Media Release
Bantwal, Aug 20: Konkani Manyata Divas was celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural fervour at Mother of God Church, Mogarnad, in collaboration with the Christopher Association. The programme was held at the Community Hall, Mogarnad, on Sunday, August 16, ahead of Konkani Manyata Divas, which marks the recognition of Konkani as a language of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The programme began with a prayer service invoking God's blessings upon the gathering. The formal inauguration followed with the hoisting of the Konkani flag, after which the Konkani anthem was sung by the entire assembly with visible pride, setting the tone for an evening devoted to the mother tongue.
A tribute was then paid to the late Eric Ozario and the late Henry D'Souza in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Konkani language, music and culture. As a mark of respect to Henry D'Souza, the ever-popular Konkani song 'Ye Ye Kathrina' was rendered, and the audience joined in warmly.
William Pereira, president of the Christopher Association, welcomed the dignitaries on the dais and the gathering. Present on the dais were the parish priest, Fr Anil Canute D'Mello; Fr Naveen Prakash Pinto, headmaster, Dev Matha School, Mogarnad; Sr Anni D'Souza, superior, Dev Matha Convent; Noel Lobo, vice president of the Parish Pastoral Council; Wilfred Lobo, secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council; Seema Maria D'Cunha, coordinator of the Pastoral Commissions; Robert D'Souza, honorary president, and Violet D'Souza, secretary of the Christopher Association.
The occasion was marked by the felicitation of several achievers and well-wishers of the community. Students who secured the highest marks in the SSLC and PUC examinations were honoured for their academic excellence. Drivers who have served the longest term in their profession were felicitated for their years of dedicated and safe service, a gesture especially meaningful for the Christopher Association. Members of the Association who were recently married were greeted and blessed, and the writer Salomi Mogarnad was honoured for her contribution to Konkani literature.
Addressing the gathering, Fr Naveen Prakash Pinto spoke on the importance of traffic rules and road safety. He reminded the audience that rules of the road are not restrictions but safeguards, and that patience, alertness and discipline behind the wheel protect not only the driver but every family that waits at home.
Delivering the presidential address, Fr Anil Canute D'Mello insisted that Konkani, our mother tongue, must be spoken at home in daily conversation. He observed that a language survives not in books alone but in the kitchen, at the dining table and in the prayers of a family. He urged parents to speak to their children in Konkani, to teach them Konkani prayers and songs, and to encourage them to read Konkani books and periodicals, cautioning that a generation that loses its mother tongue loses a large part of its identity and heritage along with it.
Violet D'Souza briefly read out the annual report of the Christopher Association, highlighting its activities during the year, and Mr Robert D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks.
After the formal stage programme, the cultural segment began with the singing of “voviyo and verses” in celebration of Konkani Manyata Divas, reviving a traditional form that has been handed down through generations. Salomi Mogarnad then read out poems penned in her book, and her recitation was very much appreciated by the audience.
Rayan Magneto and Dr Melwyn Pernal, actors of the Konkani film “Fondacho Mister” were felicitated on the occasion. This was followed by the screening of the film “Fondacho Mister”, which was watched with keen interest by the gathering.
Adding colour and flavour to the celebration, various associations and families of the parish prepared traditional Mangalorean-style dishes, which were kept for sale. The stalls, laden with food that speaks of the community's heritage, became a lively meeting point and reflected the culture the evening set out to honour.
The celebration concluded on a note of pride and resolve, with the gathering reaffirming its commitment to speak, sing and pass on Konkani to the generations to come.