City-based Ganga Zuari Academy will hold a discussion on language diversity on February 21 near here as part of its efforts to blend the cultures of West Bengal and Goa which have several similarities including love for football, fish and folk.

“This is for the first time that Goa will celebrate ‘Mother Language Day’ wherein the discussions on ‘language diversity and a responsible society’ would be held,” Ganga-Zuari Academy president Ranadhir Mukhopadhyay told PTI today.

State Governor Mridula Sinha will inaugurate the event wherein Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly, Vishnu Wagh will deliver a talk on ‘Future of Language Diversity in India”.

Founded in 2007, the Academy is a not-for-profit cultural organisation which aims to encourage social harmony through inclusive cultural growth and is named after river Ganga and Goa’s own Zuari river.

Mukhopadhyay, a senior officer with National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), said the cultural body has helped in bridging the gap between people from eastern states living in Goa and the locals.

“There are thousands of people from Eastern states, especially from West Bengal, living in Goa. You can judge it from the fact that there are thirteen Durga poojas celebrated in Goa which are sponsored by local philanthropists,” he said.

He said the Academy is trying to blend Bengali and Goa cultures which have several similarities including love for football, fish and folk. “There are several words in Bengali which are similar to Konkani,” he added.

Mukhopadhyay said Bengalis were working here mostly in academic and managerial positions here during 80s and 90s.

“But now the situation has changed. You will find them in research field, hospitality and even construction industry of Goa,” he said.

The Academy has been instrumental in holding film festivals as a tribute to veterans like Rituparno Ghosh and Suchitra Sen.

Academy general secretary Ajanta Burman said, “the attempt is made to mix the culture of Bengal with Goa. It’s a unique blending”.

Burman, herself a dancer and artist, said the Academy was also active in teaching Konkani language to non-natives so that they can gel well with the sons-of-soil.

News Source – http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ganga-zuari-academy-to-hold-discussion-on-cultures-of-wb-goa-116021600825_1.html