Romi Konknni Fottinchem Zoit Zaum?
“Romi Konknni” hea mhatallea khal S. M. Borges-an boroiloli chitt (V.Ixtt – 27/03/10) vachli. Fottingponnam asat tim sotam mhunn dakhounk amcho Borges bab khub kapaz asa. Fattlea 6 – 7 vorsamni amche Konknni (Romi lipint) bhaxek jem boreponn ailam tem polleun Borges bab niraxi zala kai dista. Adim zainaslim tim som’melonam atam dor vorsa zatat ani Konknniche Romi lipint borovpi soglle mogi ekvottit zatat tem polleun Borges babachem niraxiponn vaddta xem dista. Ani heach niraxiponnantlean to “as’sol fotti” “jivim sotam” mhunn dakhounk proitn korta.
“Romi Konknni” hea xobdam vixim aple zannvayechem prodorxonn kortana to oxem mhunntta, “Tor ho xobd poilech pavtti vaporpi boroinnar konn aslo kai? Soroll zap: “Tomazinho Cardozo.” Khoim? “GULAB, Out. 2003, p. 30, col. 3.” Hem ek boglantt. Dusreak guneanvkar mhunn tharavpak oslim boglanttam utpon’n korpak amcho Borges bab sarko kurtid asa.
Atam sot kitem asa tem polleum-ia. Konknni Katolk Boroinnarancho Ekvott (KKBE) hea nanvanchi ek sonstha asli. Te Sonvsthen Konknni ( Romi lipint) bhaxe khatir zaito vavr kelo. 1981 vorsa tannim Rupea Utsov monoilo. Tea vellar tannim ek smarika “ Konknnaian” porgott keli. Tea pustokan “Konknni Sorospot” hache vixim Pri. Nicolau Pereira-n boroil’lo ek lekh asa. Tea lekhant Pri. Pereira oxem mhunntta, “ ‘Romi bhaxen’ boroupi zaite asat”.
1988 vorsa, somplolo Pri. Freddy J. D'Costa, Dalgado Konknni Akademicho poilo odheokx, ek ‘Press Note’ kaddun oxem mhunntta, “Dalgado Konknni Akademi will hold an exhibition of books and periodicals in ‘Roman Konkani’ on 2nd February 1989.” Prabhakar Tendulkar, Gõycho Porzoll 1989 hea ankant “Romi Konknni” hea xobdancho zaite pavtti vapor korta. Oxem asa zalear to xobd poilech pavtt vaporpi boroinnar konn aslo kai? Hachi soroll zap “Tomazinho Cardozo” koxi zali re Borges bab? “Sotachem Zoit Zaum” hem rupnnem ghalun amcho Borges bab “Fottinchem Zoit” korunk vavurta mhunn hangasor sid’dh zata.
“Romi bhaxen”, “Roman Konkani” vo “Romi Konknni” he xobd tea manestamni vaporle tacho orth ti bhas Romak thavn haddloli mhunn naslo. Hanveim tor he xobd adim vapurle zalear teach monan vapurlole. Te porim boroilear ti bhas Romak thavn haddloli zata mhunn ami adim kednanch mhunnunk na. Punn jednam Romi lipint boroilole Konknni bhaxek Devnagori lipint boroilole Konknni borobor Rajbhas kaidean ami eksarkeponn maglem tednam Devnagori lipichea pattlavddaramni, Borges baba sarkea vicharanchea mon’xamni “Romi lipi” vaprun Romachi sonskruti hanga haddunk sodhta mbhunn amcher arop kelo. Romi lipi vapurtat te deshbroxtt zaleat mhunn bogllantt ghalem. Romi lipichea patlavddaramni Romak vechem mhunn amkam suchna keli. Romi lipicher ani tichea patlavddrancher tor te itlem vikh vonkhta zalear “Romi bhaxen”, “Roman Konkani” vo “Romi Konknni” mhunnttana tankam kiteak oddchonn zaina kai? Hantunui kitem punn ‘conspiracy’ asa mhunn sid’dh zata. Heach karannak lagun mhaka dista ki “Romi bhaxen”, “Roman Konkani” vo “Romi Konknni” mhunnche bodlek ami Romi lipint boroiloli Konknni vo Konknni (Romi lipint) mhunnlear fuddarak boreak poddtolem. Jea mon’xamni Konknni bhaxechea nanvan amkam buloile ani nachoile ani fattlea darantleant guptponnim Rajbhas kaideant Devnagori lipi bhitor kaddli, tancher anik koxe patyom yeta?
