The second day of the two day 1st Konknni (Roman script ) Sahitya and Sonsvskruti Sommelon ended today at the Pai Tiatrist nagar with six major resolutions passed unanimously by the over 357 delegates that attended the concluding session : a) recognition to Roman script in the Official language Act by bringing an amendment b) Sahitya Academy New Delhi to consider giving all facilities to Konknni in Roman script as extended to other languages c) Goa Konknni Academy should revive the old practice ,since discontinued to consider awards for works in Konknni in Roman script d) All government laws and publications gazettes should be made available in Konknni Roman script as well e) State Government should pursue the issue of restoration of mutiliated Konknni vinyl records of Konknni artistes with All India Radio both at Mumbai and Goa with the Central Government to save these gramophone records for posterity; f) Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to instruct various churches in Goa to give full encouragement to promotion of Konknni in Roman script Speaking at the concluding session this evening Mr Churchill Alemao Minister for PWD reiterated his demand for grant of official language status to Konknni in Roman script by amending the Act 1987. He stated in clear terms that it was the late PM Mr Rajiv Gandhi who had conceded to this demand but it was Uday L Bhembre who betrayed the Konknni devanagari protoganists by inserting Konknni means “in devanagari” script in OLA 1987 . He also appealed to Goan Tiatrists to unite for one could achieve a lot through unity. He acknowledged the fact that Konknni tiatros as a performing arts was well received by the Goans and therefore this could be used to turn the tables against those opposing its introduction and propping up the canard of demand for Marathi. Earlier in the day the presentation of papers on Kotha and Kadambori by Bonaventure D Pietro Kovita by Panadarinath Lotlikar Lekh/Lolit Borovp by Dr (Fr ) Victor Ferrao received a huge response by way of questions from the young Konknni writers poets and others . This interaction session put up many queries which the moderator Shri Tomazinho Cardozo helped to clear the doubts. His deep knowledge on these issues with the able assistance of Pietro Lotlikar and Ferrao was well received by the audience. The presence of youth in large numbers from all over the State gave a sign of encouragement to Konknni movement which will inspire the organisors and DKA Later post lunch session Konknni Somaz Konknni Bhaxek kitlo Lagim Kitlo Pois saw some well researched papers on Xikxonn by Prof Newman Fernandes Tiatrache Yogdan Mr Wilson Mazarello Tornnate Fr Conceicao D Silva Prof Newman Fernandes ex Principal St Xaviers College and now with the Allahabad Agricultural Institute a deemed University in UP made some interesting points .a) that developing nations prospered because 75 % of those that went to school pursued higher education which in the case of China grew to 15% but in India it was a dismal 5%. This is worse in Goa because youth in the coastal belt do not pursue education but are happy with hospitality industry jobs on land or overseas. This vacuum gets filled by outsiders. Institutions of higher education in Goa have shortages of seats. His proposal was for Goa to have a Research Insitute for Konknni to promote the language. He indirectly admitted that it was the wrong policy of the Government in 1990 -91 to pursue the language policy which introduced Konknni in devanagari script which has resulted in the difficulties faced by the youth during the transition from class IV to V but seemed happy with English as a subject being introduced to mitigate this problem.since last year. Mr Wilson Mazarelo pursued the issue to make the Konknni tiatr an industry to make it viable. When a delegate posed the question of the contribution of tiatr directors to have written scripts documented he agreed that this was a valid point and that those from the tiatr fraternity should pursue this issue. Fr Conceicao D Silva expressed his displeasure with the present generation for promoting English instead of Konknni . He was pleased to inform that in France UAE USA Israel etc all countries promoted Konknni language in liturgical services and he was pleased to introduce iKonknni in Roman script in some countries. Dr Nandkumar Kamat was at his best moderating the deliberations. His repository of knowledge on any subject under the sun and more so in matters relating to the State were worth and earned the commendation from the delegates. There were bouts of cantaram comedy songs by upcoming and professional singers like Anthony San, Bai Clarissa Francis Pinto Nazario Pinto Jr Simla and Antim . A special performance by Menezes Theatres with Lawry Travasso (Melody King) Comedy by Sheikh Amir songs by Rosy Alvares Mario Menezes and Edison/Joana regaled the audience. Being the birthday of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes – his daughter in law Ms Ana Maria Carolina Quadros Fernandes who was present with grand daughter Sharmila Fernandes and other family members, was presented a special bouquet by the President of Dalgado Konknni Akademy Mr Premanand Lotlikar. Later a play Tandllanchem Kestanv written by Pai tiatrist on 3rd March 1945 was staged in his memory by noted Konknni playwright from Chandor Mr Anilkumar . Prefixing the tiatr the audience sang “Happy Birthday” and the Chief Guest Mr Churchill Alemao placed a bouquet at the portrait of Pai Tiatrist which adorns the 1150 ac auditorium named after him at Ravindra Bhavan Margao. Dr Francisco Colaco sang an Alfred Rose composition which was well recieved by the audience and a repeat performance found him receiving a thunderous applause. Unfortunately the protoganists of Konknni in Devanagari script were no where in sight which clearly exposed their ONE LANGUAGE ONE SCRIPT IDEOLOGY and this became the turning point for the votaries of Konknni in Roman script to pursue their goal with further enthusiasm. The intentions of the Government of Goa to the language issue will be witnessed in a few days when the post of President of Goa Konknni Akademy is finalised. According to insiders N Sivdas is tipped to be the new incumbent and this is true the pro Devanagari lobby would have succeeded in having their Man Friday at the helm of affairs admitting thus the double speak of the coalition Government . Though the organisors could claim the success of the Convention it is time they leave the nitty gritty of event management to specialists to make a better success in future as certain flaws earned could have been avoided. >From the Pai Tiatrist hall
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [email protected] Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/
