SUPPORTING ROMI SCRIPT KONKANI.

PRESS CONFERENCE JOINTLY ORGANIZED BY

DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI,
JAGOTIK KONKNNI SONGHOTTON,

ROMI LIPI ACTION FRONT AND TIATR ACADEMY GOA

1.          This has reference to the Press Conference given by Goa Konkani Academy (GKA) yesterday (23.09.2013) and to the numerous faulty statements made by Shri Pundalik Naik, President of GKA.

2.          It is unfortunate to observe that a literary institution like GKA is opposed to giving awards to Konknni in Romi script. This only proves the selfish attitude of promoting Devnagari script by destroying the Romi script in Goa. They tried to do so in the past and failed miserably.

3.          These four organizations namely, Dalgado Konknni Akademi, Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (Global Konknni Organisation), Romi Lipi Action Front and Tiatr Academy Goa strongly support the decision taken by the Chairman of Kala Academy and Hon’ble MLA of St. Andre Constituency, Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh for giving separate literary award not only to Konknni in Romi script but also for books in English and in other regional languages written by Goans. In fact this decision must be hailed by all the persons of literature because Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh has recognized the literary creativity not only in Konknni and Marathi but also in other languages used by Goans.

4.          GKA has not projected factual position of literary awards as far as Goa Kala Academy is concerned. Goa Kala Academy has been awarding literary awards to Konknni in Devnagari script as well as to Konknni in Romi script since the inception of literary awards by Kala Academy. There are so many writers of Konknni in Romi script who have received such awards in the past.

5.          It was in 1987 that the Official Language Act (OLA) of Goa was passed and fraudulently it was mentioned in the Act that Konknni in Devnagari script will be the Official Language. In fact this was the great betrayal to the protagonists of Konknni in Romi script because of whose support the Konknni language became the Official Language of Goa.

6.          It is after the Act was implemented that some leaders of Devnagari lobby such as Adv. Uday Bhembre, Pundalik Naik, Naguesh Karmali, Arvind Bhatikar, Fr. Mousinho Ataide and others worked directly or indirectly to stop the promotion and development of Konknni in Romi script. Their selfish actions are : 

a)      They stopped Kala Academy from giving awards to Konknni in Romi script as they controlled the committees of Kala Academy. The reason given was that the OLA recognizes Konknni in Devnagri script only.

b)      GKA did not help in any way for the promotion and development of Konknni in Romi script. It was only in 2005 that the Goa Govt., with a resolution passed in the Goa Assembly, directed the GKA to provide funds for the promotion and development of Konknni in Romi script.

c)      This lobby has succeeded in manipulating the Konknni movement at all levels. At the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi their manipulative tactics have helped them to keep away the protagonists of Konknni in Romi script, since the recognition of Konknni by  Sahitya Akademi in 1976. This is proved from the facts that the advisory bodies appointed by the Sahitya Akademi have 10 out of 10 members who are the supporters of Devnagari script. Their strategy is such that they appoint some Christians to the advisory bodies to show that they include everyone. However, the Christians who are appointed are basically the supporters of Devnagari script.

With all these actions, it only proves that Devnagari lobby is all out to destroy Konknni in Romi script.

7.          Because Kala Academy stopped giving Literary Award to Konknni in Romi script and GKA refusing to support Konknni in Romi script, the protagonists of Konknni in Romi script agitated. They appealed to the political leadership of Goa as well as to the lovers of Konknni language to give justice to Konknni in Romi script. As a result of this, the then Govt. of Goa, including the Opposition, was compelled to pass resolution in Goa Assembly to direct GKA to promote and develop Konknni in Romi script also.

8.          It is due to the direction of Govt. that GKA were compelled to support Konknni in Romi script since 2005. It is completely wrong to make it appear that they supported Konknni in Romi script out of their free will.

9.          It is also wrongly informed by GKA that they supported Government’s decision to get Govt. grants to Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) for the promotion and development of Konknni in Romi script. In fact, they opposed even at the last moment and tried to stop the then Chief Minister to give grants to DKA but in vain.