Borges bab SUNDAY TIMES (21 Feb 2010) hacher ailolea mhojea lekhacho ulekh korta. Tachea mhatalleant “Roman Konkani” he xobd vapurleat mhunn to mhaka khursar marunk sodta. Khoincheai borovpak mhatallo divop hi ‘Editor’ vo ‘Sub-editor’ hachi zababdari. Tech porim mhojea lekhak to mhatallo hanvem nhoi punn ‘Editor’-an vo ‘Sub-editor’-an dila mhunn zor Borges babak khobor na zalear hanv tachea nennarponnache churchure kortam. Tech chittint Borges bab eka padricho ul’lekh korta ani tea padrik to ‘milagrist’ padri mhunn pacharta. Hanvem rajkaronn soddlear sumar 10 vorsam zalim. Hanv rajkornnant na mhunn akho sonvsar zanna ani tem Borges babui zanna. Punn torui punn to mhaka “rajkornni” mhunn pacharta. Hachim karannam oxim asat. Eka padrik “milagrist” padri mhunn pacharun tea padrichim to fokannam korpacho yotn korta. Rajkornneank aiz konnuch bore nodren pollena tea khatir hanv atam rajkornni nhoi astana poriant Borges bab portun portun mhaka “rajkornni” mhunn pacharun mhojem nanv ibaddunk. Zo monis dusreank “milagrist” padri ani “rajkarnni” mhunn goroz nastana pacharta tea mon’xacho sobhav kitlo sokoilea dorjeacho asa tem dakoll zata. Zait goddie Romi lipintle Konknni khatir vavurtoleank “milagrist” ani “rajkarnni” mhunn pacharun Borges babachea vikall ani niraxi monak dhadosponn mellta zait.
Ani akhrek Borges bab oxem mhunntta, “Aplem kotrop vhorun ninanvi “Pondditanchea” mathear marun foddche bodlek, apnnem adim kel’lem tem chuklolem, apnnem kiteak kelem, apnnak kitlo faido zalo, hachem spoxttikoronn korun mafi maglear borem zavpachem.” Atam mafi konnem magchi re Borges bab? ‘Fottinchem Zoit’ kednanch zaumchena mhunn mhaka khatri asa.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Goan Christians and their Identity
Goan Christians and their Identity
By Tomazinho Cardozo
Although identity means uniqueness, personality, individuality, distinctiveness, etc, the phrase 'Goan identity' means different things to different persons. Conceptualisation depends on the background of the person trying to interpret it. For example, a person who feels that his mother tongue is Konkani will have a different explanation for the term compared to the person who believes that his mother tongue is Marathi. And there will be the third version from a person who considers English or any language other than Konkani or Marathi as his mother tongue.
However, in recent times I have come across articles, views and opinions from certain quarters that have sometimes left me disturbed.
According to these views (a) The Christian community in Goa is drifting towards westernisation, (b) They prefer learning English to Konkani. (c) They feel shy to make use of Konkani in public. I do not wish to dismiss these statements outright, but I would like to clarify some misunderstandings created by these statements.
