The Big Goan - Goa Holiday Blog

Twentieth of August saw the inclusion of Konkani in the eight schedule of the constitution and the day was celebrated by all lovers of the language. However for many Goans, especially the Catholics of Goa, the day was a non-event. These same Goans had strived and fought for the inclusion of the language in the eight schedule but now after 17 years of its inclusion all they can feel is a sincere betrayal by the stubborn lobby of the Devnagri konkani supporters who seem to have lost their vision for the wholesome support of the language.

In the name of Devnagri Konkani all attempts have been successfully made by this lobby to stifle the voices of the lovers of Romi Konkani which is the language spoken by Catholics in Goa in their everyday life. Devnagri Konkani is however spoken among the Hindus of Goa. While we must respect the wishes of our Hindu brethren in Goa to use Devnagri, the same compliment needs to be extended to the catholic community in Goa by accepting that Roman Konkani be given a similar status as its sister Devnagri.

However instead of doing that, our Devnagri brothers have insisted that it is the only script to follow which is a dictatorial attitude. catholic children find it hard to digest devnagri Konkani and yet it is being forced down their throats in the government aided primary schools as a medium of instruction.

To a great extent, the fault lies with the people who inserted the meticulous note of including the language of Konkani for official purposes in Goa - in Devnagri only.  This was a complete betrayal to the aspirations of the people who were actually fighting for the dual cause of Konkani in Devnagri and Romi. However the former won and the Romi lovers are currently running from pillar to post to make their voices heard. To no avail.

The clergy in Goa is also silent on the issue and despite the medium of speech and instruction in the Church of Goa being Romi Konkani, this silence and lack of interest to pursue this matter is highly surprising.In contrast, the Hindu political elite of Goa have had their way.

It is therefore our right to the language that needs to be exercised in all forums and the government of Goa needs to stop ignoring the genuine pleas of Romi konkani lovers, an issue which is threatening to influence an ugly divide in the Goan community. we Goans need to therefore stand up and speak for our script of Konkani without being drowned under bogey of Konkani only in Devnagri.

Goa ushers in another day of Valentine's. The first morning sign of Valentine having set  in today is the splash of messages in the morning Newspapers. Every message was an outpouring of love and romance. Leading newspapers in Goa had already launched a competition weeks in advance, which is a regular feature year on year to speak out feelings of love for Goans to capitalise on their emotions and that too for good prizes at stake.

Valentine's day has therefore been hugely accepted in Goa as the rest of the world, as a day that celebrates romantic love and everything associated with it and in modern times has expanded its theory to include all kinds of relationships - friends, family, schoolmates, college pals, colleagues at work etc and is generously expressed through wishes, cards, dining out, dance occasions, and simply doing the theme thing that Valentine's day is so well known for - DATING.

Over the years Goa has seen the Valentines' spirit soaring year after year and adding more and more commercial sense into the establishment of Goa.. Fluffy hearts tend to greet you at entrances of many shops while also hanging out from ceilings and doorways. the shops are mostly lined with Valentine memorabilia and decorations adorn the insides of shops to give the feeling of a Valentine festival. Also card shops are not the only ones to fall victim to cupids favourite dressing. We do have confectionery shops, music stores, coffee shops, theaters, jewellery and watch shops etc gleefully sporting the Valentine look.

Card shops however take the cake while decorating and sprucing up the shop with the most extensive decoration and also painting the exteriors including the transparent glass doors and stuffing the entire shop with Valentine merchandise. Lip-smacking offers in all kinds of other shops have also made this day and the previous evening ( 13th february) a busy day for commercial establishments.

The state eateries are normally packed with couples gazing deeply into each others eyes as if they were eye specialists, while the ordered food is given the least importance. holding hands and playing toey-toey are a few other liberties freely expressed in the light of the romance brewing quite often.

In schools and colleges Valentine's day has caught up to stir the imagination of students and exchanging cards and wishes is part of the campus drill. Many often find love at a very young age and therefore need to be more careful though. Valentines' day should not be the reason for any untoward experiences.

The media as pointed out earlier has pitched in fully into this feverish feeling that the world of Goa is savouring and radio is not far behind either with dedications pouring by the thousands.

All in all, the day is going to be a hectic one for many in Goa indeed. happy valentine's day to one and all.