Mangalore : Rajdeep Sardesai Unveils Portrait of his Father at World Konkani Centre
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - FR

Mangalore, Mar 6: Rajdeep Sardesai,Editor-in-Chief of CNN-IBN today inaugurated the Andar Vittal Kini and Smt Rukmini V Kini Vishwa Konkani Keerthi Mandir (Hall of fame) and  unveiled the portrait of his father eminent cricket player late Dilip Sardesai, at Vishwa Konkani Centre at Shakthi Nagar, Mangalore.  His wife Senior Editor of CNN-IBN Sagarika Ghosh, was the guest of honour on the occasion garlanded the portrait of Dilip Sardesai.   

It was celebration at World Konkani Centre (WKC) which also saw the commissioning of Fabien B L Colaco & Alice Colaco Institute of Konkani Language (Research and Studies)   by Sardesai and the inauguration of “Bhandasaal” (ethnic Konkani Shoppe)  by Ramdas Kamath U, Senior Vice President, Infosys Technologies.  

Speaking on the occasion an emotional Rajdeep Sardesai said “my father passed away in 2007 but you have brought him back to me.  The portrait you have presented to me will always remain in my house and in my heart for ever”.  He further added “despite my father attaining fame as an international cricketer he was more proud to be a Goan.  He was the only Goan to have played cricket for India”. Rajdeep recalled that Dilip Sardesai had scored highest runs in West Indies it reminded him of Goa where he had roots and said jocularly Dilip Sardesai always like his rice and fish curry and today he would definitely savour his rice and fish curry”.

Talking about language Sardesai pointed out that language unites people.  Despite efforts by many to create a divide among people language does a fantastic job of uniting people irrespective of caste, religion or creed.  He lauded the efforts of World Konkani Centre for their efforts to preserve Konkani language, art and culture and for providing an identity for Konkani speaking people. “There is no centre like this in Maharashtra or Goa.  In fact WKC can become a one stop shop for all the Konkani speaking people of these states”.  He stressed the need to preserve the Konkani heritage for posterity so as to acquaint them of the past.  He said coming to Mangalore was a privilege as he enjoyed being away from politicians and being surrounded by nice human beings of Mangalore  and said  “identity is critical as it helps us to preserve the culture for the next generation.  Without identity we are all lost”.  

Sagarika Ghosh was overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality she got from the people of Mangalore and said she would keep coming to Mangalore often at least for the fish curry rice Mangalore is famous for.  

In his welcome speech Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy said World Konkani Centre was established to cater to the wants, needs and aspirations of Konkani bretheren spread across the globe. He said the first phase of the WKC that includes Library, museum, conventional threatre, World Institute of Konkani Language and Culture is complete and the second phase of construction would commence soon. 

Ramdas Kamath of Infosys stressed on the need to undertake research on Konkni language, culture, art and literature and said “it is a tragedy that we are getting Konkani books for research from University of Chacago.  We have not paid any attention to retain our language and rich history of this country.  He also pointed out the need to do a thorough research on Konkani people’s role in trade and commerce in the 17th centre.  “We need to revive this and find out what went wrong when we were at the top which can be known only through research”, he stated.  

Ramdas  Kini, sponsorer of the  World Konkani Hall of fame said more than money it was the willingness which play a major role in achieving  certain things in life.  IGP of Western Range Gopal Hosur, who was also the guest of honour gave a pat on the back for Konkanis saying “in the last one year of my stay in Mangalore if you ask me to name one community which has come to the least notice of the police is the Konkani speaking community.  They are extremely enterprising, friendly and affectionate.  You are an important member of the society and the civil society has an important role in preventing and maintenance of law and order”. 

In his presidential address Dr P Dayananda Pai, Chairman Konkani Languge and Cultural Foundation said World Konkani Centre would make all out efforts to preserve the distinct culture of this land.  

Earlier Dr Tanaji Halarankar introduced the Research and Stujdies Centre to the guests and the audience and said the WKC was the result of the thinking in the right direction in order to unite people and maintain Konkani identity. 

Earlier a poorna  kumba welcome awaited the media couple at the World Konkani Centre at their arrival.  After the unveiling of the portrait the couple was shown around the Reserrch Centre, the Museum and the library.  Nagesh Shenoy introduced late Dilip Sardesai to the audience.  Venkatesh Baliga presented a vote of Thanks.  Journalist Mahesh Nayak compered the programme. 

After the formal function the couple had a two hour long session with the media over dinner and the couple answered a plethora of question by the journalists.  They enjoyed the tradition Konkani dinner served on the occasion.  In fact Sagarika was very eloquent in her praise for the fish curry and has promised to visit Mangalore whenever an opportunity comes on her way.

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