First, all Goans, irrespective of their religion are showing an increased inclination towards western culture. The lifestyle of the present day youth is proof of this. Second, majority of students from the Christian community learn Konkani in Devnagri script at the primary level and as third language at secondary level. All schools, primary numbering about 126 and secondary and higher secondary numbering about 150, of the Archdiocesan Board of Education offer Konkani at primary level and as third language at secondary and higher secondary levels. There are hardly any schools other than Archdiocesan schools doing this great service to the cause of promotion of Konkani language. Third, although it is a universal craze to feel superior by conversing in English, it is observed that many Christian families in Goa, particularly those from coastal areas, do try to speak in English with their children at home. I feel that there are economic compulsions for such behaviour from certain families living in places where there is an influx of foreign tourists. Otherwise, all their daily activities, including religious activities, are carried on in Konkani only, written in the Roman script.
Having said that not only Christians, but all communities in Goa, have been bitten by the bug of westernisation, one cannot brush aside this trend, which can finally make a 'Goykar' feel out of place in his own land in the future. Konkani is the most important element of Goan identity. A mother tongue is always loved by its followers. The Christian community in Goa was the greatest supporter of Konkani language. All Christians in Goa displayed their wholehearted dedication to Konkani during the successful language agitation. However, their love towards Konkani has shown a decline over the last 20 years. The reason being the Goa Official Language Act of 1987; Konkani became the official language of Goa, but, unfortunately, Devnagri script chosen as the official script.
Roman script has been used to write Konkani right from the 16th century when a printing press was brought to Goa in 1556 by the then Portuguese government. Since then writing and printing books in Konkani continued in the Roman script. The Catholic Church of Goa made and still makes an extensive use of Konkani in Roman script for religious activities and hence Konkani in the Roman script has become a part and parcel of the life of Goan Christians. At present it is only the activities in Goan churches that keeps Goan Christians close to Konkani and consequently the Goan culture.
The language and culture of the Christian community in Goa has developed through Konkani in the Roman script over the last four-and-a-half-centuries. Elimination of Roman script has only adversely affected Goan Christians. During the last 22 years the number of Konkani-medium primary schools has not increased. On the contrary it has decreased. The majority of Hindu managed schools in Goa opt for Marathi medium education in primary schools as well as for the third subject in secondary and higher secondary schools. The impression given by Devnagri protagonists is that Konkani in the Devnagri script will unite Goans irrespective of caste, creed and religion has remained a myth.
In the recent times it has been observed that the number of students in primary schools belonging to the Diocesan Board of Education has been on the decline. On the other hand the number of English medium primary schools has increased ten fold over the last 22 years. Many students from Christian community have been compelled to move away from a Konkani education. This means they are drifting away from the Goan culture because the Goan culture cannot be preserved and promoted without learning and using Konkani.
The need of the hour is to bring Christians of Goa closer to Konkani language. And this can be achieved, even though it is very late, only through the use of the Roman script. The Government and the so called leaders of Konkani will definitely oppose the teaching of Konkani in Roman script in schools because they know that if an opportunity to learn Konkani in Roman script is given then a majority of the students will prefer to learn Konkani in the Roman script, which might well be the end of teaching Konkani in Devnagri script. Hence, I am of the opinion that the church must start classes to teach the correct method of reading and writing Konkani in the Roman script. Such an act will keep Goan Christians attached to the Konkani language. If the church authorities do not act now, the church activities in Konkani will go on dwindling and we will be responsible for driving Goan Christians away from Konkani language, the Goan culture and Goan identity.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/panorama/goan-christians-and-their-identity
By Tomazinho Cardozo
Although identity means uniqueness, personality, individuality, distinctiveness, etc, the phrase 'Goan identity' means different things to different persons. Conceptualisation depends on the background of the person trying to interpret it. For example, a person who feels that his mother tongue is Konkani will have a different explanation for the term compared to the person who believes that his mother tongue is Marathi. And there will be the third version from a person who considers English or any language other than Konkani or Marathi as his mother tongue.
