President of newly-formed Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan Kennedy Afonso addressing the media on the objectives of the new organisation.
MARGAO:
Days after resigning from the Global Konknni Forum over differences, Kennedy Afonso and others have launched the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) to push for equal status for Konkani in Roman script. The GRLA, headed by Kennedy as president, includes Joaquim Faleiro (Vice President), Michael Jude Gracias (Secretary), Ansh Bandedkar (Treasurer), and 12 executive members.
Registered under the Societies Act on January 16, coinciding with Opinion Poll Day, Kennedy stated that GRLA aims to unite Konkani speakers and associations to secure Roman script’s rightful place in the Official Language Act. He emphasised the importance of combating discrimination by uniting all Konkani scripts.
Kennedy highlighted efforts to unify Konkani associations, including meetings with Eric Ozario in Mangalore, leading to collaboration among three Konkani organisations (Maand Sobhann, Poetica, and Karnataka Lekhak Sangh). Plans for a historic Maha Sabha in Goa, bringing all five Konkani scripts together, were sabotaged by internal opposition within the Global Konknni Forum.
Kennedy criticised some members for obstructing invitations to prominent Konkani associations, derailing the Maha Sabha. He stressed the need for an inclusive movement to advance the Roman script cause and called on Goans, Konkani lovers, and associations worldwide to join GRLA.
The GRLA is non-political but welcomes support from political parties and individuals. Kennedy urged legislators to amend the Official Language Act in the Assembly session on February 6, 2025, to permit Roman script as an option for teaching Konkani in schools.
