Arwin Mesquita makes very good points.
Konkani itself will be irrelevant if Goa is overwhelmed by people who
speak other languages. The question of Romi or Konkani will not even
arise.
In this context, I am sorry to say that even in Konkani conferences
not much thought is given to these things. For instance, we need
to generate market for konkani. We need to prepare software so that
people can write konkani on their computers. I had given a number
of suggestions including making deals with hotels wherein if a tourist
asks for a room in Konkani, give him/her 10% discount. The govt. only
spends money on an annual conference. There is much more that can be done
for konkani, including coming up with booklets for tourists to learn
konkani. I am sure lots of tourists would be interested. We need to
think from a market point of view.
Secondly, the sad part about Goans who migrate is that they generally
dont think beyond doing jobs. We Goans need to think beyond doing jobs
and of becoming entreprenuers. Jobs are created by entreprenuers and not
by other jobbies. We Goans have been lagging in this respect, that is
why it is the Gujaratis and other migrants who come to Goa and make
it big.
It is time the govt. encourages small businesses, and Goans who get into
business, and not just depend on mining which is an environmentally
criminal venture.
regards,
Samir
