10 points for the new CM in favour of English medium (747 words)
…By Kalidas Laxman
Why not English MOI???
1. The politicians, real and pseudo, hunting desperately for issues have
politicalized the MOI issue and made it emotional. My articles in Herald on
Konkani (December 14th, 2010 and January 26, 2011) have
unfortunately given them something to do in their lack-a-luster life. Parents,
the factual stakeholders aspiring for their children a bright and promising
future want English medium of instruction
2. Goa, as is in the education field, cannot fulfill the
multidimensional and multifarious aspirations of all its community groups (related
to cast, religion and trans-India) where in the population of 1.3million, >600,000
are non-Goans. At the most it can only make 1.3 million copies of what we have
in Goa, people with pond mentality. Kindly note these 600,000 are going to have
their own demands in the next elections
3. The people at the level of handicaps would be (in decreasing order, a
to c)
a. Backward tribes and SC/ST from all religions
b. Low income groups, Konkani/Marathi M.O.I. students, people with no
trans-Goa cultural background i.e. those who do not have connect with other
states and cities in India, for ex. Mumbai, Bangalore
c. People who do not have guidance from educated teachers/schools or
family members higher up in the societal ladder
Ironically, both Tomazinho
Cardozo and Shashikala Kakodkar call themselves champions of the lower strata
of the society but above three points indicate it is these very three sections
of Bahujan Samaj among Hindus and Catholics, which are at losers end if English
(MOI) schools do not get grant
4. The knowledge/intellectual pool of Goa remains largely unchanged
without new ideas and innovations making entry in the Goan psyche. Example is
Konkani literature, which is bereft of out of the box thinking still revolving mainly
around romance, caste politics and job/work culture. It does not try to
unshackle the family straitjacket and moral, sexual and social rigidity with
innovative solutions. There are very few thought provoking literature forms
such as essays, research and reports in Nagari Konkani, though they have
existed in Romi Konkani for over 200 years, but Romi Konkani is not accepted by
Hindus!
5. Government having developmental vision of at least 50 to 100 years
down the line truly leads the state. This has unfortunately not happened in Goa
when the MGP and later Congress led Goans for 50 years. As a simple example,
the 18th June road, the main arterial road of the capital where Junta House was
constructed in early seventies was without any space left for road widening,
the history is repeating itself everywhere in Goa, or, look at Mapusa where the
growth has been only cancerous. Its roads are exactly as the Portuguese left it
except for the new Khorlim bypass from Ximer to Asagaon (remarkably, during the
tenure of Mr. Parrikar the last time around) and for Ganesh Puri and St
Xavier’s college. All along, the self-centric politicians have been the sole
leaders in Goa with the mindset of shepherds guided by the caste cattle.
Freedom of MOI is like opening up of an institution without discrimination
since all classes of the society get equal chances. Why a Gowda, a scheduled
caste person or a Kunbi with low income should not study in English? Can Bharatiya
Bhasha Sanrakshan Manch (BBSM) give a valid answer to this?
6. MOI disturbance serves as an activity for jobless politicians and social
activists in Goa. What is the visionary and intellectual contribution of
leaders of the BBSM in Goa, since 1961?
7. It is an unrealistic fear of art and culture sections such as stage
and literature that they would not be appreciated if MOI in English is
implemented. This class forgets that even in Portuguese times with curtailment
of Konkani and all things local, the language, folk songs and art survived. Unfortunately,
stark facts say even languages such as Hindi and Bangla have their limitations
i.e. to keep up to the pace of development. The only possible progress would be
in the direction of indigenous prospects, not international.
8. Giving grants to English medium schools is not stopping grants to
local languages. Education in English has nothing to do with art, culture and
literature in local language. Language leaves as long as the people love it
9. If only rich and privileged people have access to English, we are
creating a new much domineering caste based on haves and have-nots of
opportunities. Even the people from the uppermost caste, the Brahmins would
serve under this modern elite caste
10. It is wrong, negative and fascist way to say ‘DO NOT’ give grants
to English medium schools
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