Daijiworld Media Network - Karwar

Karwar, Oct 23: The district-level Konkani conference ‘Konkani Sambhram’ was held with great enthusiasm at the Shankar Babi Samant Auditorium of Shivaji Education Society, Baad, Karwar, on October 22. The event was jointly organised by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Konkani Kala Sahitya Samskrutik Sanghatana, Karwar.

Presiding over the conference, Dr Uday Raikar said, “Konkani is the language of our hearts, but the influence of other spoken languages on our mother tongue is increasing. As a result, the richness of Konkani is gradually declining. We must all commit ourselves to preserving and promoting the language without allowing this trend to continue.”

Dr Vasant Bandekar, the event organiser, welcomed the gathering. In the absence of the Academy president, Academy member Sunil Siddhi presided over the programme and presented an overview of the activities undertaken by the Academy so far.

Chief guest Fr Thomas Fernandes said Konkani people should take pride in their identity and mother tongue. Comparing the community to salt, he said, “Our population may be small, but we are essential in adding flavour to our country and society.” He extended his best wishes for the success of the conference.

Renowned music teacher Pandit Chandrakant Vishwanath Gadkar and George S Fernandes, president of St Milagres Credit Co-operative Society, attended the event as guests of honour.

Following the formal programme, Dr Aravind Shanbhag and Steven Quadros participated in a seminar on the topic ‘Konkani: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’.

The conference concluded with cultural performances, including the Siddi Dhamami dance, Konkani Kharvi dance, Konkani Bavlya Khel (puppet show) and Konkani mimicry.

Dr Vasant Bandekar compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.