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Remembering Aquino Braganca (b. 6 April 1924), who fought for freedom
of the former Portuguese colonies in Africa. An online tribute
http://aquinobraganca.wordpress.com/ (includes many historical
references, some photographs and documents)
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Impact of the Official Language Act of Goa
By Tomazinho Cardozo
This is my second part of response to the rejoinder of S. M. Borges (posted by
him on 24th March, 2009) to my article "Endangered Languages". This article
deals with the adverse affect of the Official Language Act (OLA) of Goa on the
followers of Konkani in Roman script.
S. M. Borges and his likes often say that the question of any adverse effect of
OLA on any body does not arise because the Act is not yet implemented. Yes, I
am aware of the fact that the OLA is not implemented yet it continues to do
injustice to the followers of Konkani in Roman script. Some of the examples are
listed here below:
i. After the passing of the OLA of Goa, the Government of
Goa established Goa Konkani Akademy (GKA). The goal of the GKA, as stated it
its constitution, is the development of 'Konkani language' and not of 'Konkani
in Devnagori script'. This GKA, from its inception to 2005, has spent crores of
rupees on the development of Konkani in Devnagori script only except in 1992,
two books in Roman script were published on the occasion of Tiatr centenary.
Manuscripts in Roman script were not even considered pointing to the fact that
OLA defines Konkani as Konkani written in Devnagori script. It is only because
of the agitation of the lovers of Konkani in Roman script, MLAs had to pass a
resolution in the Goa Assembly compelling the Government and the GKA to promote
Konkani in Roman script also. Hence GKA promotes Konkani in Roman script too
since 2005.
ii. Observe the persons who occupied the chair of the
President of GKA. The term of the President of GKA is of three years. Late
Purshotom Kakodkar ( 3 terms), Adv. Uday Bhembre ( 2 terms), Pundalik Naik ( 2
terms) and now N. Shivdas. All are protagonists of Devnagori script. Even the
post of Vice- President was not offered to any of the supporters of Konkani in
Roman script. All vice- Presidents also were from the Devnagori lobby.
iii. As new Presidents were appointed on 7 occasions, General
Councils of GKA were also constituted 7 times. Except the term 2005 - 2008, all
previous General Councils of GKA had one or two followers of Konkani in Roman
script. Remaining ten to eleven were all from Devnagori lobby.
iv. In order to run the administration of GKA, it has appointed
accountants, clerks, drivers, peons and other staff. Among them there is not
even one who can write few sentences in Roman script. They all are the
supporters of Devnagori lobby.
v. Kala Akademy of Goa which was giving literary awards to
books in Konkani in Roman script stopped as soon as OLA was passed. This was
done at the request of Kala Akademy's Advisory Committee for Literature which
includes persons like Uday Bhembre, Damodar Mauzo, and others.
vi. Government also established Directorate of Official
Language. It has an Advisory body. Look at the composition of that Advisory
Body. 80 to 85% of the members are lovers of Devnagori script and the remaining
15 to 20% are the supporters of Roman script. The committee constituted last
year only has about 30% members from the Roman script lobby.
vii. Let us analyze the composition of the Advisory committee
for Konkani of Sahitya Akademy, New Delhi. There too same manipulation
continues. In a body of 10 members only one is selected from the supporters of
Raman script.
viii. Other Government or semi-government departments in which one
can get a job due to Konkani language and Konkani culture are: Art & Culture
Department, Kala Akademy, Doordarshan, All India Radio, etc. Hundreds of jobs
were created and staff appointed. Not even 10% are protagonists of Konkani in
Roman script.
ix. There are various schemes of the government. If one
analyzes the list of beneficiaries, one come across the same formula - over 90%
are supporters of either Konkani in Devnagori script or Marathi.
If this is the state of affairs when the OLA is not implemented, one can
visualize the destructive effect of OLA on the followers of Konkani in Roman
script if at all it is implemented.
This act has ruined the prospects of followers of Konkani in Roman script
culturally, literally and economically. Therefore I am of the strong view that
OLA of Goa should never be implemented.
I would request my good friend Mr. Borges to prove me wrong as far as the above
mentioned facts are concerned.
