keep their family ties aside while serving the people, as their representatives. He said that the accumulation of all types of wealth in the name of public work is not correct. People’s representatives should show love, affection, kindness and dedication while serving the people. 

 Sreedharan, who earlier served as the Governor of Mizoram, said that while the GDP of Goa is the highest, the GDP of Mizoram was the lowest. However, the happiness index of Mizoram is the highest and now Goa must scale higher in the happiness index and reach the top position because the satisfaction of the people is of utmost importance. 

 The Governor told the gathering that Gram Swaraj means freedom to the villages and villagers are the backbone of the country. Condition of the village is the criteria for assessment of the development of any State or the country, he said. 

 During his visit, the Governor offered prayers at Shree Shantadurga Temple, Sancoale and received blessings from Teo Fernandes, the parish priest of Bogmalo Church. He also visited the Goa Shipyard Limited, Vasco.