Mangalore: Kasargod Chinna Takes over as President of State Konkani Sahitya Academy

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)

Mangalore, Sep 12: Kasargod Chinna (Srinivas Rao S) took over as the new president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy on Monday September 12 evening at a ceremony organized at the academy hall in City Corporation Building, Lalbaug here.

Mayor Praveen presided over the programme.

After taking charge, the new president said that he was thankful to the government and to the Konkani speaking people for their support. "Konkani is a rich language, and past presidents of the academy have contributed a lot to the language and to its literature. I will strive to continue their good work over the next three years," he said.

There are several communities like Catholic, Navayathi and others that speak Konkani, he observed, adding that their style of language changes every 50 km. "Efforts will be put in to unite them all for a single cause so as to strengthen Konkani literature and culture," Chinna said.

Immediate past president Narayana Kharvi, past president Eric Ozario, KPCC secretary Ivan D’Souza, entrepreneur Roy Castelino, Raghunath Shet, Fr Francis Rodrigues, Geetha Kini among others were present. Registrar Dr B Devadas Pai compeered the programme.

In his address Eric Ozario urged Chinna not to fall prey to the pressure on the issue of introducing Konkani script and said that cooperation will be extended to the new president from all corners to take the academy to greater heights.

Later, speaking to reporters, the Chinna said that he has the responsibility of passing on Konkani to future generations. "There are a lot of books in the academy, which should encourage people to work for the development of the language, hence I will sincerely do field work in this regard," he stated. Calling himself a 'cultural beggar' he said he would not just be satisfied with government grants for the academy but would also expect sponsors and donors to come forward. With the aim of making Konkani books available to students in particular, the campaign will be initiated in college libraries for the allocation of books, he said.

He declined to comment on the issues relating to Konkani script and said the academy has worked a lot to bring Konkani text books in schools and said he would sincerely work for the development of the language in the next three years.