10.       Protagonists of Konknni in Romi script continued their fight with Kala Academy to restore the Literary Award to Konknni in Romi script. The protagonists of Konknni in Romi script also demanded that Award for Konknni in Romi script should be given in a separate category. This is needed because the Devnagari lobby consider the literature of Konknni in Romi script is below standard and many a time pass derogatory comments on literature of Konknni in Romi script even without reading the books. This bias against Konknni in Romi script does not help the writers of Konknni in Romi script to get any awards as the panel of judges include Devnagari writers only. Hence the demand for separate category.

11.       The agitation with Kala Academy continued and finally the Executive Board of Kala Academy took a decision to give separate award for Konknni books in Romi script. The press note to this effect was issued, books in Konknni in Romi script  were called, a committee was set up and the first award for a book in Konknni in Romi script  for the first time was given by Kala Academy in separate category. The book ‘Kunkolle-Ek Mahan Ganv’  written by late Fr. Planton Faria  received the first literary award.

12.       However, as the decision afterwards was discussed in the General Council of Kala Academy, Adv. Uday Bhembre who was  the member of General Council of Kala Academy along with the supporters of all the Marathi lovers in the General Council managed to revert the decision. Once again injustice to Konknni in Romi script was perpetuated by Kala Academy due to the pressure tactics from Devnagari lobby. That time Shri Pratapsing Rane was the Chairman of Kala Academy.

13.       When  Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh became the Chairman of Kala Academy, the protagonists of Konknni in Romi script again approached the Chairman and placed before him the injustice done to writers of Konknni in Romi script. Being a litterateur himself, he understood the matter and finally took a decision in the Executive Board as well as in the General Council to give separate award to Konknni in Romi script along with separate awards to other Goans who create literature in English and in other Indian languages.

14.       From the statements of the leaders of the GKA and that of Devnagari lobby, it only appears that they are frustrated because if recognition is given to Konknni in Romi script it may flourish and adversely affect the prospects of Konknni in Devnagari  script as it happened in the primary education.

15.       These four organizations will leave no stone unturned to see that the decision taken by Kala Academy is not reverted because it is done to give justice to the writers of Konknni in Romi script. These organizations will meet the Hon’ble Chief Minister and other political personalities to see that the justice done to writers of Konknni in Romi script is not sabotaged. 

Shri Premanand A. Lotlikar, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi

Shri Tomazinho Cardozo, President of Jagotik Konknni Songhotton   

Prince Jacob, President of Tiatr Academy Goa                                   

Shri Wilson Mazarello, Convenor, Romi Lipi Action Front                  

Shri Jose Salvador Fernandes, Secretary of Dalgado Konknni Akademi

 Shri Walter Menezes, Treasurer of Dalgado Konknni Akademi

Fr.Conceicao D'Silva, Executive Member of Dalgado Konknni Akademi

Xmt. Jessie Dias, Executive Member of Dalgado Konknni Akademi

Dated:         24.09.2013

Place: Tiatr Academy Goa, Conference Hall,

          Campal, Panjim, Goa 

--

Pratap Naik, s.j.
Jesuit House

Municipal Garden East

Post Box 112

Panaji, Goa - 403 001, INDIA
E-ID: <pratapnaiksj@gmail.com>
Cell: 09850658565

KIFF LEAGUE 2013/2014

KIFF LEAGUE 2013/2014. REAL BETALBATIM FC, DON BOSCO ORATORY, GOA MAROONS WIN. KUWAIT GOAN ASSOCIATION AND YRC RISING STARS SHARE SPOILS ON MATCH DAY 2.

