The World Konkani Centre in Mangaluru is dedicated to safeguarding the endangered Konkani language, which faces the threat of extinction. Since 2009, the Konkani-speaking community has been actively working to revive their traditional language and instill a sense of pride in it among the younger generation. Renowned figures from the Konkani community have made significant contributions to various fields globally, including cinema, literature, and governance.
Efforts and Objectives
Founded by the late Basti Vaman Shenoy, hailing from Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, the World Konkani Centre aims to promote Konkani language and culture. Nand Gopal Shenoy, the President of the Centre, highlights the importance of financial support through grants to sustain their activities focused on language conservation. He stresses the need for both state and central governments to allocate funds, particularly for Konkani education.
Konkani Education Advocacy
Nand Gopal Shenoy emphasizes the significance of Konkani education within Karnataka, advocating for the appointment of Konkani teachers in schools and support for their salaries. He underlines that the Konkani-speaking population worldwide amounts to 35 to 40 lakhs, comprising various dialects and spanning across religions and communities.
Supporting Higher Education
The Vishwa Konkani Kendra, under the Centre’s umbrella, provides scholarships for higher education, particularly in engineering and medicine, amounting to approximately Rs 40 crore over the past 14 years. This initiative aims to empower the younger generation and uphold the intellectual legacy of Konkani people.
Cultural Conservation and Modern Initiatives
The Centre actively engages in initiatives such as literature promotion and manuscript preservation. It also supports the younger generation by funding their higher education. Furthermore, the establishment of a state-of-the-art studio enables the recording of YouTube channel videos, facilitating the dissemination of Konkani perspectives globally.
Call for Support
Nand Gopal Shenoy reiterates the necessity of financial aid through grants to fulfill the Centre’s mission of preserving language and culture, as constitutionally guaranteed. He urges governments at both levels to provide essential funding, particularly for Konkani education, to ensure the continuity of Konkani heritage.
