Foundation stone for Konkani centre laid in Mangalore

MANGALORE: ‘‘Konkani is a secular language and Konkanis have made remarkable achievements in the fields of education, health and many other sectors, setting examples for others in society. They are intelligent people but many a time their economic background acts as a hindrance to their intelligence. This intelligence can be safeguarded with assistance and help,’’ said Co-operation Minister R.V. Deshpande.

Addressing a gathering at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the World Konkani Centre at Shakthinagar, Mangalore, Deshpande said in the past people had built and developed the community all by themselves, without depending on the government.

‘‘Even on Monday the community should not depend on government aid for community development works. If relying on the government is unavoidable, then let the dependence be minimum,’’ he advised.

‘‘In this age, countries like India and China have wider scope for development owing to their manpower. This manpower must be encouraged, utilised and preserved through education and health,’’ he added.

Bangalore-based entrepreneur P. Dayananda Pai laid the foundation stone for the project and promised to donate Rs 25 lakh for the first phase of the project. He said Konkani was a language of three communities.

‘‘This great language must grow and research and development of the language is needed,’’ he said.

Konkani Bhas Ani Samsriti Pratistan president Basti Vaman Shenoy said the Vishwa Konkani Kendra had an estimated outlay of Rs 5 crore, to be built on three acres.

‘‘Considering the noble objectives of the Kendra, the government has given 50 per cent concession on the registration/stamp duties, 100 per cent waiver of land conversion charges and concession in development charges and lice fees which comes to nearly Rs 10 lakh,’’ Shenoy said.

Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation Oscar Fernandes, Corporation Bank head office Mangalore exceutive director Gopalkrishna, Mangalore MLA Yogish Bhat, MLC Blasius M. D’Souza, Konkani Bhasha Mandal president Father Eric Crasta, construction committee chairman M. Raghunath Shet and others were present on the occasion.