Tag: Goa Government

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.

Events in Goa

Goa Honours Outstanding Educators with CM-Vashishtha Guru Puraskar on Teachers’ Day 2024 – 25

Tanisha Cardozo

On the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2024, the Government of Goa paid tribute to educators across the state by conferring the CM-Vashishtha Guru Puraskar 2024-25 upon 10 outstanding teachers and school leaders. This annual honour, presented by the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, recognizes exemplary service in the field of education across various levels.

The awards were presented across multiple categories. In the Primary Teacher category, Ms. Chhaya Vaijanath Bokade from North Goa and Shri Kamalakar Vishwas Desai from South Goa were recognized. In the Secondary Teacher category, the honours went to Ms. Manjiri Dattaprasad Jog and Shri Rajmohan Ramnath Shetye from North Goa, as well as Shri Kalidas K. Satardekar and Ms. Mamata Tatoba Patil from South Goa.

Shri Gurudas S. Palkar from North Goa and Ms. Aurora D’Souza from South Goa received the award in the High School Headmaster category. In the Higher Secondary Teacher category, Shri Sunil Jagannath Shet was recognised for his pan-Goa contribution, and in the Higher Secondary Principal category, Ms. Cintia Maria Borges e Abranches was felicitated for her academic leadership and service.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to all educators in Goa for inspiring generations of students, nurturing values, and contributing to the state’s educational and social development. He emphasized that teachers remain the true torchbearers of knowledge and appealed to students to carry forward the wisdom and principles imparted by their mentors.

The Teachers’ Day celebration in Goa not only honoured individual excellence but also reinforced the importance of the teaching community in shaping a compassionate, educated, and progressive society.

Sports

Goa Government to Honour ‘The Monte Cruz Stand’ in PJN Stadium, Fatorda

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Government of Goa has officially announced a fitting tribute to late former Sports Minister Francisco Monte Cruz, by naming a stand at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, after him. This recognition comes on the occasion of his first death anniversary, honouring the man who was responsible for the construction of the iconic stadium in a record 180 days between 1988 and 1989.

The PJN Stadium, inaugurated on January 19, 1989, continues to be a vibrant hub for major football matches and sports events in the state. Its existence owes much to Monte Cruz’s foresight, dedication, and leadership, which made it one of Goa’s proudest sports infrastructure projects.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and the Government of Goa have initiated the implementation of a long-standing resolution moved by Minister Digambar Kamat in the State Assembly, which called for the naming of a stand in the stadium after Monte Cruz. The resolution has finally come to life this year, ensuring that Monte Cruz’s contributions will be forever remembered by generations to come.

The announcement ceremony saw the presence of Monte Cruz’s family members, including his son Vijay Monte Cruz and daughter Hema Monte Cruz, who were present to witness the emotional and symbolic gesture. Both expressed their pride in seeing their father’s efforts officially recognised by the state.

The stand naming project is expected to resume within the next two weeks, following coordination and assistance from the Chief Minister’s office. This event not only commemorates the memory of Francisco Monte Cruz but also underscores the importance of honouring visionary leaders who have shaped the state’s legacy through infrastructure and public service.

As Goa continues to grow as a centre for national and international football, the Monte Cruz Stand will stand tall — a reminder of a man who built a stadium, and with it, a part of Goa’s sporting identity.

EduConnect

Over 8,000 Central Govt Jobs in Goa Linked to Konkani Language Status: Sandesh Prabhudesai

Tanisha Cardozo

In a compelling address at the 33rd Rashtramanyatai Dis held at S S Angle Higher Secondary School, Mashem, Canacona, veteran journalist and researcher Sandesh Prabhudesai brought to light a significant but overlooked employment opportunity for the youth of Goa: more than 8,000 central government and bank jobs that remain unutilized, despite being accessible under existing language policies due to Konkani’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Prabhudesai pointed out that once a language is listed in the Eighth Schedule, the three-language formula (Hindi, English, and the regional language) comes into effect for public-facing roles in central institutions. In Goa, this should mean that any central or public-sector job that involves interaction with the public — from post offices to banks — requires proficiency in Konkani, and such staff cannot be transferred outside the state.

He cited the President’s Order of 1960, which mandates that all signage, publications, and public communications in central offices and banks must be in Hindi, English, and the regional language — Konkani in Goa’s case. “This rule is followed all over India, but not in Goa. Our youth have lost 33 years of job opportunities because the state government has failed to implement this,” Prabhudesai remarked.

He further explained that under the Official Language Resolution of 1968, the Parliament has required that all laws, rules, orders, and circulars be translated into the regional language. This not only enhances accessibility and inclusivity but could also create hundreds of translator jobs, especially with national publishers like the National Book Trust, who are mandated to translate literature into scheduled languages.

Goa has close to 1,000 such establishments, including 42 central and semi-government institutions, 258 post offices, and nearly 700 bank branches. Prabhudesai emphasized that even training and examinations for such posts should be conducted in Konkani to ensure fair access for local candidates.

He concluded by calling out the Goa government for its long-standing inaction, urging them to leverage these constitutionally backed provisions to create meaningful employment and linguistic justice for Goan youth.

The event was organized by Kankon Konkani Kala Kendra and S S Angle Higher Secondary School, with Principal Hemant Kamat welcoming the guests. Suraj Komarpant, Secretary of KKKK, introduced the speaker. Abhijeet Pagi, a Konkani teacher, also addressed the gathering, and veteran Konkani writer Kamalakar Mhalshi delivered the vote of thanks.