Pics: Joshwa D'souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jun 2: Konkani Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino has said that 'Konkani Jagrati Abhiyan' will be conducted in 100 schools across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts from June 2 to June 16 under the aegis of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy in order to create awareness and encourage students to take up Konkani language in the academics.

Briefing reporters about the project in the academy office at the MCC, here on Thursday June 2, Roy Castelino said that a language which develops with culture and literature grows fast. “The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy works for Konkani education, culture, and literature. It is necessary that children learn Konkani in schools in order to preserve the identity and maintain the growth of Konkani language,” he said.

“There are about 50,000 students speaking Konkani across three districts in the coastal belt. Students from 12 schools have answered SSLC Konkani paper in 2015-16. 69 students from 9 schools have answered in Kannada script and 8 students from 3 schools have answered the question paper in Devanagari script. All the students have passed with an average of 90 percent marks,” he added.

“Though Konkani is introduced in the curriculum, the growth in the number of students writing the examination was not much. The Academy has organized 'Konkani Jagrati Abhiyan' over the past several years to disseminate information on learning Konkani. An awareness programme was organized in Karwar in December 2015 and one more was organised in March 2016.” he explained.

"Now an identical awareness programme is being conducted here with the support of education department. The group will visit schools in a unique way with the Brass band team to reach out to teachers and students and encourage students to take up Konkani. We intend to cover 100 schools in 15 days. The main aim of the academy is to convince students that if they take up Konkani, their mother tongue, it will help them to score good marks. The government is also encouraging them by providing all the necessary support. Starting of MA in Konkani course at Mangalore University is also under consideration and several discussions are being held in this connection.” Roy concluded.

‘Konkani Jagrati Abhiyan' was symbolically flagged off by Roy Castelino after the meeting.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Registrar Devdas Pai, members Lawrence D' Souza, Mamatha Kamath, Vithori Karkal and Aravind Shanbagh were present at the press meet.