MP for Regional Center of Indian Languages in Goa

Panaji, Mar 18 (UNI) Mr Shantaram Naik, MP, has demanded setting up of a Regional Center of the Central Institute of the Indian Languages (CIIL) in Goa to boost the Konkani Language that suffered during the Portuguese regime.

Mr Naik said that the CIIL was originally based at Mysore to co-ordinate the development of Indian languages and bring about the essential unity of Indian languages through scientific studies, consequently, to contribute towards emotional integration of people of India.

Mr Naik said, he had made a special mention about the need for the regional centre in the Rajya Sabha today. It had its regional centres at Bhubhaneswar, Patiala, Pune and other places.

Konkani language, which was suppressed during the Portuguese rule, could surface only after the liberation of Goa in 1961.

Subsequently it was recognised by the Sahitya Academy as an independent literary language and thereafter was made official language of the State and included in the eighth schedule of the constitution, he said.

''A language, though suffered, did not die despite 450 year rule of the Portuguese. Impact of Portuguese rule on the progress of the language, its continuance as a language spoken by 90 per cent of the people, requirement of its use through modern technology, its rich cultural heritage, are all required to be studied in a scientific manner,'' he said.

Besides, Mr Naik said that Konkani speaking people are spread in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Linkage of the people of five states also needs an evaluation. Their language bonds are to be strengthened through modern methods. Literary works are to be preserved and future works to be encouraged.

UNI BM SR LS AS1746