PANAJI
Konkani which is Goa's official language got a boost on Friday with the Delhi NCT government decision to set up a Konkani Academy in the national capital.
The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held on Friday and announced by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal via his official handle on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Kejriwal said in his tweet: "Congratulations to all Konkani speaking people and all those who love Konkani language. To promote Konkani language, Delhi Cabinet today approved setting up of a Konkani academy in Delhi.”
The Konkani Academy in Delhi will be the fifteenth such Indian language academy set up by the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government under its Art, Culture and Languages department which is headed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Sisodia said in a statement after the decision: "Goa has a special place in every Indian's heart. Delhi government's Konkani Academy will bring forth the best of authentic Konkani culture to the capital."
The Konkani academy will introduce various awards to promote and reward the good works of people in the Konkani language and culture. The government will also provide language courses through this academy and also celebrate and organize cultural festivals for Konkani speaking people.
AAP, which made a dismal political debut in Goa in the 2017 assembly elections managing just 6.3 per-cent vote share and drawing a blank in terms of seats, has over the last six months made a resurgent political foray in Goa.
In the recently concluded Zilla Parishad elections, the Kejriwal-led party gained significant vote share and scored its first victory winning the Benaulim ZP seat.
