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Mangaluru: Dwindling numbers of Konkani - Mandd Sobhann convenes meeting on Jul 8

  •   Sat, Jun 30 2018 04:51:53 PM

Media Release

Mangaluru, Jun 30: The recently released census figures have shown that Konkani’s numbers, while compared to the 2001 census figures, have reduced by 2,32,513. To discuss on the same issue, a press meet has been convened by Mandd Sobhann on July 8 at Kalaangann.

Do the census figures truly reflect the real strength of the Konkani? Is this situation reflecting the decline and death of Konkani? Who is responsible for this situation? – The government, Konkani people or Leaders of the Konkani Movement? How to redeem Konkani from this situation? Topics like these will be discussed in the meeting.

Mandd Sobhann has requested people who love Konkani and those concerned for its future to attend the meeting.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Kapil Kadam, Karwar/Mumbai

    Wed, Jul 04 2018

    Lets be honest. Lets bridge the Goan-Manglorean Konkani gap. This would be a step in the right direction. The best people to work on this would be TV Mohandas Pai,Girish Karnad,Eric Ozario and Alan Prabhu Machedo who all 4 acknowledge that they are Konkanis with roots in Goa.Ancestral Temple circuit tourism, Zanvoy #1,Esther Norohna tying up with Tiatrists,Mandd Sobhann events in Goa,Manglorean Konkani(kodial) programmes on Goa TV and Radio stations and Vice versa..Goan Konkani programmes. A healthy population exchange in Dubai,London,Goa,Karwar,Bangalore,Mangalore,Mumbai,Canada were both Goans and Manglorean Konkanis should be made aware they share the same Goan Hindu Ancestors. It is sad to know that Karnataka Goan Association until 1978 was Karnataka Konkani Association. But, Gods Grace Manglorean Catholics alongwith few Anglo Indians are KGA members. It is understandable that Goa-Tulunadu relationship goes 300 years back but so does Goa-Mumbai relationship to 1820s and Goa-Karachi relationship to 1840s.Had it not been for Tippu roundup Mr.Saldanha would not have coined Manglorean or Manglorean Catholic it would have been Canara Goans or Munglurkars.
    We Konkanis have been accused of turning blind eye to Tuluvas-the people who gave us refuge so that we dont angry the Kannadigas. But in our diplomacy, we have led Kannadigas to be chauvinistic with their flag and anthem. Their activists have targeted our people in Bangalore in 2013 for having Konkani liturgy. Konkanis go back to Goa. They have targeted Shimoga Church twice,appointment of Manglorean Catholic over Kannadiga Catholics and Konkani liturgy. For not being sons of the soil. Like Enterprising Tuluvas who migrate,Manglorean Konkanis & Goans emigrate for better pastures. Konkani speakers nos increase in Goa is suprising. If census data is untrue and in accurate then merger demand of Karwar should be looked into. Karwari demand is genuine after injustice. We Karwaris read/ write Konkani in Devnagari script

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  • Kapil Kadam, Karwar/Mumbai

    Tue, Jul 03 2018

    As a Konkani let me put this in perspective A great initiative by Mandd Sobhann! An awakening we need to be practical and pragmatic. If we chose to ignore could be final nail in the coffin. So we cant be optimistic or pessimistic.

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  • Dr Mohan Prabhu, LL.D, QC, Mangalore (Kankanady)/Ottawa, Canada

    Sun, Jul 01 2018

    It is sad to see numbers going down of Konkani speakers. Konkani was, is and continues to be my favourite language even after living in the West for close to 60 years. My latest project is to develop a "Teach Yourself Konkani" in 25-30 easy lessons and for this purpose I have collected a large vocabulary both from Maffei Dictionary and GSB Konkani Dictionary, as well as from Goan vocabulary. I do hope to complete this in the next six months, before "passing on". The lessons are to create new interest in those who lost touch with Konkani or children of Konkani speakers who never had a chance to learn.
    May be Mandd Sobhann should join hands with the World Konkani Congress to bring new resources, and not confine itself to religion-based community.

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  • George, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 01 2018

    Rather prefer 'World Konkani Congress' join hands with Maand Sobhan.

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  • Simon Lobo, Chantilly, VA, USA

    Sun, Jul 01 2018

    Personally I have attended and analyzed the news items related to Konkani speaking based people organized summer get-together events or Feast of Nativity in various parts of the world. Most of the activities are conducted in English language, except in few places where Konkani speaking priest is in the area, Konkani mass is held and use of Konkani hymns or prayers is appreciated by attendees.

