MOI IS HOGGING LIMELIGHT This issue has been debated ad nauseum, but refuses to go away. Temporary solutions based on electoral expediencies have had no permanent solutions., Many States of India have now realized the potential of English medium and accordingly encouraged its usage. In Goa the languages are Marathi, English, Konkanni and Urdu. No such reciprocal gesture is shown to Knokanni in Devanagri script in any state of India. Marathi has been spoken and used for religious services and number of Marathi publications is by large in numbers, It does not conclude that all Goans alone subscribe to these periodicals. On the other hand konkanni dailies are nonexistent, except for some weeklies, motley periodicals , but konkanni in Roman script is exclusively for religious purposes. But on the other hand look at the proliferation of Konkanni dramas, CD`s, VCD`s that have a flourishing business
The number of Marathi secondary schools in Goa are a legend .How many Konkanni medium schools can be counted in Goa of a definitive standard.,Konkani medium schools in Goa made an advent not for any particular ideology, but because the management were forced to pay teachers the recommended salary and which was possible only through full salary grants by switching over. The teachers were most unprepared for the switch over, but nobody cared. What is the reason for Marathi schools closing down annually at an alarming rate ? Further all sorts of benefits are exclusively extended as a bait to students in Govt. primary schools and it has failed miserably. Why the patronage and allegiance is shifted. The slide is not arrested in spite of Govt announcements of sops at the rate of Rs 400/ per child p.m. Besides the Govt had announced substantial developments funds for such schools and the scheme is now abandoned for lack of response In 450 years of foreign rule, domination and persecution, Konkanni language managed to survive the onslaught, only because of the religious support and tiatrists, who kept its head above from sinking from the turbulent waters of discrimination ,relegated as the language of cooks and butlers. There was no devangri script for its survival and continuation and in some States Konkanni is resilent in different scripts BBSM is going hammer and tongs with the aim of denying grants to English medium schools, as if the grants for REGIONAL LANGUAGES is totally contributed by only one section promoting the cause. Some misguided individuals under the garb of minority representatives are supporting and aligning with these communal elements. Are they only loud speakers or else intending to open Konnkani medium schools or they want someone else to do it ? Are Marathi protagonist lending real help to start Konkanni medium schools .The poor and marginalized have understood the worth and are enrolling in private schools at an enormous financial sacrifice. On the other hand the Vocals of BBSM are proficient and educated in English including their wards and the establishments of schools. The MOI is an political football, with politicians lending tacit support when needed and then slumbering over the time . BBSM a motley, prominent few have enjoyed political patronage at the highest level that emboldens them to make loud noises. The politicians are masters of summer salts taking cabinet decision, assuring protesters on hunger strike of legislation and now back to square one more with new committee to buy time The gospel and infallible truth of Unesco for immemorial times is a fallacy on regional languages and its absolute efficacy has not undergone any transformation over the years related to regions in different parts of the globe. Is the Govt that encourages proliferation of private English Medium schools doing anything to enforce its policies on Medium of instructions, or rather destroying the purpose? The student population in minority institutions has to be verified to show that it is not entirely inclusive The resource and standard learning, reference material in Konkani is a far cry, especially in Science and mathematics subjects The Konkani writers have a captive market of Govt support, School libraries. I have still to appreciate the scholars at SSCE with 90%plus marks hardly ever buy, read and gift konkanni books .The KONkanni language needs to be standardized as different Talukas have their own versions Remember in 450 years rule of Portuguese there was Roman script that allowed the survival of the language against all odds. To day Konkani along with Marathi is a subject in schools, but how many non minority schools offer the a facility of Konkanni as the subject ? Beside Hndi is a compulsory subject at school level and talking of the script is more than sufficient to interact with so called Indian languages The Govt should take up the challenge of BBSM and to show that there strength will not at all alter the apple cart and fortunes of BJP The results will show how the minorities have tilted in their favour in the last elections and which made them victorious. On the contrary the minority strength can make much more difference and may not be underestimated, if the issues are not resolved and promises fulfilled in time now. The BBSM with their threats will stand exposed and isolated Stand and fight elections on your purpose and win like Kejrival In Delhi to show relevance. Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
