Panaji :February 20, 2019 … “After Konkani language received recognition and was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and also recognition from the literary body in India, Konkani made steady progress,” said Shri Shantaram Varde Valaulikar, well known Konkani writer while delivering a talk at the concluding session of the two-day seminar organised on the occasion of the Silver jubilee of the Inclusion of Konkani in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution held at the Multipurpose Hall, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto.
Stressing on the need for Konkani to be used widely in homes and administration, Shri Valaulikar added, “Earlier they used to be Konkani camps (Shibirs) where pertinent issues were discussed and effective solutions reached at through these discussions. People participated without any religious or political party bias. There is a need to have more such camps again so that challenges faced by Konkani can be discussed and be solved with effective solutions.”
The seminar was organised by the Sahitya Academy, Goa in association with Directorate of Higher Education and Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola. Participants from Goa and neighbouring states attended the seminar. At the seminar, those who presented papers reviewed the literacy and linguistic scenario of Konkani after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution from 1992 till date and discussed the future course of action for the enrichment of Konkani Language and Literature.
Some of the sessions held at the seminar included ‘National Recognition Movement of Konkani- a Review’ , ‘Benefits of inclusion of Konkani in the Eighth Schedule, Expectations and Reality. ‘Konkani at National Level, today and Tomorrow’ ,‘Eighth Schedule and Konkani with respect to Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra’, ‘Contribution of Literacy and Linguistic Institutions to Konkani and ‘Konkani Language, Literature Education and Culture, towards a bright future’.
