Bangalore: Konkani Niyall, Reflection on Sustenance of Konkani Stresses Need to Strive for Posterity

Media Release

Bangalore, 11 Jun 2013: It was welcome departure to words like Good morning, Good afternoon, Good evening, Good night and Thank you, that are being replaced with with Konkani greetings - Dev Bori Sakal Deenv, Dev Boro Dees Deenv,  Dev Boro Donpar Deenv, Dev Bori Saanz Deenv, Dev Bori Raat Deenv and Dev Borem Korum  as Konkani Kalaratn and Mandd Sobhann Gurkaar  Eric Ozario set the tone for Konkani Niyall, reflection to sustain mother tongue Konkani that was held at the aegis of  Konkani Catholic  Sangh, Infant Jesus Church, Mudalapalya, and in association with Konkani Christian Association, Kengeri Satellite Town, and Konkani Catholic Sangh, Vijayanagar here on Sunday June 9.

 

While explaining the richness of Konkani Language and its culture, the language that is spoken by nearly 50 lakh Indians across the country, more particularly along the western coast of India, Eric Ozario explained lack luster approach and non allegiance by Konkani speaking people in owning up their mother tongue, has resulted setback of sorts to Konkani in general and creative activities in particular, said Eric.

Such approach is purely because people do not realize the importance of ‘Purvojanthavn Aoillen Dirven’ the legacy of ancestors, who were so proud of and took care in passing on to next generation. But the failure in sustaining it in day-today living is the cause of present day malady, stressed Eric. Any inferiority to speak mother tongue – Konkani or sense of pride in speaking English even at home, damages self esteem/respect, explained Eric.

 
No wonder then, it is the yeomen service and tremendous effort of some writers and individuals which has secured Konkani a place of pride, being in the eighth schedule of Indian Constitution and presently official language of Goa. Government of Karnataka too, constituted a separate state level academy in 1994 and accorded the third optional language for study in the educational institutions in 2007.  As many as 70 students are passing out of SSLC board exams this year, said Eric.

 
Underlying the need to have the language of the people or the mother tongue as the language in liturgy, Eric Ozario explained the decimation of Latin language hitherto Numero Uno all over the world, but reduced to being extinct as a result of Second Vatican council according the vernacular languages as a medium in liturgy. He appealed to the brethrens to strive for the growth of distinct Konkani culture and more importantly Konkani language, emphasized Eric.

 
Dictating the 10 commandments for the survival of Konkani and the follow up efforts, Eric urged the people to pray to God, to write and speak only in Konkani without adulterating it.  He also urged the people to support writers and activities like drama,  music etc by actively participating or buying Konkani magazines/music CDs etc…

 
Touching the sensitive subject of recent attacks by some activists on churches where Konkani Mass is being held, Eric appealed to brethrens to demand the use of mother tongue in the liturgy, which is a guaranteed right under Constitution and in accordance with the Canon Law. Such attacks are mostly due to indifference of Konkani speaking people to assert and silence is construed as weakness. Konkani speaking people must represent their written requests to the respective parish priests and Archbishop and be prepared to wage legal battle, said Eric.

However, Eric cautioned that the fight in favor of Konkani in liturgy was not aimed against any other language, but to retain Konkani in liturgy only and sure means of developing mother tongue.

 
Vincent Miranda, former president of Konkani Catholic Sangh, Moodalapalya thanked Eric Ozario for the stupendous efforts to promote Konkani. He also thanked the people who had come from across the metro and requested them to organize such initiatives, which will definitely make a Konkani Mass, a reality within a year in the metro.