Stating that Marathi is a rich language and has played an important role in preserving the cultural identity of Goa, Mapusa Municipal councillor and journalist, Tushar Tople said the children are aping the western culture and they are slowly and steadily drifting away from Indian culture.
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PORVORIM
“There is a need to encourage the children to participate in Marathi cultural programme like Marathi dramas, devotional songs, etc,” said Tople while speaking as chief guest at a function organized by Surya Foundation, Porvorim, in association with Gomantak Marathi Academy and Gomantak Marathi Parishad in the premises of Gomantak Marathi Bhavan, Porvorim.
Speaking further, Tople said language is a form of communication and without the language, it is not possible to transmit culture to another generation.
“Hence, all Marathi loving people should come together and work for the progress of Marathi language and preserve the Goan cultural for posterity,” added Tople.
Gomantak Marathi Academy president Sanjay Harmalker said Marathi language has been instrumental in maintaining the cultural continuity of Goans.
“Marathi is widely spoken in Goa, due to which the culture of Goa has remained intact. If a child gets primary education in Marathi medium, it can learn the Konkani language easily, while
children learning in Konkani medium school find it difficult to learn Marathi,” he said.
“Gomantak Marathi Academy is not the property of a few individuals, but it belongs to all Marathi loving people. Hence, all the Marathi lovers should come together and work for the revival of the Gomantak Marathi Academy,” said Harmalker.
Sandeep Manerikar welcomed the gathering and introduced the guests. Prizes to the winners of various competitions organized by Surya Foundation were distributed on the occasion. Meghana Devari compered the programme.
