Tag: Directorate of Official Language

EduConnect

NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar Inaugurates Short-Term Technical Translation Course at Marcel

Tanisha Cardozo

NRI Commissioner Adv. Narendra Sawaikar inaugurated a week-long Short-Term Certificate Course in Technical Translation organized by the Directorate of Official Language in association with the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola, held at Marcel. The initiative aims to provide participants with enhanced technical translation skills, strengthening their proficiency in multiple languages and promoting professional and academic development in the field of translation.

The course is part of a broader effort by the Directorate of Official Language to enhance linguistic capabilities among students and professionals in Goa, enabling them to navigate the growing need for accurate and effective technical translation in education, administration, and industry.

By combining theory with practical exercises, the week-long program offers participants hands-on experience in translating technical documents, thereby preparing them to meet professional standards in multilingual communication. The collaboration with Government College Khandola ensures that academic guidance complements practical training, creating a robust learning environment for all attendees.

Through such initiatives, Goa continues to foster skill development and multilingual proficiency, equipping its youth and professionals to contribute meaningfully to both local and global contexts.

Books & Literature

Zilu Gaonkar Urges Citizens to Use Govt Schemes and Promote Konkani Language

Tanisha Cardozo

Konkani writer, publisher, and teacher Zilu Gaonkar made a compelling appeal for citizens to adopt Konkani in their day-to-day lives and correspondence while encouraging greater awareness and use of government-supported language schemes. Speaking at a special Seva Pakhwada awareness program held at Government College, Khandola, he emphasized that the Directorate of Official Language provides Konkani language training for government employees and that it is now time for the public to follow suit by promoting and preserving the language through daily use.

The event was organized by the Directorate of Official Language in collaboration with the college and aimed to spread awareness of various language development schemes under the guidance of Goa’s Chief Minister and Minister for Official Language, Dr. Pramod Sawant.

Dr. Seema Salgaonkar, Vice Principal of Government College, welcomed the gathering and noted that preserving our mother tongue is a responsibility that lies with each of us. Meghnath Parab, Director of the Directorate of Official Language, cited the example of Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar, a distinguished figure from Mashel who received his early education in his mother tongue and went on to achieve national prominence.

Deputy Director Anil Sawant provided detailed insights into key schemes run by the department including “Amcho Gãv, Amchi Parampara, Ani Amchem Daiz” (Our Village, Our Traditions, and Our Heritage), the Language Development Scheme, and the Language Awards Scheme.

Senior Translator Seby Fernandes discussed the opportunities available in language-related careers in India and explained the work being done at the Directorate. Junior Translator Sneha Sabnis highlighted efforts in terminology creation and the translation of knowledge-based books into Konkani, making academic and professional content more accessible in the regional language.

Anil Sawant also expressed his thanks to all participants and attendees. The event was anchored by Konkani Professor Kiran Palkar and Hindi Professor Sachi Naik, with a large presence of students, faculty members, and parents — showing that language revival and promotion remain a shared concern across generations.

EduConnect

Konkani Words Will Disappear If Not Used”: Prasad Volvoikar at 7th Batch of Govt. Training

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa, inaugurated the 7th batch of Konkani training for government employees on September 16, 2025, at the Language Research Centre, Panaji.

The four-day program, running from September 16 to 19, aims to strengthen the use of Konkani in administration. 28 government employees have enrolled in this batch. The sessions will focus on Konkani grammar, official correspondence, administrative vocabulary, notings, and conversation skills.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Guest Shri Prasad Volvoikar, Director of the Public Grievances Department, stressed the urgency of language preservation:

“All government employees should take full advantage of this training programme. Konkani should be used as much as possible in administrative work because if Konkani words are not used, they will disappear.”

Also present at the ceremony were Shri Meghanath Parab, Director of Official Language, and Shri Anil Sawant, Deputy Director of Official Language. Director Parab highlighted the Directorate’s mission of ensuring the maximum use of Konkani as the official language in governance.

Following the completion of this batch, the 8th batch of training will be held from September 22 to 25, 2025, at the Language Research Centre, Panaji, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

This initiative reflects the Government of Goa’s continued commitment to preserving Konkani, not just as a cultural identity, but as a living and functioning administrative language.

Events in Goa

Konkani Language Training Gains Momentum Among Government Staff in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The Directorate of Official Language, Goa, inaugurated the sixth batch of its Official Language in Administration training program today in Margao. A total of 26 government employees from various departments are participating in the four-day training, which is designed to improve the use of Konkani—the state’s official language—in administrative work.

The training focuses on core areas such as basic Konkani grammar, official correspondence, administrative vocabulary, noting in Konkani, and practical conversation for day-to-day functioning in government offices. Conducted in an immersive, classroom-style format, the program is part of the government’s larger effort to integrate the use of Konkani in formal communication and governance.

Speaking at the event, Salcete Mamlatdar Gaurav Gaonkar emphasized the importance of language in identity and public service. “We learn regional languages in school but rarely use our mother language or official language when working in government. Government employees will benefit from Konkani training,” he said.

The initiative has seen consistent participation, reflecting growing awareness and willingness among government employees to adopt Konkani in their professional roles. With the sixth batch underway, the Directorate has also announced that the seventh and eighth batches of training will begin shortly. The seventh batch will commence on 16th September and the eighth batch on 22nd September. Both sessions will be held at the Language Research Centre, Directorate of Official Language, located on the 5th floor of Junta House in Panaji. Each session will run from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

This program is a significant step toward the normalization of Konkani in government administration, aligning policy with cultural and linguistic identity. The Directorate aims to empower public servants with the tools and confidence to use Konkani effectively in their official capacities, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility in governance.

Books & Literature

Directorate of Official Language declares ‘Bhasha Puraskar’

allycaralgoa

The Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa has announced the Bhasha Puraskar for the years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

The 2022-2023 ‘Dnyanpeeth awardee Ravindra Kelekar Konkani Bhasha Puraskar’ has been declared to Shri. Manikrao Ram Nayak Gaunekar, 2023-2024 ‘Dnyanpeeth Ravindra Kelekar Konkani Bhasha Puraskar’ has been announced to Shri. Suresh Ramchandra Pai, 2024-2025 ‘Dnyanpeeth Ravindra Kelekar Konkani Bhasha Puraskar’ has been declared to Shri. Bhiku Bomi Naik, has been declared.

The 2022-2023 ‘B. D. Satoskar Marathi Bhasha Puraskar’ to Shri. Shambhu Bhau Bandekar. 2023-2024‘B. D. Satoskar Marathi Bhasha Puraskar’ to Shri. Anil Gajanan Samant has been declared. 2024-2025 ‘B. D. Satoskar Marathi Bhasha Puraskar’ to Shri. Ramesh D. Onskar has been declared.

A five-member selection committee of experts appointed by the government has selected the above persons for their outstanding contribution for the promotion and development of Konkani, Marathi languages from the several nominations received by this Directorate.

The ‘Bhasha Puraskar Yojana’ is implemented for the development of languages through the Directorate of Official Language. The award is given to individuals who have worked for the Konkani, Marathi languages throughout their lives. The objective of the Government is to put the example of such great personalities before the people and to honour the writers and recognise their work for the growth of the language. The awards will be presented at a special function at the hands of Honourable Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on 30th May 2025 at                 10:00 am at Kala Akademy, Panaji Campal Goa.