mangalore today

Konkani script row : Academy resents attempts to prove Devanagari superior


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 4, 2016: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy President Roy Castelino has said that the Academy took strong objections to the attempts made by a few    to prove that Devanagari script was superior than other scripts in which Konkani literary works are authored. Such an attitude would hinder the growth of the language as well as disappoint institutions which teach Konkani in Kannada script,  he said while speaking to reporters here on March 4, Friday.


Devanagari


It may be recalled  here that the  High Court had recently dismissed a PIL seeking that the Kendra Sahitya Academy which presently considers only Konkani works in Devanagari script for the Awards, to consider Konkani works in Kannada, Roman(English), Malayalam and Arabic too.

Castelino said though the Court ruling was restricted only to the Sahitya Academy Awards, some people were trying to prove that  Devanagari script was superior, thus leading to confusion.

He said the Academy has always been extending its support to individuals and organisations  who have authored Konkani works in Kannada script. Konkani is also taught as an optional subject in 1089 high schools and 76 primary schools, he added.

As many as 77 student s will appear for Konkani examination in Kannada script in the SSLC exam on April 13, he said and added that the Academy has already requested the Government to include Konkani in PU Education. Stating that the Mangalore University has already opened a Chair in Konkani, he said the VC even has plans to start MA courses in Konkani.

Academy Registrar Devadas Pai, Members Lawrence D’Souza, Shekhar Gowda and others were present.