Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi (AF)

Kochi, Feb 5: Konkani is far older than Malayalam but it is not as widespread as the latter. Most Konkani-speaking people when they meet people speaking other languages converse not in Konkani but in the language of the other person, which has contributed to Konkani's lack of popularity,' opined K L Mohana Verma.

He was speaking at the valedictory of All-India Konkani Parishad organized by Kerala Konkani Academy at Ernakulam here on Sunday February 3.

P N Shivananda Shenoy welcomed the gathering and honoured the eminent Konkanis present at the programme. The guests of honour were Pundalik Naik and former vice-chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) Dr N Unnikrishnan Nair.

The programme was presided over by Shantaram Naik. R S Bhaskar proposed the vote of thanks.

Earlier in the day, a seminar on 'Raashtreeya Aani Antar Raashtreeya Paanvdyar Konkanicho Abhyas' (Study of Konkani at the National and International Levels' was held. The session was chaired by Dr L Suneetha Bai.

Presenting a paper for the seminar, Dr William D'Silva asked as to what was the need to learn Konkani language when the technical language of the world is English. 'Only if we love Konkani can we learn Konkani,' he added.

Dr Samir Kelekar also presented a paper and urged the Konkani community to make use of the latest software available to facilitate the process of popularising Konkani.

Dr Mohan Pai, P Ramesh Pai, Prof V Shivananda Bhat and Sebi Fernandes took part in the discussion.