Noted Konkani scholar and former acting vice-chancellor of the Goa University, Dr Olivinho Gomes passed away after a brief illness on Thursday. He was 66 years old.  

Dr Gomes, who was also an Indian Revenue Service official and held the post of additional collector of customs, quit his high profile job in the central government organisation and joined the Goa University as professor and head of Konkani department. He was a prolific author and a great supporter of the Konkani language. 

As a winner of Dempo Fellowship, Dr Gomes had written a book on communidades. He had also authored several other books including one book on Chandor entitled “Village Goa”. He was also an expert on Konkani culture and music. 

The convenor of Romi Lipi Action Front, Mr Wilson Mazarello condoled the death of Dr Gomes. 

In a press release, the front convenor said that Dr Gomes was a professor of Konkani who 

had strongly felt that the Roman script could go hand-in-hand with Devnagari script to take Konkani to greater heights.