It was nice to be present for the “DALGADO PUROSKAR 2013” prize distribution function on 6thof this month at Kala Academy, Panjim. Since its inception, Dalgado Konknni Academy and Kuwait Goans have a good link and this link was created thru Kuwait Konknni Kendr – Kuwait when KKK assisted DKA with a donation of about 25,000 Rupees and also by enrolling of KKK members as life members of DKA including this writer. Kuwait Konknni Kendr and Dalgado Academy are the strong protagonists and promoters of Romi Konkani that was denied its rightful place by our so called brothers in the Konkani movement that is Nagrivadis. The movement in eighties for the cause of recognition of Konkani was spearheaded by overwhelming majority of Romi Konkani supporters. In fact Konkani as a language is kept alive by the Romivadis with the strong backing of the Church. By organizing Church rites in Romi Konkani, Christians of Goa are brought closer to Konkani and it was this Goan Christian community as a whole that supported the Konkani movement in eighties by attending the public rallies and public meetings.
During this Konkani movement there were so many Nagri supporters in Kuwait in particular and in other parts of the Gulf in general but none participated in this movement whereas this writer a Romi Konkani protagonist especially came down to Goa and participated in the public rallies in Panjim, received Lathis from Rane’s Ghantti policemen and even remained on hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Panjim for this cause. Besides, Kuwait based Romi Konknni supporters joined together and donated a huge sum of money to organize this movement and also of KPA. The efforts of Romi Konknnivadis for the cause of Konkani movement cannot be downgraded. If today Konkani is enjoying the official status then the major credit should go to the efforts made by the Romivadis. This fact cannot be eradicated from the history.
During the Dalgado Puroskar 2013 celebration, in his speech Fr. Conceicao D’Silva expressed his disgust over the denial of due recognition to Romi Konkani thru the chicanery of Nagri Konknni stalwarts spearheaded by Uday Bhembro. Later on during the same function delivering his speech as a chief guest, Mr. Vinayak Naik, the editor of Goa’s prestigious monthly magazine Goa Today in his hard hitting attack said that the Konknni that is used by the Nagrivadis is not Konknni but half Marathi by quoting some words from Sunaprant. Further he lamented the selfish attitude of Nagrivadis to deny Sahitya Academy Literary Awards to Romi writers. In one word he condemned the Nagrivadis for denying the Romivadis their due rights when they fought more gallantly for the cause of Konkani. Besides Romivadis had unique distinction of producing Martyrs for the cause of Konkani.
Now, in view of above, I feel it is time now for all the Romivadis to severe their relationship with Nagrivadis who are responsible for denying Romi Konkani its due place. Nagrivadis like Uday Bhembros should be boycotted from the midst of Romi circle. Nagrivadis strengthened their position on the all round support provided to them by the Romivadis.
Very few Romivadis have interacted with Nagrivadis as this writer did during his deep involvement in Konkani movement from Kuwait for the last so many years and by observing their nature I found them to be like Zionists. The way the Zionists feel superior among Arab Palestinians in the same way Nagrivadis feel they are superior and Romivadis inferior. Nagriadis are traitors because they have betrayed the Romivadis with a Judas Kiss. Nagrivadis are robbers because they have robbed the Romivadis of their due credit for which they should never be forgiven.
Meantime, we as Romivadis must carry on with our campaign with greater vigour to get Romi Konkani its due place. Until then we must treat Nagrivadis as number One enemy of Romivadis. In this tussle, Romivadis stand to lose nothing but only the gains they stand to win.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim,
Goa.