NT Reporter
Margao
Speakers at the 1st All India Konkani Literary and Cultural Maha Sammelan said faulty policies of the Sahitya Akademi and the exclusion of Romi Konkani from the Official Language Act were the main reasons for divisions among Konkani-speaking people.
The gathering passed several resolutions, including a unanimous demand that the Sahitya Akademi review its “one language, one policy”, which participants said had harmed the remaining four scripts of Konkani. The Sammelan called for equal respect and rights for all five scripts, on par with Devanagari.
Participants also urged Konkani Bhasha Mandal and Goa Konkani Akademi to recognise the global role of Romi Konkani and take steps to promote it alongside Devanagari. Another resolution demanded that the Goa government permit Roman script Konkani to be taught in schools, noting that Karnataka already allows Konkani to be taught in four scripts.
The Sammelan further called for the existing Sahitya Akademi Advisory Board
to be dissolved and replaced with a new board representing all five Konkani
scripts through nominations from their respective literary bodies.
The event also saw the
adoption of a special Konkani flag as a symbol of unity among Konkani-speaking communities across
the country.
The inaugural ceremony featured the lighting of the lamp by chief guest Valanka Alemao along with Stanny Alvares, Fr Mousinho Athaide, Roy Castelino and Kennedy Afonso. Alemao also released Fulamchi Bhag, a book written by Vincy Quadros.
The Konkani flag, designed by late Eric Ozario, was handed over by Mandd Sobhann president Louis J Pinto to Alemao, who formally accepted it as the flag of the Konkani language.
Three panel discussions were held on Konkani scripts and building unity among Konkani -speaking people.
At the closing ceremony, Hema Sardesai performed “Ami Sogle Ek”, while the Konkani anthem was also released. Several prominent personalities from the Konkani belt were felicitated by Vijai Sardesai.
