Media Release

Mangaluru, Sep 1: “Konkani Amchi Bhas, Konkan Amcho Gaon” - Konkani Manyatha Divas was celebrated very creatively and meaningfully at Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi, on Sunday, August 31 under the leadership of YCS unit, Bajjodi. Fr Ivan D’Souza, editor of Naman Balok Jezu and director of Carmel Kiran and Mass-Media was the chief guest. He gave a call to preserve the mother tongue Konkani in homes. Konkani is privileged to be one of the 22 languages to be recognised as the national language in the 8th schedule.

In the beginning the audience paid tribute to Vishvwa Konkani Kalaratna Eric Ozario by keeping silence for two minutes and offering flowers to his portrait. Later, in a creative way the logo of the “Konkani Manyatha Divas” was unveiled by the chief guest.

Many competitions were conducted from children to elders like Konkani speech, poem recitation, collage and cultural competition.

The judges specially appreciated the excellency of Konkani language and pronunciation of the Bajjodi children.

At the end prizes and certificates were distributed to all the participants and special prizes to the winners. In his presidential address, Fr Dominic Vas, parish priest, gave a clarion call to all the parishioners to speak and teach Konkani to their children in their homes. Otherwise Konkani may become a fossil like some of the languages of the past, he expressed concern.

The YCS Unit of Bajjodi has been commended for organising the program methodically, creatively and meticulously.