Team Herald
MARGAO: At a significant meeting in Mangalore, the Global Konknni Forum (GKF) and All Script Associations of Konknni announced their decision to hold an Akhil Bharatiya Konknni Maha-Sabha in Goa on January 3. This gathering will focus on discussions regarding the script issue.
Kennedy Afonso, President of the Global Konknni Forum (GKF), announced that the upcoming Akhil Bharatiya Konknni Maha-Sabha will be held at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao. This venue will serve as a focal point for discussions on the script issue, bringing together various stakeholders from the Konknni community to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
The goal of the Maha Sabha is Romi to be given equal status in official language act in Goa, along with Nagri, introduction of Roman script Konknni into schools from std 1st to Xth std, respect for all scripts, equal rights by Sahitya Akademi and selection process of Konknni Advisory Board to be made more transparent, and chosen democratically, by respective script associations, and approved by the Sahitya Akademi.
"This is a historic decision taken for the first time, to bring all associations of Konknni, across the Konkan belt, in a grand Maha Sabha. This event will be held yearly," said Afonso.
He further said that this AIKMS will highlight the rich diversity of the Konknni language, it’s culture and the AIKMS will expose the injustice done to the 4 scripts of Konknni language, by the Goa government, by excluding Roman Script Konknni from the OLA, and the Sahitya Akademi by nominating Nagri as the sole official script Konknni, without passing it through any Linguistic criteria.
"Konkani speaking people from Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa will take part in the Maha Sabha", he informed.
GKF also requested all Konknni Associations, Titar Academy, and other associations to lend their support to make this first AIKMS a big success.