Konkani Sahitya Academy’s ’Mobile Konkani Bazaar’ gains popularity

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 28, 2014: Mobile Konkani Bazaar, is the brian child of some enterprising elements in Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy to make available Konkani books, CDs  and other needs through a vehicle. The  expectations of the academy was met in quicker time than expected. The academy initiated the project during last May’ 13, in a rented vehicle has now invited e-tender for a new vehicle.

Speaking to media recently , Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Registrar B Devdas Pai said that in last five months, the Mobile Konkani Bazaar has reached 12 districts of the state and sold more than 3,50,000 books. “The main objective of identifying readers and distributing books has been achieved through the vehicle. The maintenance cost of the vehicle crosses Rs 60,000 per month. We want Konkani literature to reach the people.” The full-fledged vehicle can carry around 1,500 books at a time. There are two staff and a driver in the vehicle. The Mobile Konkani Bazaar has visited Hubli and Mysore during Dasara. “Now, we are planning to take it to Belgaum. The bazaar not only sells books, but also motivates shopkeepers to encourage readers to read books. A sub-committee which includes a retired librarian of St Aloysius College and a litterateur works for the development of the bazaar,” he said. Language in colleges

Pai said that Konkani was introduced as a third optional language from sixth standard in 2006. At present, around 1,500 students are studying Konkani from Class six to SSLC. This year the academy has introduced the language in three colleges of the city—Pompei College, Aikala, Padua First Grade College and in Rosario College. The Academy has already decided to send two eligible candidates to Goa University to pursue post graduation in Konkani next year. The State government has promised to release Rs two crore as seed money to establish Konkani Chair at Mangalore University. Christ University of Bangalore has also tentatively agreed to set up Konkani Chair or to start a research centre.

To fill the gap, the Academy has decided to introduce Konkani in Pre-University colleges as well. The Pre-University Education Board director has sent a recommendation to the government and the Academy is awaiting for the governments approval.  The syllabus has already been prepared, he said.

Teaching methodology  :   The Academy has published ‘Konkani Sampada’, DEd, BEd Konkani teaching methodology or resource book for the teachers.   The academy is also imparting training to the Konkani teachers twice a year on the basis of methodology. Konkani Clubs are active in around 60 colleges to create awareness of Konkani. The Konkani Sahitya Academy has published Sulabh Konkani, a list of words and sentences in Kannada- English and in Konkani which would help in learning the language. It contains around 1,500 words and 500 sentences. The Academy is working towards strengthening Konkani in schools, colleges and in research activities.

Certificate courses  :   Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Registrar B Devdas Pai said that a Konkani certificate course for women to study Konkani at home will be inaugurated at Laxmi Dhama, Jail road in Mangalore on October 27. The duration of the course is one month and is divided into two phases. In the first phase, basics of the language will be taught. There will be 10 classes of one and half hour duration, which will be completed within two weeks. In the second phase, different forms of literature and grammar will be taught.