From Sanjay Borkar in Margao for Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Margao, Jul 8: South Goa MP Churchill Alemao has demanded that the government should pass a Bill of amendment to the Official Language Act so as to recognize Konkani in Roman script therein along with Devanagri, in the coming assembly session.

Romi script is the backbone of Konkani language. Most of the Goans use Romi script to write, and also Romi script has played a major role in tiatr field. But they are always sidelined. They are not getting the facilities and schemes, which Devnagari writers get. To preserve Konkani in the state, Romi script should be included in the Official language. It is a today’s need, said Alemao, while addressing a press conference in a city hotel.

Alemao also told that under the banner of 'Konkanni Porjecho Awaz’ they will hold the meetings to chalk out plans if the government failed to meet their demand of giving equal status to Romi script along with Devnagri.

Alemao also promised that he would take further steps to have Konkani language introuduced for official work in Goa.

Dalgado Konknni Akademi president Wilson Mazarello also demanded that equal status should be given to Romi script along with Devnagri.

"A hundred years ago, nobody was writing in Devnagri script. Four hundred years ago Pali script was used to write in Konkani. Also the Romi script has the history of 400 years. Today Goans mostly use Romi script to write not Devnagri, for which we want the government should give equal status to Romi script along with Devnagri," said advocate Radharao Gracias.

Romi script can unify all the Konkani people who stay across India, as most of the people use Romi script, advocate Gracias further said.

Pratap Naik and eminent artistes of Tiatr field were present at the press conference, who reiterated that the government should give equal status to Romi script along with Devnagri, for the betterment and development of Konkani language.