Govt must extend benefits to Konkanis

“A lot of effort has gone into the recognition of Konkani as a linguistic minority segment and the government must extend to us all benefits generally given to those from the segment,” said Dr Mohan Pai.

He was speaking during the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Association of Karnataka State Konkani Linguistic Minority Educational Institutions in the city on Tuesday.

He also appealed that Devanagari script be used for teaching Konkani in schools. Dr Pai, who is the secretary of the association, said that Konkani was among the leading communities of the nation, with members of the same being a part of nearly every profession, including banking, business, medicine etc. He called upon Konkanis to unite for the betterment of the community in general.

The State government as well as the Centre has accepted the Mahajan Commission report and has accepted the community as a linguistic minority. Dr Pai then presented a memorandum to Mangalore MLA Yogish Bhat containing the demands of the association.

On the occasion, Dr T M A Pai Foundation President K K Pai released a Konkani text book written in Devanagari script. Konkani writer Uday Bhembre, All India Konkani Parishath President Basti Vaman Shenoy, Fr William Barboza of St Joseph Seminary, Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishath President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Association of Karnataka State Konkani Linguistic Minority Educational Institutions President Dr U S Mohandas Nayak among others were present.

Several eminent Konkani personalities were felicitated on the occasion.