MARGAO
While fighting to undo the “injustice” meted out to Konkani in Roman script in the Official Language Act (OLA), the Global Konknni Forum has planned to carry out its work as part of its objectives and give impetus to the ongoing script movement.
At a recently held meeting, the Global Konknni Forum formed several committees: Literary Committee, headed by Jasmine Rodrigues; Cultural Committee, headed by Luis Xavier Mascarenhas (Xavier de Maina); Membership Drive Committee, headed by Cruz Mario Pereira; Overseas Representatives Committee, headed by Domnic Fernandes; and Legal Affairs Committee, under the Forum’s President, Antonio Alvares.
Keeping in mind the NEP, GKF Secretary Salvador Fernandes stated that the Literary Committee will focus on preparing much-needed academic learning materials in the Konkani Roman script for schools, starting from the 1st standard.
The committee will also work on developing different literary genres in the Roman script, alongside other linguistic
works.
“Since language and culture go hand-in-hand, the Cultural Committee will organise cultural programmes in villages to raise awareness and garner support for the cause of Konkani in Roman script, while simultaneously protecting and promoting Goa’s cultural heritage,”
he said.
To strengthen the Konkani movement in Roman script, the Membership Drive Committee will work on enrolling members in Goa and Goans living in neighbouring states, especially those who find the cause of the Roman script dear to their hearts.
In order to be truly global, Salvador said the Overseas Committee will select representatives from the Goan diaspora worldwide, forming a network of dedicated people under the banner of the Global Konknni Forum.
“Since the OLA in 1987 was passed with Devanagari as its official script, the Roman script was deliberately kept out through a conspiracy by Nagari proponents for their selfish motives. The Forum’s Legal Affairs Committee will prioritise working on the legal aspects to get justice for the Roman script and lay the groundwork to approach the courts,” he added.
