In the linguistic landscape of India, Konkani stands as a testament to plurality and excess—a language that refuses to be neatly contained within the boundaries of standardization. Yet, the process of “Nagrization,” the imposition of the Devanagari (Nagri) script as the singular, official medium for Konkani, seeks to expel this excess, viewing it as a “too much” that must...
Scripto-Centric Thinking and the Machine of Desire
In the lush, contested linguistic landscape of Konkani, where the winds of the Arabian Sea carry echoes of Portuguese hymns and Vedic chants, a spectral tension simmers beneath the surface. Konkani, the vibrant Dravidian-Indo-Aryan tongue spoken across Goa, coastal Karnataka, and Maharashtra, has long been a battleground for scripts—a polyphonic chorus of Roman, Devanagari, Kannada, Perso- Arabic and Malayalam...
The Lingering Shadows of Amnesia in world of Konkani
In the rich network of Indian linguistic heritage, few stories illustrate the perils of cultural forgetting as poignantly as the ongoing saga of Konkani. Drawing from Ganesh N. Devy’s profound critique in After Amnesia: Tradition and Change in Indian Literary Criticism, we can uncover a deliberate process of erasure that threatens the vitality of this vibrant language. Devy’s concept...
Coal Handling and BJP’s Corporate Servitude
In the idyllic state of Goa, celebrated for its golden beaches, swaying palms, and vibrant biodiversity, a grim battle is unfolding. The serene landscapes that draw millions of tourists annually are under threat from coal transportation projects that critics say are turning the state into a hub for industrial exploitation. At the heart of this controversy is Vijai Sardesai,...
Goa’s Coal Crisis: Corporate Power and Creative Resistance
In 1995, David Korten’s book “When Corporations Rule the World” warned that multinational corporations prioritize profit over people, exploiting communities and environments while undermining local governance. Korten’s vision of corporate dominance eroding democracy and sustainability resonates powerfully in Goa today, where the state is being transformed into a coal hub. The expansion of coal handling, railway double-tracking, and transportation...
Goa Under Siege: How Coal Threatens Health and Heritage
Goa, India’s coastal jewel, is renowned for its sun-kissed beaches, lush greenery, and vibrant cultural heritage. Yet, beneath this idyllic facade, a troubling transformation is underway. The state is increasingly becoming a conduit for coal—a polluting commodity that enriches a handful of powerful corporations while jeopardizing the health and well-being of its people. The expansion of coal handling at...
The Dynamics of the Eye of Power and the Power of the Eye: The Case of Tourism in Goa
I. Introduction Tourism, often likened to a pilgrimage, draws millions of travellers to experience the essence of a land, its culture, and its people. In this adventurous journey, tourists arrive as pilgrims, their expectations shaped by what Michel Foucault terms the “informed gaze,” a mechanism that intertwines knowledge and power to frame their perceptions of the visited destination. In...
Why Renaming St. Joseph Vaz Risks Casteism Over True Cultural Integration
A recent proposal by some Goan Catholic groups suggests referring to St. Joseph Vaz, the beloved 17th-century missionary, as “St. Joseph Naik Vaz.” They argue that adding “Naik,” supposedly tied to his family’s ancestral identity, would honor Goan heritage and boost evangelization efforts in India. However, this idea is deeply flawed. Rather than reflecting genuine cultural integration, it subtly...
De-Scripting Konkani: A Philosophical Walk Toward Cultural Liberation
In the lush coastal landscapes of Goa, the rolling hills of Karnataka, and the vibrant communities of Maharashtra, the Konkani language flows like a river, carrying the stories, songs, and spirit of its people. Yet, this river has often been channeled into rigid scripts—both literal and metaphorical—that seek to define and confine its course. From colonial legacies to post-independence...
The Shifting Sands of India’s Moral Landscape: A New Normal
India, a nation long celebrated for its vibrant diversity, rich cultural heritage, and deep-rooted moral traditions, is undergoing a profound transformation. The metaphorical “widow” of India’s societal conscience—once a symbol of empathy, justice, and moral clarity—appears to have been overturned. The values that once defined the nation’s collective ethos, such as compassion, integrity, and a commitment to non-violence, seem...
