Tag: Cultural Identity

Events in Goa

“Konkani is Our Identity”: Vivek Naik Inaugurates Official Language Training for Government Employees

Tanisha Cardozo

In a resounding affirmation of cultural pride and linguistic heritage, Director of Art and Culture, Vivek Naik, inaugurated the second batch of Official Language Training for government employees in Goa. The initiative is part of the state’s ongoing effort to integrate Konkani — Goa’s official language — into day-to-day administration and governance.

The Official Language Training program equips government officials with the skills and confidence to use Konkani in written and verbal communication within the administration. The second batch includes employees from various departments who will undergo structured modules covering:

  • Administrative vocabulary in Konkani
  • Official correspondence formats
  • Grammar and usage
  • Cultural context in communication

The initiative is aimed at ensuring that Konkani is not just ceremonial, but functional and widely used in governance.

Goa has always been a unique cultural mosaic, and the state’s commitment to Konkani as its official language is enshrined in the Constitution. Yet, ensuring its use in everyday governance remains an ongoing challenge.

Naik’s emphasis on language training is a step toward aligning administrative practices with constitutional values and public sentiment. The Department of Art and Culture is playing a key role in mobilising resources, creating curriculum, and generating awareness among officials.

As more government employees are trained in using Konkani professionally, the state moves closer to a fully inclusive, culturally-rooted administration. Beyond efficiency, this initiative nurtures a deep cultural consciousness among public servants.

The Department aims to expand the training further in coming months, involving more departments and reaching rural administrative units where local language usage is vital.

📍 Organising Body: Department of Art and Culture, Goa
🗣️ Speaker: Vivek Naik, Director
📘 Program: Official Language Training for Government Employees

Books & Literature

Konkani Language Takes Centre Stage at Foundation Day of Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad in Pune

allycaralgoa

Pune, July 13, 2025: The spirit of unity and linguistic pride echoed through Nigdi, Chinchwad, as the Akhil Bharatiya Konkani Parishad celebrated its Foundation Day with a grand cultural and intellectual gathering. The event brought together language lovers, cultural leaders, and students from various parts of India under one common banner: the celebration and promotion of the Konkani language.

Delivering a powerful keynote address, chief guest Dr. Purnanand Chari questioned the deeper societal divides that persist. “If brothers from rival political parties can unite over the cause of language, then when will we be free from the chains of caste, region, religion, and script?” he asked. Dr. Chari also reminded the audience that Konkani is a language forged in the crucible of struggle and must continue to be nurtured wherever Konkani speakers reside.

Chairing the event, Melvyn Rodrigues, convenor of the Konkani Board at the Sahitya Akademi, highlighted the importance of individual responsibility in linguistic preservation. “If each person does their duty toward their language, no force can prevent its progress,” he said.

The ceremony included a heartfelt tribute to Late Rocky Miranda, who was posthumously conferred the Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag Lifetime Achievement Award. Accepting the award in the Miranda family’s absence, H. M. Pernal received it from Rodrigues on their behalf.

Prominent personalities such as Vijayanand Gaitonde, Dr. Vaman Naik, Isidore Dantas, Alfi Monteiro, and Dr. Ashwini Kulkarni were honoured with Kunbi shawls and mementoes for their contributions to various fields within the Konkani cultural sphere.

The event included a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Unity of Konkani People in India”, featuring speakers Titus Noronha, Anant Agni, and Remson Vaz, moderated by Ganadhish Prabhudesai.

The program was beautifully interspersed with cultural performances. Konkani songs were rendered by Gayatri Patil, Laxman Naik, and Rishabh Sathe, with musical support from Manohar Tamankar. The event was anchored by Govind Mopkar, Saisha Desai, and Anish Agni, while Sneha Sabnis, secretary of the Parishad, delivered the vote of thanks.

Co-organiser and Director of City Pride School, Dr. Deepali Sawai, expressed deep gratitude for hosting the event and reaffirmed her school’s support for future Konkani-related programs.

The Foundation Day served not only as a moment of celebration but also as a call to action — to preserve and elevate the Konkani language and community across states and generations.