MARGAO: Konkani writers and lovers at a meeting on Sunday not only decided on some concrete steps to standardize Roman Konkani but also decided to prepare a road map for recognition of Konkani in Roman scripts as official language of Goa while admitting that there is an absolute lack of political will to do so.
Various Konkani lovers including Dalgado Konkani Academy President Tomazinho Cardoso, Editor of Gulab magazine Fausto V Da Costa, Editor of Vavradeancho Ixtt Bro Eusebio Miranda, Fr Manuel Gomes, S M Borges, Editor of Jivit Michael Gracias and some others had gathered at Margao today.
Michael Gracias who had convened a meeting on 29th August 2017 over the recognition of Roman Konkani as official language of Goa disclosed that their movement is still in the nascent stage more concentrating on the strengths and commitment of people to the cause.
He said by August this year they should be able to prepare a road map for the movement to include Roman Konkani as an official language of Goa even as members of the Dalgado Konkani Akademi disclosed that their experience was that there was no political will to do this as even Congress MLAs were not willing to move an amendment to that effect.
The meeting convened by Fr. Freddy J da Costa Memorial Trust did decide on some important issues to ensure that Konkani in Roman script attains high standard and that there was uniformity in its literature which is also made popular amongst the people.
In the first place it was decided to conduct courses for Roman Konkani writers and these courses would be conducted under the leadership of noted linguist S M Borges. Those gathered suggested that Dalgado Konkani Akademi pursue their aim of preparing text books for teaching Roman Konkani to those who do not know the language while Borges would prepare the course material for grown up writers.
As it was disclosed that the Dalgado Konkani Academi would start training of writers with a session on 8th April, it was suggested that the same institution take up the task of organizing cells of different interest groups like poets, short story writers, novelists, etc and give them the necessary training.
It was pointed out that every organization has its own rules and guidelines for various awards bestowed by them and hence the need to formulate guidelines for awards and even form a committee for it if necessary was rejected.
It was resolved to organize inter school and inter college competitions in Roman Konkani in different categories to attract the younger generation to the language. Use of social media and even a mobile app was recommended. After much discussion it was decided to target all youth irrespective of their creed and caste.
