Mangalore: Ronald S.A. Castelino – popularly known as Roy Castelino – who has been appointed President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, plans to focus on Konkani education, which he believes is important to promote the language, its culture and literature.

He said he would have the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy focus on three areas: Konkani education in schools, development of Konkani literature and development of Konkani culture. “Unless our children learn Konkani, they will not be able to produce good Konkani literature and develop our culture,” he said.

Another priority is that the academy should have an inclusive character, especially since Konkani is a language spoken by a cross-section of people, with 41 communities speaking the language across three religions. He said, “Everyone should be given equal opportunity under one umbrella irrespective of their beliefs.”

Mr. Castelino, a businessperson in the construction sector since 1985 in the city, headed Konkani Prachar Sanchalan, a Mangalore-based nongovernmental organisation, which promoted Konkani in schools. The NGO worked toward getting Konkani introduced in 55 primary schools and 28 high schools in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.