Daijiworld Media Network - Margao
Margao, Nov 15: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that although Konkani has several dialects and is written in different scripts across states, the hearts of Konkani-speaking people remain united. He described this unity as the greatest strength of the language.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the 34th All India Konkani Convention held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hall in Nigdi, Pune.
Renowned writer Aruna Dhere, All India Konkani Parishad president Nandagopal Shenoy, Member of the Legislative Council Amit Gorkhe, Reception Committee chairperson Ashwini Jambhekar Kulkarni, Parishad working president Chetan Acharya, General Secretary Sneha Sabnis and Convention working president Alfie Monteiro were among those present on the dais.
The convention venue was named after renowned publisher and writer Sumant Kelkar. The entrance gate was dedicated to Eduardo Bruno Souza, who published the first Konkani magazine from Pune, while the stage was named after Shenoi Goembab, regarded as the father of modern Konkani.
Sawant said his government was giving priority to promoting Konkani culture, literature and cinema.
Chief speaker Aruna Dhere said that being a writer involved more than mastering a language of communication. She said genuine literature reflected a deep concern for nature and society, describing this concern as its very soul.
Addressing the younger generation, she said the importance of the human brain had not diminished in the age of artificial intelligence. She urged young people to use available technology wisely without becoming dependent on it.
Nandagopal Shenoy appealed to Sawant to coordinate with the neighbouring governments of Karnataka and Kerala and work towards giving priority to Konkani language education in those states.
Reception Committee chairperson Ashwini Jambhekar Kulkarni, working president Chetan Acharya and Alfie Monteiro also spoke on the occasion. General Secretary Sneha Sabnis proposed the vote of thanks, while Anant Agni compered the programme.
The convention began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and a Ghumat performance by 'Aami Kankonkar'. Several books were also released by the Chief Minister.
TAG President Says Sawant Highlighted Tiatr's Global Reach
Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) president Anthony Barbosa said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant highlighted Goa's tiatr tradition during the inaugural function of the 34th All India Konkani Literary Festival in Pune.
Barbosa said Sawant had pointed out that even people familiar with Marathi watch tiatr performances in foreign countries.
He added that the Chief Minister highlighted the inclusion of tiatr in the Union Ministry of Culture's Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of India as its 56th element.
According to Barbosa, Sawant also appreciated the Tiatr Academy of Goa for its contribution to documenting, preserving and promoting the state's unique theatrical art form internationally.
The Chief Minister further described tiatr as Goa's rich cultural heritage and said it played an important role in keeping Konkani alive across the world.