Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RS/SP)

Mangalore, Aug 21: “We need to fight for the survival and progress of our language. However, when we fight for the nation, we should sink our linguistic differences and come together and unite, forgetting everything else. At the same time, we should not forget our mother tongue at any cost,”  said Dr Madhava Bhandary, chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authroty, speaking at the  ‘Konkani Manyata Diwas (recognition day)’ programme, organized by Konkani Sahitya Academy at St Aloysius College hall on Thursday, August 20.

Speaking after the inauguration of the celebration, Bhandary called upon the Konkani-speaking communities to be proud of their mother-tongue and asked them not to lag behind in the matter of fighting for the rights of Konkani language. "At the same time, when we speak about the nation, we need to be united. Every one is proud to speak in their mother tongue. Those who speak in their mother tongue naturally get the support of others," he felt.

The ‘Konkani Manyatha Diwas’ is being celebrated, to commemorate the day of inclusion of Konkani language in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution, i.e., August 20,1992.    

K Narayana Kharvi, president of Konkani Sahitya Academy, said in his welcome speech, explained that the Academy had introduced Konkani-teaching in schools with the help of the government. But the language can gain prominence only if those whose mother tongue is Konkani, speak in that language and also support the language, he stressed. “When we compare ourselves with the people of Kerala or Tamilnadu states, we find that they speak in their mother tongue alone, as much as possible. But, sadly, we prefer to speak in some other language, even when the other person knows Konkani. Therefore, the development or spread of Konkani  is in the hands of the Konkani-speaking people. People who speak in their mother tongue as far as possible, can only help the language to reach greater heights, he observed.

Fr Swebert D’Silva, principal of  St Aloysius College, was the chief guest. Irine Rebello, member of the Academy welcomed.  Academy registrar H S Shivarudrappa proposed vote of thanks. Member of the Academy, Puttur  Panduranga Nayak, conducted the programme.

An elocution competition on ‘Konkani Muzhe Mai Bhas, Thi Uronk Amche Prayathn’, was also held on this occasion. Konkani mimicry and singing of poems were also part of the programmes presented at the venue.