Says govt cannot deny grants to minority institutions
Former MLA Adv Radharao Gracias inaugurating Global Konknni Forum’s Chauddi programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
MARGAO
Supporting the cause of Roman Konkani in the schools, former MLA Adv Radharao Gracias has on Thursday asserted that Article 29 of the Indian Constitution has empowered the minorities to set up their own educational institutions to protect their interests.
Speaking at the programme ‘Chauddi’ organised by the Global Konknni Forum (GKF) at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Radharao Gracias further said that the State government cannot refuse to provide grants to the institutions on the ground they are minorities.
On the occasion, the Global Konknni Forum has unveiled its road map to take the ongoing movement to the next level in support of the long-pending demand of providing equal status for Konkani in Roman script. “Article 29 of the Indian Constitution guarantees certain rights to the minorities, to set up their own educational institutions to protect their interests. We have no scheme wherein teaching is allowed in the schools in Konkani in Roman script,” he lamented.
He warned the government that the people demanding Konkani in Roman script can go to the court to seek justice if there is no end to discrimination against Konkani in Roman script.
Members also came out in favour of having an Academy to promote Konkani in Roman script in the State.
Radharao further said the Global Konknni Forum can be registered at the Linguistic Minorities Commission and Konkani Romi script schools can be started, for which the government is entitled to give grants. Once this is done, it can be considered that the government has given recognition to Konkani in Roman Script, he added.
Earlier, the Vice President of Literary Committee of Global Konknni Forum Jasmine Rodrigues spelled out the literary works to be undertaken by the Forum, including preparing of text books to be taught in the schools.
Global Konknni Forum’s Cultural Vice President Xavier Mascarenhas spoke on the plans to preserve Goan culture in the form of tiatr, mando, and other forms. He stated that culture is not time pass for Global Konknni Forum.
Mario Pereira, Vice President of Membership Drive Committee stated that the Global Konknni Forum is vigorously working at grassroot level to unite Konkani people having close connections with Roman script. He went on to add that, the Global Konknni Forum has also formed its committees at international level among the Goan Diaspora, to unite people under the umbrella organisation of Global Konknni Forum.
