29/09/2005 To all concerned. This clarification is issued as there are reports, that some select Hindu Brahmins are engaged in a whisper campaign, to state the contrary of what has been stated below:
****************************************************** The lovers of Konkani in Roman script have been consistent in their stand. Konkani in Devanagari script the Official language to continue and a similar demand for Konkani in Roman script. Remember two wheels of a bullock cart alone can move it ; likewise is the case with Konkani in both scripts Devanagari and Konkani in Goa. In Karnataka it could be Kannada and so on The slogan "UNITY IN DIVERSITY OF SCRIPTS" No one desires to undo what was enacted on 4th February 1987. Only a clear DEMAND and its NOW or NEVER ----that the 36 MLA's of Goa Legislative Assembly should IN December 2005 / January 2006 enact and pass an amendment to include Konkani in Roman script which in any case ought to deserve, if not equal, but better preference as an official language, considering it is in use since the 16th century unlike Konkani in the Devanagari script revived by "Shenoi Goembab" in the 20th century. It is also the demand and an OPEN CHALLENGE once again by all Konkani Roman script lovers that 01 ) All those who represented the interest of Goans in the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi General Council for Konkani ---with their evil designs, on 21.11.1981 stating ---that "only the DEVANAGIRI script would be the script for Konkani" should STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT -----now that a wild debate is raging on the conspiracy committed by SOME select Hindu Brahmins much before the language agitation of 1986 under the "garb of maintaining communal harmony " with the Bahujan Samaj Hindus and others; 02 ) Similarly those who fooled the top heirarchy of the Catholic Church viz the then Archbishop of Goa & Daman His Grace, Dr Raul Niclau Gonsalves to accept KONKANI "ONLY" in DEVANAGARI SCRIPT, in the 125 diocesan run schools should similarly stand up and speak out. 03) Finally those who misused the donations sent to the now defunct "Konkani Porjecho Avaz" in 1986 for their own "personal interests" should also speak out now that the cat is out of the bag. It would also be advisable to all those who condemn ---the demand for official language status to Konkani in Roman script, ---- that they should instead of straying away from the main issue ---channelise their energies ----in getting the KONKANI "ONLY" IN DEVANAGARI SCRIPT to respect the verdict of the people of Goa as expressed online and in the local and national media ---for equal treatment to both scripts DEVANAGARI AND ROMAN and support the same. It is also clarified here once again that contrary to the common belieg, that there should be no iota of doubt that every GOAN Hindu Bahujan Samaj (non Brahmin) ACCEPTS KONKANI AS THEIR MOTHER TONGUE be it in Pernem or Canacona (this MAY not include those who migrated to Goa from the State of Maharashtra and adopted Goan surnames linked to villages ) BUT FOR WRTITING, RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PURPOSES use MARATHI and there is nothing wrong in this. There is a general resentment that for too long the Cristao Goenkars allowed their shoulders to be used by some Hindu Brahmins to fire their guns in the same manner that they would pour hot oil in the ears of Hindu Bahujan Samaj not to hear good things or burn their books to deprive them of knowledge thereby their economic empowerment--- this time let it be the other way round and watch the fun. GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9822158584.