Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jan 26: World Konkani Centre has decided to honour late Basti Vaman Shenoy, architect of World Konkani Centre, honoured with title Vishwa Konkani Saradara for his yeomen contribution towards the language and culture of Konkani, by constructing a metal statue of him.

Basti Vaman Shenoy, who worked relentlessly for the upliftment of Konkani language, literature, culture and community, was highly respected in the Konkani Saraswat world.

Bronze statue of the late Basti Vaman Shenoy weighing 250 kg and standing 6.5 feet tall, is ready for unveiling at the entrance of World Konkani Centre at Shaktinagar.

The statue was built in Aligarh of Uttar Pradesh under the coordination of Vibinn organization of the city. First a statue of clay was made and later molten bronze was poured to give a permanent place in the hearts of the Konkani community. The statue which cost Rs 10 lac is built under the sponsorship of honorary president and ardent supporter of World Konkani centre Dr P Dayanand Pai.

Basti Vaman Shenoy, who was fondly called as ‘Basti maam’, took retirement from his bank job in order to be the convener of Konkani Jatha in 1991-92 to demand constitutional recognition for the Konkani language. His role in including Konkani language in the eighth schedule of the constitution is phenomenal. In addition to social organization and fight, he was active in the literary field also.

Basti Mam served as president of Konkani Sahitya Academy for two terms. He is conferred with many titles including Vishwa Konkani Saradara and Vishwa Saraswata Saradara.

"The statue of Basti Vaman Shenoy is a spitting image of his usual courtesy style. It will be an inspiration to scores of his fans and close aides. The statue will be unveiled on February 8 at 5 pm by Dr Pramod Sawant, chief minister of Goa," said Nandagopal Shenoy, president, World Konkani Centre.