PANAJI
Stating that Konkani binds around 50 lakh-odd people from Raigad-Maharashtra to Kasargod-Kerala, along with those speaking the language throughout the world, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Konkani does not need any certificate from anyone to be an independent language as it is already included in the 8th Schedule of Indian languages.
“Konkani-speaking people have faced atrocities in the past. Despite all these odds, we are marching ahead towards a new era and the litterateurs have a major contribution in this,” said Sawant while addressing the Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad at Malvan.
CM said people living in the coastal belt of the Konkan area are united in language, culture and cuisine. “Though there are various dialects of Konkani like Malvani Konkan, Karwari Konkani, Kerala Konkani and various dialects spoken in Goa, we all look at Konkani with faith. This language binds us,” he said.
“Konkani is an independent language and it is Goa’s official language. It has prominent status as it is included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. There is no need for a certificate from anyone to prove that Konkani is a language and not a dialect,” CM said.
“Now, the world has recognised Konkani and Google has recognised it adding it to its ‘Translate’ list. I congratulate Google for this facility, which is a matter of pride for all Konkani lovers,” he added.
He informed that KG to PG education in Konkani is not only present in Goa but in Kerala as well and now Karnataka has also started it.
Sawant recalled that former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar had presented his budget in Konkani. “Moreover, the Goa Legislative Assembly work had been started in Konkani by then speaker Rajendra Arlekar and after Arlekar, I continued this practice when I served as speaker,” said Sawant.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed on regional languages and we have to stress on these for the preservation of our culture. If local languages like Konkani and Malvani are preserved, only then will our culture be preserved,” Sawant added.
The chief minister said while the State government gives grants to Goa Konkani Academy, Konkani Bhasha Mandal and Marathi Academy, it is up to these institutions to utilise the funds judiciously as the government has no direct control over them and added that the government is ready to offer more financial support.
Emphasising the need to promote the language among children by creating Konkani cartoons, comics, jingles and songs, Sawant said the challenge before the litterateurs is to make the next generation feel proud of Konkani.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude and noted Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo also spoke on the occasion.