    Most of the follow-up cultural programs never use a word in Konkani language or most of the attendees have expressed that it is difficult for them to communicate in Konkani language.

    Many of those organizing events in Mangalore or in India for that matter events related to Konkani are mostly same people, who are few and many are no longer interested.

    There were attempts made to assemble and have a national level event based on US based Konkani associations or groups under one banner, several prominent Konkani activist and community leaders, were contacted, no response from anyone as of this date.

    On a different note, there few places in Mangalore sub-urban areas like Permannur church surrounding areas, even though Tulu is a local communication language even among Catholics and was told that even they have prayers in Tulu language, large number of Konkani activists and promoters are visible and are doing a great job, which should be appreciated.

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  • Simon Lobo, Chantilly, VA USA

    Sun, Jul 01 2018

    It is sad that organizations like Mand-Shoban have lost their prominence due to few in the leadership have been involved with anti-religious and using their personal issues or leadership positions in social activities that impacts or hurts the social norm.

    Activist and Konkani Lover & leader like Roy Castelino who is the main donor / promoter of Mand Shoban has given public statement expressing his inability to continue with the organization that he helped to create and organize Konkani events for the last several years. I have personally seen years ago, Roy was promoting Konkani language in schools and helped to build the program in several schools

    Chances of glory days of Mandd Shoban after eight to ten years, once the many of activist or current office bearers are no longer involved in promoting events will be an issue for the organization.

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  • Simon Lobo, Chantilly, Virgina, USA

    Sun, Jul 01 2018

    Konkani is our mother tongue and is very beautiful language. You can communicate respectfully with other or use the Re at the end of the sentence to command or demand from others.

    Many are interested in promoting Konkani in any way or means. As of today, it is still a dream and have hope that my dream will work out, if there is help from many others with interest who have skills and leadership to promote Konkani.
    Our family member, Late AT Lobo is one of the ‘Pancha Pandavars’ in Konkani literature written one of the longest story ever published, Vel Ghadi, printed in five books. As a child, we used to wait for the Ponnari weekly to read the story which lasted two plus years. The family members donated all AT Lobo works to St Aloysius College based Konkani Institute, which resulted in shelves with no further promotion.

    Visits the Konkani Institute was very upsetting and there were no visitors and limited few phone inquiries. Yes, it does require key human and financial resources in these instances, new Director will help us.

    With the help of Trustees of Kavita Trust and specifically Melvyn Rodrigues, there were several successful activities were held and very rewarding experience. Listening to a six year old participant in the February 2018 competition to narrate lyrics was appreciated by attendees.

    The AT Lobo foundation tried and is working on revival of Konkani drama events that w originally held in 1970’s. The help from John Permannur and his team was highly appreciated and was rewarding during the live performance on May 20 2018. There were several challenges, casting issues, and with the help of Dubai based Alwyn Pinto and Lobo family members, it was successful. It is not easy to hold a successful show.

    There are plans for many future events and AT Lobo Foundation seeks help from anyone to promote events in the future. contact foundation contact foundation President Mrs. Alice Lobo in Bijai, Mangalore for further communication.

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  • Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore - Houston/Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

    Sat, Jun 30 2018

    Mandd Sobhann is one of the best Institution that can initiate many methods to promote usage of Konkany language thru various programs and plans that will be able to encourage Konkany community members to utilize their mother tongue on as many occasions as possible.

    Majority of the young men and women of the Konkany community are always encouraged to move away from their native land in search of better jobs and also better living privileges. Once they leave Mangalore most of them are automatically encouraged to use foreign languages and foreign cultures because the Mangaloreans scattered everywhere are just a handful.

    Some new ideas have to be developed in order to encourage the usage of Konkany language either thru constant "get togethers" wherever we are scattered. For instance, we reliably understand that Houston, Texas is planning to stage a Konkany Concert, in August, 2018, for the first time ever in Texas. We also understand that Mangalorean Catholics are also planning to hold the Feast of Nativity in September, 2018. All these gatherings will create an opportunity to promote the language of Konkany and promote various cultural activities that will attract many others who have been maintaining a low profile.

    The web sites such as "Daijiworld" as well as "Konkan Catholic" are also proving to be the "best motivators" in bringing forward various Community highlights. Best of luck to all those who are conscious of our language as well as our culture.

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Title: Mangaluru: Dwindling numbers of Konkani - Mandd Sobhann convenes meeting on Jul 8



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