The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Konkani to be made third language in schools

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 29, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Konkani to be made third language in schools

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister directs officials to place the subject before Cabinet

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that Konkani would be made the third language of study in schools, fulfilling one of the long-pending demands of Konkani-speaking people in the State.

Felicitating Sirtadi William Pinto, advocate; Lawrence M.H. Mendonca, Dubai-based industrialist; and Robinson D' Souza, Principal Secretary, Karnataka Legislature, for their achievements in their respective fields at the annual day celebrations of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations at the St. Joseph's Indian High School here, the Chief Minister said that he had directed the officials concerned to place the subject before the Cabinet for discussion.

Promise

Referring to the complaint by Archbishop of Bangalore Bernard Moras on incidents of attack on Christians and churches, Mr. Kumaraswamy promised that his Government would give protection to all sections of society in the State.

"My aim is to serve the people, particularly the poor, and not sticking to power," he said. Expressing regret for his failure to attend a tea party hosted by Rev. Moras here on the occasion of Christmas, the Chief Minister said on that day he was held up at a function at Sira in Tumkur district and he had no intention of absenting himself from the function.

General secretary of the federation Charles Homes urged the Chief Minister to give representation to the Christian, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities while filling posts of chairmen of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission and the Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation. He said all governments had been favouring only one community to the posts of chairmen after the establishment of the two organisations. He demanded that a Christian be made member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission.

Replying to these demands, the Chief Minister said that his Government would positively respond to the federation.

Mr. Pinto has to his credit 12 works on Constitution, land reforms and panchayat raj.

He has organised 75 sessions on the Constitutional rights of people, including minorities.

Mr. Lawrence has several industries in Dubai providing employment to over 1,000 people.

President of the federation M. Fernandes and Gabriel Vaz, journalist, were present.

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Karnataka