However, in recent times I have come across articles, views and opinions from certain quarters that have sometimes left me disturbed.
According to these views (a) The Christian community in Goa is drifting towards westernisation, (b) They prefer learning English to Konkani. (c) They feel shy to make use of Konkani in public. I do not wish to dismiss these statements outright, but I would like to clarify some misunderstandings created by these statements.
First, all Goans, irrespective of their religion are showing an increased inclination towards western culture. The lifestyle of the present day youth is proof of this. Second, majority of students from the Christian community learn Konkani in Devnagri script at the primary level and as third language at secondary level. All schools, primary numbering about 126 and secondary and higher secondary numbering about 150, of the Archdiocesan Board of Education offer Konkani at primary level and as third language at secondary and higher secondary levels. There are hardly any schools other than Archdiocesan schools doing this great service to the cause of promotion of Konkani language. Third, although it is a universal craze to feel superior by conversing in English, it is observed that many Christian families in Goa, particularly those from coastal areas, do try to speak in English with their children at home. I feel that there are economic compulsions for such behaviour from certain families living in places where there is an influx of foreign tourists. Otherwise, all their daily activities, including religious activities, are carried on in Konkani only, written in the Roman script.
Having said that not only Christians, but all communities in Goa, have been bitten by the bug of westernisation, one cannot brush aside this trend, which can finally make a 'Goykar' feel out of place in his own land in the future. Konkani is the most important element of Goan identity. A mother tongue is always loved by its followers. The Christian community in Goa was the greatest supporter of Konkani language. All Christians in Goa displayed their wholehearted dedication to Konkani during the successful language agitation. However, their love towards Konkani has shown a decline over the last 20 years. The reason being the Goa Official Language Act of 1987; Konkani became the official language of Goa, but, unfortunately, Devnagri script chosen as the official script.
Roman script has been used to write Konkani right from the 16th century when a printing press was brought to Goa in 1556 by the then Portuguese government. Since then writing and printing books in Konkani continued in the Roman script. The Catholic Church of Goa made and still makes an extensive use of Konkani in Roman script for religious activities and hence Konkani in the Roman script has become a part and parcel of the life of Goan Christians. At present it is only the activities in Goan churches that keeps Goan Christians close to Konkani and consequently the Goan culture.
The language and culture of the Christian community in Goa has developed through Konkani in the Roman script over the last four-and-a-half-centuries. Elimination of Roman script has only adversely affected Goan Christians. During the last 22 years the number of Konkani-medium primary schools has not increased. On the contrary it has decreased. The majority of Hindu managed schools in Goa opt for Marathi medium education in primary schools as well as for the third subject in secondary and higher secondary schools. The impression given by Devnagri protagonists is that Konkani in the Devnagri script will unite Goans irrespective of caste, creed and religion has remained a myth.
In the recent times it has been observed that the number of students in primary schools belonging to the Diocesan Board of Education has been on the decline. On the other hand the number of English medium primary schools has increased ten fold over the last 22 years. Many students from Christian community have been compelled to move away from a Konkani education. This means they are drifting away from the Goan culture because the Goan culture cannot be preserved and promoted without learning and using Konkani.
The need of the hour is to bring Christians of Goa closer to Konkani language. And this can be achieved, even though it is very late, only through the use of the Roman script. The Government and the so called leaders of Konkani will definitely oppose the teaching of Konkani in Roman script in schools because they know that if an opportunity to learn Konkani in Roman script is given then a majority of the students will prefer to learn Konkani in the Roman script, which might well be the end of teaching Konkani in Devnagri script. Hence, I am of the opinion that the church must start classes to teach the correct method of reading and writing Konkani in the Roman script. Such an act will keep Goan Christians attached to the Konkani language. If the church authorities do not act now, the church activities in Konkani will go on dwindling and we will be responsible for driving Goan Christians away from Konkani language, the Goan culture and Goan identity.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/panorama/goan-christians-and-their-identity
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