Mangalore: Konkani Community’s Dream Hostel Project Unveiled

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Nov 11: Sri T V Raman Pai and Smt Vimala V Pai Hostel, built in the picturesque premises of Vishwa Konkani Kendra in Shakthinagar in the city, donated entirely on turnkey basis by philanthropist, former director of Infosys Technologies and chairman, Manipal Universal Learning, T V Mohandas Pai, was inaugurated at 11.11.11 am on November 11.

While this date gains significance because of the fact that it comes only once in a century, it also got etched out in the history of Konkani language and culture, because of the fact the hostel project, envisaged a year back, and executed within a span of seven months, was dedicated to the cause of Konkani-speaking community on Friday.

Although foundation stone for the structure was laid on October 10, 2010, construction work could start four months later, as land had to be leveled, the organizers said. Mother of T V Mohandas Pai, Smt Vimala V Pai, inaugurated the building by cutting the ribbon, while chairman emeritus of Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation, R V Deshpande, lighted the lamp at the auspicious moment. The congregation of people with Konkani as their mother tongue erupted in jubilation and gave vent to their happiness by applauding aggressively.

The hostel block, construction and facility of which are on par with international standards, can accommodate 52 inmates, with 13 double rooms and four dormitories which can house eight inmates each. Various activities including seminars, camps etc are proposed to be organized at the hostel building to impart education on leadership skills, knowledge about cultural heritage and history of Konkani language, and mentoring of the youngsters. It was clarified that the hostel will be used specifically for research programmes and training the youngsters, and not for accommodating guests coming to the city for other functions.

A large gathering from various parts of the state and neighbouring Kerala, and students of various educational institutions, participated in the function.

The occasion was marked by the singing of ‘Konkani Abhiman Geet’ by a troupe trained by Raghavendra Rao, assistant headmaster, Canara High School. A song by B V Baliga on Konkani language was also presented thereafter by a troupe under the direction of Vasanthi R Nayak.

In his welcome address, Basti Vaman Shenoy thanked R V Deshpande, Ronald Colco and T V Mohandas Pai for their guidance and support for the causes cherished by the Kendra. He recollected that the Kendra’s activities acquired the social dimensions at the behest of T V Mohandas Pai.

Pradeep G Pai presented a brief history about the conceptualization and execution of the hostel project within a record period, and wholeheartedly thanked R V Deshpande for his guidance.

Vimala V Pai was felicitated on the occasion, by draping a shawl around her, and presenting garland and meneto.

Addressing the audience, Mohandas Pai said that protecting of Konkani language is a big challenge on hand. He said that the times when mothers told bedtime stories to children in Konkani have gone because of smaller families, nuclear families, and globalization. He explained that documenting, recording, and giving rise to sense of pride among the Konkani-speaking community can contribute to the survival of the language. He advised the people to retain their identity as Konkani-speaking community, irrespective of which corner of the globe they live in.

He also felt that educating the financially downtrodden families through scholarships and other means will enable the families to come up in life and assert their identities. He said that Konkani community does not have landholding, nor do they own industry. So, making use of the brains, and getting educated are very important, he opined, adding that no child should be deprived of education just because of its family cannot afford it. He also opined that making use of technology, digitalization, usage of internet, making of comics to teach mythology and history to young populace, etc will enable Konkani people to grow into a global community and still retain their original identity.

The first batch of 36 undergraduate students from Kerala is being provided with training at the hostel from today itself. The hostel has already drawn up an itinerary for next twelve months, spread over educating in culture, dramas, seminars, camps, life skills, skill improvement, etc, through which 1,220 youngsters are planned to be trained. In the coming days, training in Konkani cuisine is also planned.

N Yogish Bhat, in his address, recalled that a thought that sparked off between a motley gathering during the Konkani Sammelan a few years ago at Los Angeles had given rise to the growth of Vishwa Konkani Kendra. He expressed gratefulness to Dayanand Pai, T V Mohandas Pai, Ramdas Kamath U, Vimala V Pai, R V Deshpande etc. He also thanked former Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, for agreeing to sanction five crore rupees for the projects of the Kendra, and said that the file is now before the present CM, D V Sadananda Gowda for approval.

Mementos were presented to various personalities who toiled to build the hostel within this short duration, and those who helped in beautification of the interiors. The gathering was informed that T V Mohandas Pai has been invited to inaugurate North American Konkani Convention planned to be held in July 2012.

R V Deshpande chose to describe the occasion as a Diamond Letter Day in the history of Konkani community. He recalled his long association with T V Mohandas Pai since the time he was the industry minister of the state and wished Pai all success in his ambition of training the Konkani youth. He said Konkani is a secular language, spoken by Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike, and communities like Kharvi, Kudubi, and Siddi.

Dayanand Pai said that 99 percent people read history, while the remaining one percent make it. He congratulated Mohadas Pai and his family for being a part of that one percent, and following the advice of Vivekanda to enjoy wealth by renouncing it. He said that Matru Bhoomi, Matru Bhasha and Matru Shree are three most important things in one’s life, and asked people to make judicious and full utilization of the facilities provided by the Kendra.

Pradeep Pai, giving details of scholarships distributed to the students so far, announced that it has been decided to award scholarship of one lac rupees to ten students per year for getting educated abroad. 

Basti Vaman Shenoy handed over mementoes to N Yogish Bhat, Deshpande, Dayanand Pai, and Gilbert D’Souzsa Puttur.

A plan to set up Konkani School by December 12, 2012, as per the wishes of Vimala V Pai, was also revealed on this occasion.

Deputy speaker of the state assembly, N Yogish Bhat, R V Deshpande, chairman and chief patron of the foundation, P Dayanand Pai, T V Mohandas Pai, Vimala Pai, T V Ramachandra Pai, philanthropist, Gilbert D’Souza Puttur, Ramdas Kamath U,  Pradeep G Pai, and president of World Konkani Centre, Basti Vaman Shenoy, were present at the dais. The programme was compeered by Venkatesh N Baliga, secretary of Vishwa Konkani Kendra.

Press Meet

The press meet held thereafter, was attended by Mohandas Pai, Ramdas Kamath U, R V Deshpandee, Basti Vaman Shenoy, and P Dayanand Shenoy, where queries of press persons were answered.  It was clarified that hostel facility is an additional facility provided at Vishwa Konkani Kendra where the programmes will have added stress on Konkani language and culture, and that caste, religion etc of the participants are not considered. To be eligible to be trained here, participants should have Konkani as their mother tongue. 

The proposed Konkani School will have CBSE or ICSE syllabus, but emphasis will on imparting leadership skills and grooming of the students and their orientation. At Konkani School, Konkani language will be taught, culture will be imparted, Konkani books will be provided, and essay writing, songs, conversation with teachers etc will be conducted in Konkani. But English will be the medium of instruction for technical subjects, Mohandas Pai clarified.

In the evening, a programme of singing of Konkani lyrics by Pt Upendra Bhat was organized at T V Raman Pai Convention Centre. Thereafter, a play by children, ‘Patholi Rookh’ was presented.