The Goa Konkani Akademi (Goa Academy of Letters for Konkani) is an organization set up by the Government of Goa in 1986 to promote the Konkani language in the state of Goa. The aim is to accelerate the pace of development of the language by encouraging writers, researchers, etc, and to bring Konkani people from all regions together.[1]
Nature
editThe Goa Konkani Akademi was founded on 4 March 1986.[2] It is an autonomous body and has jurisdiction over the state of Goa.[3] It undertakes activities for the development and promotion of Konkani. GKA receives grants from the Government of Goa.[4]
The current Akademi President is Pundalik Naik (2002–present). Past presidents were Purushottam Kakodkar (1984-1996) and Uday Bhembre (1996-2002) respectively.[5]
Aims and objectives
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The Akademi was built with the purpose of promoting the growth of Konkani. Some of the major goals stated on its website are:
- To initiate, assist or undertake implementation of projects or schemes of research in the field of Konkani language, literature and culture.
- To initiate, assist or undertake publication in Konkani language, the results of such research.
- To initiate, assist or undertake publication in Konkani language of original and erudite papers, monographs, books, journal, as also of any other works in any other branch of knowledge.
The GKA carries out its activities under directions issued to it by the Government of Goa. It also assists the state Government in formulating various policies in regard to Konkani.[3]
Activities
editThe GKA conducts various activities
- Providing financial assistance(75% of cost) to the first book by a new author.
- Provides 50% financial assistance to publishers and purchases 100 copies of each book.
- Section on folklore
- Has undertaken a project to publish a dictionary-cum-encyclopedia in Konkani.
- Conducts a "Knowledge of Konkani" certificate test which is necessary for Government Jobs in Goa. Also has other certificate exams.
- Has organized a five-day annual cultural event since 1993.[3]
Organization structure
editThe Organization has various sections
- Education Section: Post-graduate and certificate courses; teacher training
- Lexicon Section: Creation of Konkani encyclopedia and dictionaries
- Folklore Section: collection of various media related to folklore
- Literature Section: Oversees various publication schemes
- Cultural Section: Drama, tiatr(theatre) and documentaries.[6]
Leadership
editFollowing have been the Presidents[7] of the GKA, since its inception.
| President | Date |
|---|---|
| Purushottam Kakodkar | 1984-1993 |
| Purushottam Kakodkar | 1993-1996 |
| Purushottam Kakodkar | 1996, Jan to Oct |
| Adv. Uday L. Bhembre | 1996-1999 |
| Adv. Uday L. Bhembre | 1999-2002 |
| Pundalik N. Naik | 2002-2005 |
| Pundalik N. Naik | 2005-2008 |
| N. Shivdas | 2009-2011 |
| Dilip Borkar | 2012 Jan-Apr |
| Pundalik N. Naik | 2012-2015 |
| Madhav Borkar | 2015-2017 |
| Director, directorate of Official Language | 2017-2019 |
| Suresh Gundu Amonkar | 2019 |
Criticism
editThe GKA has been accused of being biased against Konkani publications in the Roman script in the past. Another demand has been that the GKA should be headed by persons of both the major communities in Goa (Hindus and Christians) by rotation.[8]
In March 2017, three prominent members of the GKA committee—Chairman Madhav Borkar, Vice Chairman Jose Lourenco and member Kamlakar Mhalshi—quit their posts "citing issues in receiving funds from the government to conduct various Konkani language promotion programmes."[9]
There have been controversies over the some books that the GKA has turned down or declined to support.[10]
The GKA has a book publishing programme, but visibility of the books produced is seen as probably insufficient to what could be possible. One reason could be the "low-price, no-distributor-margins policy" as being responsible for the lack of interest by distributors, and hence low readership of its books.[11]
Location
editThe Goa Konkani Akademi's office is situated at Patto Colony, Panaji, Goa.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Goa Konkani Akademi". Retrieved 1 June 2009.
- ^ de Noronha, Lourenço. "GOENCHIM KONKNNI GAIONAM". Retrieved 3 June 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Citizens' Charter Goa Konkani Akademi". Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
- ^ "Fifth Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa" (PDF). Retrieved 3 June 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Officers Of Goa Konkani Akademi". Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
- ^ "GKA". Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
- ^ "List of President, Vice-President and Secretary till date | Konkani Academy". konkaniakademi.goa.gov.in. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ Lopes, Nelson. "Konkaniworld - Script for Konkani". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
- ^ "Konkani Akademi Chairman, dy quit". oHeraldo. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ "'Poetry, for me, is an archive of social relations'". The Indian Express. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
- ^ Noronha, Frederick. "Learn Konkani, the Romi way". Retrieved 3 June 2009.
External links
edit- Goa Konkani Akademi website Archived 5 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine