Dalgado Konknni Akademi press release
Panaji, Jul 13: The signature campaign in support of the Petition to President of India under Article 347 of the Constitution of India seeking Official Recognition for Konknni written in Roman script, jointly promoted by All Goa Citizens’ Committee for Social Justice and Action (AGCCSJA), Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA), Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), Tiatr Academy, Goa and many other associations has concluded.
The final Report along with the areawise statements of 56,310 signatures, verified and certified by Chartered Accountant and Auditor R E Kamat were forwarded to President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on June 30.
Along with the final report and statement of signatures, one copy of Holy Bible written in Konknni in Roman script, a map of Goa showing the organizational network of 159 Parish Churches and 462 chapels where Konknni written in Roman script is used for all ceremonies from birth to funeral rites.
Besides these the map shows 171 Catholic social institutions and 278 schools and colleges which use and fully support Konknni written in Roman script. From this data the President of India will be convinced that Konknni written in Roman script is used by substantial proportion of Goans in the State of Goa to be qualified for Presidential Notification granting Official Recognition to it.
The statement of signatures included signatures from tiatrists who use exclusively Konknni written in Roman script, Goans living in other parts of India, NRI Goans of USA, London and Gulf countries.
Campaigners AGCCSJA, DKA, TSKK and others claim that there is nothing more to be done, no further proof is to be given to President of India to issue a Presidential Notification to officially recognise Konknni in Roman script. Copies of their letter to the President of India have been sent to Sonia Gandhi, Margaret Alva, Governor of Goa and the Chief Minister of Goa.
Supporters of Roman script called upon MLAs of Goa Assembly to follow suit, and amend the Goa Official Language Act 1987 to grant Official recognition to Konknni written in Roman script to fulfil the long-awaited and cherished demand and dream of Goans.