Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal
Bhatkal, Mar 2: The Konkani folk festival ‘Sigme Porob-2026’ commenced with a grand procession at Bhatkal Port on February 28, 2026. The programme was jointly organised by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Konkani Kharvi Samaj and Konkani Kharvi Kalamand, Bhatkal.
The event was inaugurated by minister for fisheries, ports and inland water transport and Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Mankal S Vaidya, who lit the ceremonial lamp. Extending his best wishes, he said that fishing is not merely a profession but also the passion, art, culture and life of the Konkani Kharvi community. He said the unity of the community is its strength and added that the fragrance of the Konkani language has spread beyond the boundaries of land and water.
Welcoming the gathering, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares said that Konkani has not remained the language of any single religion or region but has grown beyond barriers of caste, religion, community, profession and geography. He said the Academy has been undertaking the significant task of recognising, nurturing and promoting the language and will continue to do so, with special focus on preserving and promoting Konkani folk art. He pointed out that the construction of Konkani Bhavan has stalled midway due to lack of funds and that Rs 3 crore is required to complete it. Noting that Mankal Vaidya had earlier played a key role in establishing the Konkani Study Chair, he appealed to the minister to request the Chief Minister to provide grants for the completion of Konkani Bhavan.
Former Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino, speaking on the occasion, praised the close association between Mankal Vaidya and the Konkani community.
During the programme, the minister distributed a government cheque of over Rs 50 lakh as financial assistance to the family of a fisherman who died in a fishing accident.
Kharvi community leaders Subraya B Kharvi, Ravi T Naik and Ratnakar M Kharvi, along with Navayati community leader Inayathulla Shabandri, were present as honourable guests. Shridhara M Kharvi, convenor of Konkani Kharvi Kalamand, proposed the vote of thanks. Keshav Ganesh Tandel compered the programme. Academy members Naveen Lobo, Dayanand Madkekar, James Lobo and Mamdu Ibrahim were also present.