Mangalore: 'Dirvem' Turns Konkani Monthly at 5th Annual Day Celebration

Pics: Savita B R
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RD/CN)

Mangalore, May 30: "Today, in the Konkani community, it is common to complain that the community doesn’t extend support to those who serve their mother tongue. Publishing is a business and not a humanitarian service. It’s an enterprise and the person who runs it is expected to manage it professionally in order to succeed in business,” said Roy Castelino, president, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan.

He was speaking at the re-launch of city-based ‘Dirvem’ Konkani monthly edited and published by John A Monis during the fifth annual day celebration of ‘Dirvem’, Konkani weekly, held at Sandesha auditorium on Sunday May 29.

The Konkani weekly was converted to a monthly with effect from June 1, 2011, after five years.

Castelino further said, “The unbiased and fearless Konkani weekly tried its best to create awareness among Konkani readers through its thought-provoking editorials, but the readers are not mature enough to accept it. Although editor and publisher John A Monis succeeded in discharging his social responsibility, the switch over to monthly will give him enough time to restructure and once again re-launch it as a weekly”.

Fr Ronald Coutinho, director, city-based Samanvaya (NGO), veteran Konkani columnist and poet Gladys Rego, and entrepreneur Lester D’Souza were the guests of honour on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rego said that over the years she had attachment with Dirvem that used to come once a week, but now, she will have to wait for a month. She narrated how Monie chose the name ‘Dirvem’ from a bunch of old Konkani papers that were found at her house five years ago.

Fr Coutinho quoted the example of Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar who quit active cricket when he was at his peak.

Konkani veteran columnists Eddie Netto and Alice Fernandes were felicitated by Dirvem Brahmavar representative Anthony Barnes and Pixel proprietor Victor Andra during the programme.

Cash prizes for short story competitions that were held in 2008 were distributed on the same occasion.

Vincent Alva, who bagged the first prize for his maiden short story ‘Pimprem’, donated the amountto Dirvem.

Monis welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks. Alva compered the programme.