the goan I network
MARGAO
Goa University Vice-chancellor Varun Sahani on Monday called upon Konkani protagonists to boldly face the challenges of creating a generation of Konkani people two decades from now.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the 81st Foundation Day of All India Konkani Parishad held at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on Monday. The inauguration programme was followed by a session “Konkani Education KG to PG”.
Sahani said the Goa University has already taken steps to promote the use of Konkani in the University.
“In order to facilitate people, who want to gain proficiency in Konkani, we have started a course at the University. Secondly, Konkani is already in the 8th Scheduled of the Constitution and in order to popularise the language, we have set in motion the process to get investigative journalism in Konkani. The first edition will be launched on August 20,” he added.
The Goa University VC has further underlined the need to create video archives of Konkani by recording the spoken word in Konkani language.
Saying that imparting education in Konkani medium is a big challenge, he said the Goa University has made it a rule for the PhD students to get at least the synopsis of their thesis translated in the local language.
In his address, Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Prashant Naik underlined the need to inculcate reading habits amongst Konkani literature students, which would help take the language to greater heights.
Calling upon the Konkani people and protagonists to do introspection whether Konkani language is on the right track and set out priorities, Prashant also called upon the people to deliberate on the
Konkani speaking people in the neighbouring areas of Karwar and Joida in Karnataka.
“While we observe the 81st Foundation Day of All India Konkani Parishad, many questions have come to haunt the language and its people, the primary question being the lack of reading habits even amongst Konkani literature students after post-graduation,” Naik added.
Earlier, Usha Rane, President All India Konkani Parishad presided over the programme.
