The other side of MoI: Konkani hardest hit in parents’ choice
Konkani fighters blame politics and MGP for the fall of Konkani
By Suraj Nandrekar
Parents’ choice Inst. Students English Marathi Konkani Kanada Hindi
Telgu Aided 35235 27878 5891 1466 - - - Govt 31308 1679 25868 1036 1488
223 13 Total 66543 29557 31759 2502 1488 223 13 % - 46.31 49.76 3.92
2.23 0.33 0.01 Note: *( This does not include the number of students who
study in the English medium in private unaided schools) SURAJ NANDREKAR
suraj@ herald- goa. com PANJIM: They fought together under the banner of
BBSM for the “ protection of the mother tongue and regional languages”.
However, with the parents’ choice out and with an embarrassing 3.92 p.
c. of students opting for Konkani as the MoI ( a shade higher than
Kannada), Konkani protagonists have seen red.
Konkani stalwarts, who are a part of the agitation of the BBSM, led by
former MGP chief minister Sashikala Kakodkar, blame the MGP for
throttling Konkani.
*** *** *** *** PARENTS' CHOICE *** *** ***
Inst. Students English Marathi Konkani Kanada Hindi Telugu
----- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ----- ------
Aided 35235 27878 5891 1466 - - -
Govt 31308 1679 25868 1036 1488 223 13
Total 66543 29557 31759 2502 1488 223 13
% - 46.31 49.76 3.92 2.23 0.33 0.01
Note: This does not include the number of students who study in the
English medium in private unaided schools
One of Goa’s biggest Konkani stalwarts Uday Bhembre was vehement in
criticism of the MGP. "Konkani was introduce as MoI in 1962 but the MGP
never wanted this language as it favoured Marathi and hence it did not
support the language", he said adding "even 24 years after the official
Act was passed in 1987 there is no implementation".
"Konkani has been a victim of politics. Some institutions also have
issued the language only to get grants from Government but never wanted
it in reality", he said.
Bhembre says though the language has made rapid progress at various
levels it has failed to get parents support at primary education.
"Konkani is growing and gaining strength at various levels like
literature, drama etc and use of Konkani is increasing everywhere. There
are more students opting for Konkani in optional subject after fourth
standard at high school and university level than any other", he continued.
Matanhy Saldanha, who was one of the key person during Konkani
agitation, says "Official communication in every other State is in
official language but here the situation is different. The Government
should have immediately implemented it in 1987 itself only then the
parents would have sent their wards to the Konkani medium schools", he said.
Goa Konkani Akademi President N Shivdas adds, "even in the 50th year of
our liberation we don't have a education policy and that is a shame".
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