The second round of KIFF League 2013/2014 once again saw goals galore with 12 goals being scored in 4 matches that were held on 20^th September 2013 at the Al Kazema grounds in Adeliya. The early two matches saw Don Bosco Oratory taking on Kerala Challengers on ground 'A' and Real Betalbatim FC clashing with United Goan Strikers on ground 'B'. The youthful side of DBO dominated the proceedings and went ahead through Nikhil D'Souza whose first time strike gave Kerala Challengers keeper no chance. The second half started on the same note and DBO increased its tally through Lloyd. Kerala Challengers tried in vain to come into the game but DBO defense held firm and emerged victorious 2-0. Man of the match award was awarded to young Nikhil of DBO for his brilliant display and presented by Raymond D'Sa President of GOA Maroons. RBFC and UGC started on a cautious note and increased the tempo as the game progressed. The midfield dominated the game and defense held firm with goal scoring chances few in the first half. In the second half RBFC found their rhythm and dominated the proceedings. UGC defense absorbed the pressure as RBFC strike force upped the tempo and as the game petered towards a stalemate Lawrence Colaco of RBFC found the net to put his team ahead and finish the match 1-0. Lawrence of RBFC was adjudged the Man of the Match and handed over by Rev. Fr. Franco Fernandes, President of Don Bosco Oratory.

The late 2 matches were between GOA Maroons and United Friends Club on ground 'A' and YRC Rising Stars and Kuwait Goan Association on ground 'B'. GOA Maroons started the game on a positive note with an attacking intent and Steven found the net to put GOA Maroons ahead in the first half. In the second half GOA Maroons were all over UFC and scored at will with young Clevan D'Cunha scoring the first hat trick of the season. Ian made it 5-0 in favor of GOA Maroons . UFC had no answer to the marauding strike force complimented with a supporting midfield of GOA Maroons. Clevan of GOA Maroons was rightly bestowed with Man of the Match award for his classy and youthful exuberance and the award was given by  M.M. Jacob of Kerala. The match between Rising Stars and KGA was a scrappy affair but attack minded intent on display by both sides. KGA went ahead through Clifton D'Cruz, but Rising Stars came strongly to equalize through Cheslee. Rising Stars went ahead when KGA defender Inacio misread the flight of the ball and headed backwards into his own net with his onrushing keeper beaten. KGA increased the pressure to equalize and found the net through Xavier whose powerful shot bulged the nets. Both the teams went for the winner towards the fag end of the game, but had to settle for a draw with the match ending 2-2. KGA goalkeeper Nelvy Rodrigues was awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant performance and handed over by Lawrence Pinto President of YRC Rising Stars.

The matches were supervised by IFRA officials. In between the breaks KIFF felicitated Cruzedio Rodrigues for his contribution towards the game in KIFF for more than a decade. The fleet footed striker who played for UFC, Navelim Youth Center and now presently donning colors for DHL FC has the unique distinction of winning 8 highest goal scorer awards over a period of time he played his soccer in KIFF.  Rodrigues is leaving the shores of Kuwait for good was presented with a memento by KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes. KIFF also welcomed Mr. M.M. Jacob from Kerala who is on a private visit to Kuwait. Jacob is a well known soccer personality in India and Kerala having represented the Kerala state team as a player for 8 years from 1974 and captaining the side in 1982 and was awarded G.V. Raja Gold Medal twice in 1979 & 1981 for being 'The Best Footballer of Kerala'. He also coached the Kerala state team for Santosh Trophy for 8 years.  He represented Indian Soccer team for various international tournaments for 4 years in Seoul, Bangkok, Middle East, Russia and Hungary from 1976 to 1979. Represented the Central Excise and Customs soccer team for 16 years and also captaining the team for 12 years.  Jacob was introduced to the players playing the second matches of the day.

Man of the Match awards for KIFF League season are sponsored by United Steel Industrial Company.

The match schedule for 27^th September 2013 to be played at Al Kazma Grounds is as follows:

At 6.45 am Cutorcares United v/s Santos United on Ground 'A' and AVC - Kuwait v/s Indian Strikers on Ground 'B'

At 7.45 am DHL FC v/s FC Sparx on ground 'A' and Malabar United v/s Skynet Raiders v/s on Ground 'B'.

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