Pic: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 6: “From the last 23 years, Konkani Sahitya Academy is working for the promotion of Konkani in Mangaluru. The government has given me the opportunity to become the first president from Uttara Kannada for the academy,” said R P Naik president of Konkani Sahitya Academy at a press meet held at Diana hotel on Sunday, November 5.

“We have planned to organize several cultural programmes to mark the silver jubilee of the inclusion of Konkani in the eighth schedule of the Constitution of India. A list of 25 programmes has been chalked out which will be conducted at different places.

“The programmes have been already conducted at seven places like Kumta, Mundugodu, Geru Soppu, and Joida, University College. A programme has been scheduled at Shiroor shortly. On December 19, the academy will conduct a big programme in Udupi, Kodikanyana. On November 16, it will be held in Mangaluru. Then the programme will be held at Chikkamagaluru, Hubballi and Belgaum district.

“Konkani speaking community is found in the west coast and Mangaluru. The academy has been given the responsibility of promoting and cultivating our rich mother tongue. Keeping that in mind, the academy has planned to organize promotional programmes in Konkani community programmes.

“The academy is also trying to teach Konkani language to children. This drive will start from Uttara Kannada district. A sammelan will be held for the students from ten schools. In this sammelan, the academy will conduct recitation of poems, essays in Konkani and other competitions.

“Last year, MA (Post graduation) in Konkani started in Mangalore University. Only five students have been enrolled so far. The number of admission for evening school has increased to nine in the current year. The first five will get Rs 1.5 lac of scholarship every year.

“We will also host a ‘Mobile Bazar’ to read Konkani books for those who are interested in Konkani. We have decided to make some arrangements in Mangaluru office for public for promoting readings of Konkani books.

“Later, an international level convention on ‘Multiple language’ will be held in the first week of February 2018 to mark the 150- year anniversary celebration of Mangalore University. Rs 5 lac has been reserved in the budget for this programme.

“There is a demand from the Konkani community to have a separate ‘Konkani Bhavan’ and to have an office in its own building. We have asked the government to approve this project.

“Mangalore University is the second university that started MA course in Konkani and Goa University is the first that began it. This will promote Konkani language to nearly 41 communities. There are around two lac Konkani speakers in Karwar and Goa,” he added.

Devdas Pai, registrar, Amrith Shenoy, member of the Mangaluru Academic Council and Janardhan Bhandarkar were present during the press meet.