Mangaluru: Deshpande inaugurates Konkani Study Chair

Mangaluru, Jun 12: A newly-established Konkani Study Chair at University College, Mangalore University, a long-standing demand by Konkani-speaking communities, was formally inaugurated by Minister for Higher Education and Tourism R V Deshpande at a formal programme at Ravindra Kala Bhavan in the college premises here on Friday.

Speaking after inaugurating the study centre, Mr Deshpande said that Konkani language, which was over a thousand years old, had a rich culture and tradition. Hence, research on the language is essential to gain more from Konkani and its culture. Works written in Konkani should be translated into English and other widely-used languages to facilitate the growth of the language and its culture, he said.

He said that there were many responsibilities on the centre to enable and support the growth of Konkani language. Konkani-speaking people are spread in different countries across the globe. The committee formed for the study centre should be proactive in its working in this regard, he said, adding that contemplation and research should be done on the various contributions made towards Konkani by Manjeshwar Govind Pai.

He said that Konkani was a secular language spoken by people belonging to several communities. The central government should aid contemplation on the growth of the language and how Konkani can contribute towards the social and economic upliftment of the Kurubi community, he said.

Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza said that the newly-established Konkani study centre should facilitate the growth and promotion of the language. Research on Konkani language should pave the way for its wider usage among people belonging to different communities, he said.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that a language's culture and tradition could be retained only with its widespread use. Today, languages like Konkani which is spoken by Christian, GSB and Kurubi communities face the possibility of a slow death and extinction in the future due to its infrequent usage. Increasing usage of English by members of the Christian community may pave the way for a slow death of Konkani in most parts of the state, which should be reversed by establishing and promoting Konkani study centres in universities, he said, noting the efforts of individuals such as Basti Vaman Shenoy and Eric Ozario in contributing to the growth of the language.

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo stressed that it was the responsibility of all Konkani-speaking people to preserve and retain the culture of the language through daily use.

Speaking on the occasion, MLC Ivan D'Souza urged the higher education ministry to introduce Konkani as an optional language for students in their PU syllabus in the state.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino and Mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation Jacintha Alfred also spoke on the occasion. Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof K Byrappa presided over the inaugural programme.

Registrar of Mangalore University Prof P S Yadapadithaya welcomed the gathering and spoke on the history of Konkani language and objectives of the newly-established study centre. Coordinator of Konkani Study Centre Dr Jayavanth Nayak, Basti Vaman Shenoy, Eric Ozario and several others were present on the occasion.