Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (CLP)
Mangalore, Aug 24: With a view to chalk out the roadmap for the future of Konkani, Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (JKS) in association with Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy on Sunday August 24 convened a global conclave for Konkani language planning at Kalaangann here.
The programme began with a Konkani song by children, after which it was inaguarated by chief guest Vishnu Surya Wagh, eminent konkani writer, poet and MLA of St Andre Constituency, Goa, in a unique way by blowing charcoal and lighting 'sude'.
President of Jagotik Konknni Songhotton Tomazinho Cardozo gave a floral welcome to the guests and explained the purpose of the conclave.
Addressing the gathering, Vishnu Surya Wagh said, "The purpose of language is to build bridges and not walls. Konkani language is not a writing language but a language of life. Only those who have vision to see beyond the present times will make the future."
Further he said even though Konkani is spoken in diffrent states all come together and meet in the ocean of Konkani like rivers meet the ocean. He also wished there would be a dictionary consisting of Konkani words from different states. "Roman script is trying to maintain a tradition of 400 years. We are nobody to change the language, it has to be simple and understood by common man. In modern times due to constant speaking of the English language, Konkani is getting sidelined," he said.
Later, Vasant Shetty, columnist and Kannada language activist presented a paper on the importance of language planning in the context of globalization.
Dr Andre Rafael Fernandes, associate professor, Goa university and Konkani researcher presented a paper on 'Need for language planning in Konkani'.
Eric Ozario, secretary general of JKS, Roy Castelino, treasurer, and others were present.
Guadalupe Dias from Goa compered the programme.