I wish to express my appreciation to the Konkan Railway authorities for finally giving Konkani, the official language and mother tongue of Goa, its rightful place in railway announcements across Goa’s stations. For several years, I had highlighted through articles in The Goan and other English dailies the grievance that announcements of train arrivals, departures, and even bogie numbers were being made third, after Marathi and English. Konkani was either given the least priority or ignored altogether, which deeply hurt the sentiments of Goans. I had personally taken up this issue with the Konkan Railway Head Office at Belapur as well as the Goa office, attaching my published articles and requesting immediate correction. Recently, during a visit to Karmali Railway Station, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that train announcements”including bogie numbers”were being made first in Konkani. This welcome change is a step in the right direction and reflects sensitivity towards Goa’s linguistic identity. Although the change has come late”and could have been implemented right from the start of the Konkan Railway route”it is nevertheless commendable that the authorities have acknowledged the issue and corrected it.
