MEETING FOR ROMI KONKANI IN KUWAIT.
KONKNNI BHAS AMCHI MAI BHAS ANI TICH BHAS ZAUNK ZAI RAJ BHAS. This slogan
when coined its echo was reverberated in the Gulf in general and Kuwait in
particular. Kuwaitkars amongst the entire expatriate Goans spread all
around the world took greater responsibility to support the cause of Konkani
because the cause of Konkani is the cause of Goa and those who claim to be
Goans are duty bound to support the cause of Konkani. One of the reasons
for the recognition of Konkani and thereby gaining statehood for Goa was the
strong support lent to Konkani cause by the Kuwait Goans. For the cause of
Konkani Kuwait Goans are always awake and that they are awake was once again
proved on 21st of this month at 8.00 p.m. in one of the city hotels where
they held a meeting to support the cause of Romi Konkani. This meeting was
called by KUWAIT KONKNNI KENDR to show their solidarity with their Romi
Konkani supporters and fighters in Goa. It was unanimously agreed by all
those who attended this meeting that Goa Government must amend the language
act to give equal status to Roman script Konkani as well. Now the next issue
will be ROMI KONKNNI AMCHI MAI BHAS ANI NAGRI SANGATA TI-I BI ZAUNK ZAI
GOYCHI RAJ BHAS. We need simple Konkani as we speak in our day to day life
and not the sanskritik Konknni with full of Maratik influence as it is
propounded by few Hindu Saraswats who are trying to impose on us something
which we cannot accept. For the cause of Konkani only the Roman script
Konknnivadis suffered martyrdom, there was not a single Nagrivadi martyr.
Lakhs of rupees as donations sent from Kuwait by the Romivadis only. Since
Kuwaitkars played such a mighty role in the recognition of Konkani as
official language of Goa, now Kuwait Goans cannot remain as silent
spectators when the events are taking place in Goa in support of Romi script
Konkani. We Romivadis are not denying recognition for Nagri script Konkani,
we are not asking to withdraw the recognition of Devangri script. No, it is
not our demand. Our demand is equal recognition for Romi script Konkani
also and to do this is not impossible. Elesewhere dual script is in
existence. The Romi voters from Salcette and elsewhere who elected their
MLAs now inject heavy pressure on their MLAs to pilot and support the
amendment bill in Goa Legislative Assembly for giving equal status to Romi
Konknni also. The Christao MLAs are sleeping in Goa, their voters must wake
them now thuis was the view of the people who attended this meeting.
The meeting on Wednesday 21st of this month was attended by Goans from
different clubs and segments. The Chief guest was Carmo Santos the
president of Goan Welfare Society who along with his wife occupied the main
chairs at the dias along with guests speakers Manuel de Santa Cruz, Santana
Afonso president Entertainment Club and KKKs president Elvino Elvino
Rodrigues. The others who spoke were Luis Cardoso of KKK and Alexandre
Fernandes the president of Colva. A.Veronica Fernandes compeered the
proceedings. All the speakers including the chief guest strongly supported
the issue of Romi Konkani and demanded from Goa Government equal recognition
for the Roman script Konkani. It was also agreed by all during the meeting
that at this stage Goans settled down in the west must also come out with
strong support for the cause of Roman script Konkani. Alexandre Fernandes
in his speech regretted the silence of West settled Goans for the cause of
Konkani. Even all the attendees agreed on this point because we all know
that during the language agitation in Goa besides Gulf Goans no Western Goan
support came. Alexandre and Manuel de Santa Cruz lauded the efforts of
Kuwait Goans to give a lead now for the cause of Romi Konkani and expressed
their hope that Goans from other places in the Gulf and Goans from West will
follow the example of their brothers and sisters in Kuwait. Besides them,
other speakers too applauded KKK for taking bold initiatives and decisions
to support the cause of Konkani. It has to be noted that Kuwait Goans are
always on forefront for the good cause of Goa, Konkani cause taking
priority. KKK has given the lead but other clubs and organizations
functioning in the name of Goa and Goans with prefixes and suffixes, as Goa
and Goans must also show their solidarity with this cause otherwise what is
the use of naming their clubs and associations after Goa? Alexandre has
promised to call a meeting of his Club to show solidarity with this cause.
Other Kuwait Goan Clubs are also expected to follow and if any assistance is
required, KKK is there for help. This is the right time for us expatriate
Goans to stand by our brothers by supporting this genuine cause of Romi
Konkani. Let this cause be the cause of every Kuwait Goan and every Kuwait
Goan association and not of KKK only. Let every Kuwait Goan be the
spokesman of Romi Konkani so too every Kuwait Goan association. Let not the
cause of Konkani and especially of Romi script Konkani be the cause of KKK
only, it should of everyone Goan and every Goan association.
During the meeting copies of the book SONGIT DOULOT GOENKARANCHI written by
Bonaventure DPietro was distributed for all the attendees free of charge.
These copies were purchased by KKK from Bonaventure. While distributing
this book it was announced by KKK that being such a rich and historical book
it is not getting award from Sahitya Academy because SA does not recognize
Romi script. Incidentally even any scrap written in Nagri script is awarded
top prize. This is the tactic of Saraswat Hindu Brahmins to ignore
Romivadis who are all Christians. Tru language issue the Nagrivadis in
collaboration with Marathivadis are trying to demolish Christian influence
in Goa. Alexandre Fernandes also demanded in his speech total support from
Goa Church for Romi Konkani. All others in the hall also echoed this view
saying that at this stage Church cannot remain silent spectator. Nagrivadis
and Rane Government are anti Christians. By imposing Nagri and by denying
Romi its rightful place, Nagrivadis are playing communal role. Church
should support Romi cause openly otherwise it will be too late by then
Christians will be totally demolished in Goa.
KKK voluntarily on its own promised Rs. 25,000/- as donation to Dalgado
Konkani Academy which is spearheading the Romi cause. During the meeting
the Draft made in favour of DKA for the mentioned amount was shown to the
gathering. This Draft will be now sent to DKC.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
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