It was nice to be present for the
“DALGADO PUROSKAR 2013” prize
distribution function on 6th
of this month at Kala Academy, Panjim.
Since its inception, Dalgado Konknni Academy and Kuwait Goans have a
good link and this link was created thru Kuwait Konknni Kendr – Kuwait when KKK
assisted DKA with a donation of about 25,000 Rupees and also by enrolling of
KKK members as life members of DKA including this writer. Kuwait Konknni Kendr
and Dalgado Academy are the strong protagonists and promoters of Romi Konkani
that was denied its rightful place by our so called brothers in the Konkani movement
that is Nagrivadis. The movement in
eighties for the cause of recognition of Konkani was spearheaded by
overwhelming majority of Romi Konkani supporters. In fact Konkani as a language is kept alive
by the Romivadis with the strong backing of the Church. By organizing Church
rites in Romi Konkani, Christians of Goa are brought closer to Konkani and it
was this Goan Christian community as a whole that supported the Konkani
movement in eighties by attending the public rallies and public meetings.
During this Konkani movement there
were so many Nagri supporters in Kuwait in particular and in other parts of the
Gulf in general but none participated in this movement whereas this writer a
Romi Konkani protagonist especially came down to Goa and participated in the
public rallies in Panjim, received Lathis from Rane’s Ghantti policemen and
even remained on hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Panjim for this cause. Besides,
Kuwait based Romi Konknni supporters
joined together and donated a huge sum of money to organize this movement and
also of KPA. The efforts of Romi
Konknnivadis for the cause of Konkani movement cannot be downgraded. If today Konkani is enjoying the official
status then the major credit should go to the efforts made by the Romivadis.
This fact cannot be eradicated from the history.
During the Dalgado Puroskar 2013
celebration, in his speech Fr. Conceicao D’Silva expressed his disgust over the
denial of due recognition to Romi Konkani thru the chicanery of Nagri Konknni
stalwarts spearheaded by Uday Bhembro.
Later on during the same function delivering his speech as a chief guest,
Mr. Vinayak Naik, the editor of Goa’s prestigious monthly magazine Goa Today in
his hard hitting attack said that the Konknni that is used by the Nagrivadis is
not Konknni but half Marathi by quoting some words from Sunaprant. Further he lamented the selfish attitude of
Nagrivadis to deny Sahitya Academy Literary Awards to Romi writers. In one word
he condemned the Nagrivadis for denying the Romivadis their due rights when
they fought more gallantly for the cause of Konkani. Besides Romivadis had unique distinction of producing
Martyrs for the cause of Konkani.
Now, in view of above, I feel it is time now
for all the Romivadis to severe their relationship with Nagrivadis who are
responsible for denying Romi Konkani its due place. Nagrivadis like Uday Bhembros should be
boycotted from the midst of Romi circle.
Nagrivadis strengthened their position on the all round support provided to them by the Romivadis.
Very few Romivadis have
interacted with Nagrivadis as this writer did during his deep involvement in
Konkani movement from Kuwait for the last so many years and by observing their
nature I found them to be like Zionists.
The way the Zionists feel superior among Arab Palestinians in the same
way Nagrivadis feel they are superior and Romivadis inferior. Nagriadis are traitors because they have
betrayed the Romivadis with a Judas Kiss.
Nagrivadis are robbers because they have robbed the Romivadis of their
due credit for which they should never be forgiven.
Meantime, we as Romivadis must
carry on with our campaign with greater vigour to get Romi Konkani its due
place. Until then we must treat
Nagrivadis as number One enemy of Romivadis. In this tussle, Romivadis stand to
lose nothing but only the gains they stand to win.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim,
Goa.
