Protect Konkani, Goans exhorted

 

A convention of World-wide Goan exhorted Goans across the world to protect thier culture and mother tongue — Konkani. It also urged to harness young talents.

The day-long international convention held at Kala Academy here backed the state government-sponsored NRI Cell established at Economic Development Corporation and assured to keep in touch with the non-resident Goans to resolve their problems through the NRI cell.

Internationally-acclaimed Goan architect, Mr Charles Correa was the chief guest, while the noted Konkani poet and French scholar, Dr Manoharrai Sardessai and the delegate of Fundacao Oriente, Mr Fernando Colaco, were the guests of honours. The state legislative assembly Speaker, Mr Pratapsing Rane, presided over the inaugural session.

Mr Correa observed that Goa had witnessed change due economic development undertaken during the last 40 years. Nevertheless, it had maintained its characteristics distinguishing itself from other indian states. He advised Goans to be vigilant in protecting its environment and should not allow Goa losing its charms.

He warned Goans against the real estate and land development activities and added that land was being sold to Mumbai developers. He urged Goans to identify areas for conservation and remarked that some of the beautiful houses had been existing even before the conquest by Portuguese.

Dr Sardessai said the mind and soul of non-resident Goans were always in Goa. Those who were unable to visit Goa create a mini-Goa at the places of domicile, he observed.

The veteran poet said there cannot be a Goan without knowing Konkani language and anybody who does not know to speak Konkani cannot be considered as Goan at all. Dr Sardessai said there were in all 1,500 languages in India and Konkani occupies 24th position in the country and therefore Konkani had attained the status of a national language and no more just a regional language.

Mr Rane highlighted qualities of Goans and stressed the need to protect old architecturally important houses. The great quality of Goans is, “live and let live,” Mr Rane stated.

The Speaker said the no-resident Goans could play a great role in giving advance information about the things going on around them.

During the afternoon session Mumbai-based Goan writer, Mr George Menezes, delivered a talk on Goan humour. Mr Menezes said that humour had roots in Goan ethos and Goans had a good sense of humour not only to laugh at others but also at themselves, which he said was a litmus test for human sanity.

In the second discussion that was held on Goa’s environment and chaired by environmentalist, Dr Nandakumar Kamat, pointed out that the major problems in the state were urbanisation, environmental degradation and depletion of bio-diversity. He urged for better public policies and the proper implementation of the same so that the people as well as the environment would be benefited.

Speaking on the issue of Goan identity and culture, Mr Mathany Saldanha, an environmentalist and member of the Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott, said that casteism had penetrated into Goan ethos and stressed the strong need to protect Konkani.

Mr Saldanha opined that natural heritage of the state had to be protected from developmental works. He stressed the need for proper and organised economic development of the state.

Mr Aires Rodrigues said the sate government would be urged to act decisively in resolving the long-pending grievances of non-resident Goans and hoped that the Non-Resident Facilitation Centre set up by the state government recently would work towards redressing thier grievances.

Konkani litterateur, Chandrakant Keni, who is also the NRFC chairman, was felicitated for his role in highlighting the problems of NRIs.

Ms Maria Lourdes F de Albuquerque, a delegate from Portugal dwelt upon the various problems faced by Goans and Goan youth in particular and reasons as to why they emigrate.

Mr Emmanuel D’Silva of the World Bank, Washington, advised that Goa should also take cues from from the East and cited China as a model, whereby expatriate Chinese send remittances to boost the home economy. Mr John De Sa of the Goan Overseas Association in Qatar opined that people were ready to invest in Goa but there had been a need of an organisational body.

MR & NHT