'Opt Konkani language with love'

Addressing a workshop for Konkani teachers organised by Karnataka Konkani Sahithya Academy and District Institute of Training and Education (DIET) on Monday at District Institute of Training and Education Centre, he said that if a language had to live on, the younger generation has to embrace it with love and respect.

Announcing that Konkani will be included in ‘Prathibha Karanji’ soon, Kharvi said that Government has done its bit to support the langage but now it is left up to the parents and students to understand the importance of Konkani.

“Government has encouraged Konkani by including it as a third language but the dwindling number of students opting to study the language at school is a matter to worry,” said District Institute of Training and Education Principal Philomena Lobo.

She said that teachers are the only people who can motivate their students to study a subject and hence the teachers should be encouraged for this cause.

“Konkani teaching has now reached upto 9th standard after it was introduced in the syllabus. When students will write their SSLC exams in Konkani next year it will truly be history,” said Konkani Prachar Sanchalan President Roy Castelino. He said that there are plans to include Konkani in PUC and BEd courses.The one-day workshop had sessions by Stephen Quadros who spoke on Konkani prose, Aloysius D’Souza who spoke on Konkani poetry and Fr Valerian Fernandes spoke about Konkani grammar.