Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA) - pics - Praveen Tauro

Mangalore, Apr 11: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy captained ably by Eric Ozario has done marvels in the last one year.  But one of its dreams which is yet to be realized is of teaching Konkani in schools.

This dream is all set to be realized from the coming scholastic year.  Though the government has extended its support to introduce Konkani as optional language in schools, how far it will keep up its word is yet to be seen.

But even if the government backtracks from its decision, the academy will never.  The academy has come forward to conduct 40 hours of Konkani classes outside the regular school curriculam.  The academy will shoulder the entire responsibility such as payment to the teachers, stipend to the students who attend these classes etc.  The Konkani classes will be introduced on trial basis in 30 schools spread across 3 coastal districts of Uttar Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada.

The Konkani Campaign Committee (Konkani Prachar Samiti) led by academy president Eric Ozario met Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore to explain him about this project and get his support for this cause.

Speaking on the occasion Bishop said "Konkani is our mother tongue and in our diocese over 4 lac people speak Konkani.  All our religious ceremonies are held in Konkani.  So it is indeed a great pleasure to know that Konkani will be introduced in schools shortly. I extend my support to this wonderful cause."

Academy president Eric then made a request to the Bishop to make an official announcement in this regard.

Following this, the committee met Catholic Board secretary Fr Wilson D'Souza who willingly said that he would extend all possible help and support to this project.

Other than Eric Ozario, academy registrar Duggappa Kajekar, Dr Edward L Nazareth, Louis Pinto, Vincent Alva, Stany Alvares, Narayan Kharvi, Vitori Karkala, Irene Rebello, Stevan Quadros Permude, Charanraj and Aloysius D'Souza were also present on the occasion.