Making a case for Romi Konkani

Churchill makes a case for Romi Konkani
22 Dec 2008, 0348 hrs IST, TNN/The Times of India


MARGAO: Minister for public works and development (PWD) Churchill Alemao on Sunday made a strong case for the inclusion of Konkani in the Roman script as the official language of the state. "Children of the backward classes like Velips, Kunbis and Gawdas will immensely benefit if Konkani in the Roman script is compulsorily taught to them, at least in the primary classes. This will help them to easily adapt to English medium schools as they would have already been familiar with the script (Roman alphabets)," Alemao said.

The minister was addressing the gathering at the concluding session of the first Romi Konkani culture and literature conference, organized by the Dalgado Konkani Akademi (DKA) at Margao on Sunday. Voicing concern over the "imminent obliteration" of Goa's identity if Roman Konkani is not accorded the official language status, Alemao lamented the growing affinity of the Goans to the English language which he said was harming the interest of their mother-tongue.

Lauding the tiatrists for "striving to keep Roman Konkani alive in the hearts of Goans," Alemao urged the tiatrists fraternity to stay united for the cause of Goa's identity. "If all the tiatrists shed their differences and stay united, it won't be long before Roman Konkani achieves the status of Goa's official language," he stated. Earlier, the DKA adopted various resolutions in support of Konkani in the Roman script. The resolution demanding Konkani in Roman script be accorded official language status along with Devnagri script, ranks high among the list of resolutions adopted.