Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) has approached Congress manifesto committee chairperson and MP Viriato Fernandes seeking the party’s support for the recognition and promotion of Romi Konkani.
A delegation of the Abhiyan, led by president Kennedy Afonso and comprising secretary Michael Gracias and vice president Joaquim Faleiro, met Fernandes on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum outlining two key demands.
The GRLA wants Romi Konkani to be granted equal status under Goa’s Official Language Act and seeks its introduction in schools as an optional language for students, in line with the provisions of the New Education Policy.
During the interaction, the delegation explained its concerns over the continued preservation and promotion of the Romi Konkani script. Fernandes discussed the matter with the representatives and assured them that he would examine the demands in consultation with the Congress Manifesto Committee.
GRLA secretary Michael Gracias said Fernandes gave the delegation an opportunity to present its views and assured them that the party would explore possible ways to take up the issue.
Welcoming the response, GRLA treasurer Ansh Bandekar said the organisation hoped the Congress would address the demands seriously and incorporate them into its forthcoming manifesto.
He said such a step would help provide equal recognition and opportunities to Konkani written in its different scripts while strengthening efforts to preserve the Romi script.
