the goan I network
MARGAO
Hitting at the politics of defections in the state, noted Konkani writer Dilip Borkar on Saturday said that only Konkani language can save and protect Goem and Goemkarponn, even as he made a fervent plea to the Konkani speaking people of Goa to shed their differences and unite for the greater good of the state.
Speaking at the annual Gulab award ceremony at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Saturday, Borkar reminded the people that Goemkars had in the past fought for the liberation of Goa from the Portuguese rule and had later joined hands to retain Goa’s distinct identity during the Opinion poll.
“If you see the political defections in the state and the elected representatives treating their election as investment and business, the time has now come for both Hindus and Catholics to come under the banner of Konkani language to save Goa for posterity,” he said.
He said Goans may use Devnagari or Romi script, but added that people should ensure that people use Konkani in their day to day affairs, even while corresponding with the village sarpanch.
“We fought so many battles in the past on the banner of Konkani. And, only Konkani will save Goa and Goemkarponn for posterity,” he added.
Borkar showered praises on the Senior Administrative Officer Michael D’Souza, saying he deserves the Gulab Personality of the Year for his outstanding work over the years, adding “we want officers such as Michael to protect Goa from destruction.”
In his brief address, D’Souza decided to dedicate his award to all the sincere government servants in the Goa Civil service.
Renowned senior tiatrist Josephine Dias was honoured with the ‘Gulab Tiatrist Award’ while noted Konkani writer Vincy Quadros was awarded the ‘Gulab Writer of the Year’.
The awardees were honoured at a special public function held in collaboration with Konkani Bhasha Mandal and Felicio Cardoso-che Pattlavdar Trust at Ravindra Bhavan, Black Box to commemorate the 66th birth anniversary of Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, the founder editor of Gulab.
