PANAJI
A delegation from the ‘Romi Konknni Sonsthancho Ekvott’ (RKSE) recently submitted a memorandum to Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, requesting to accord equal status to Konkani in the Roman script by making a suitable amendment in the Goa Official Language Act.
The delegation was led by former speaker Tomazinho Cardozo, RKSE President Fr Jose Silveira SJ, RKSE Secretary Fr Myron Jeson Barreto, Fr Kelwin Monteiro SJ and Pio Esteves (RKSE members).
After presenting the memorandum, Tomazinho briefed the governor about the crucial role played by the people of Goa who have traditionally been writing their mother tongue Konkani in the Roman script.
Recounting the support extended by this section of Goans during the Opinion Poll and the Language Agitation and the sacrifices they made, Cardozo reminded the governor that great injustice was done when a ‘definition of Konkani’ was introduced in the Goa Official Language Act, 1987 which states that ‘Konkani means Konkani language written in the Devanagri script’.
Cardozo requested the support of the Governor for the need to undo this injustice by making the necessary amendment in the Goa Official Language Act.
The governor gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured to examine the contents of the memorandum.
