Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Sep 6: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy organized ‘Konkani Teachers' day’ for all the Konkani teaching and speaking teachers here at Mizar Govinda Pai Memorial hall, Canara High School on Thursday September 6.

Captain Ganesh Karnik, MLC, chief guest inaugurated the programme and Kasargod Chinna, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy presided over the programme.

Eric Ozario, Gurkar of Mandd Sobhan, Ullal Mohan Kumar, Karnataka Kalathilak Bharathanatyam guru, SS Kamath, president of Canara High School Association shared the dais.

Kasargod Chinna in his presidential address briefed about the activities organized by the association and its future projects. He said that the Konkani Teacher's day celebration will continue to be conducted in the future also.

He said that among the various programmes organized by the academy, Konkani Rath where free books worth Rs 12 lac were distributed to 120 schools and also the 'Ghar Ghar Konkani' programme plays a vital role.

The academy will continue to organize a variety of programmes so that Konkani is preserved and passed on to the next generation, he added.

He also congratulated the teachers on the occasion, for their service in promoting Konkani language in their schools without any anticipation of allowances. He hoped for the government’s support to teachers in future days in terms of allowance.

Speaking on the occasion, Karnik said that teachers play am important role in the upbringing of the students and wished them on the occasion. He stressed on the importance of our tradition, culture and said that it is a duty to respect, preserve and pass it on to future generation.

But currently the situation is changed, as people feel shy to talk with influence of western culture, he alleged. We should personally feel the importance of our language and participate in all the activities, only then it will continue to grow, he added.

Speaking about the aid to teachers, he said that the matter regarding allowance to teachers will be seriously discussed.

On this occasion, Karnik’s birthday was also celebrated.

All the dignitaries presented the teachers with flowers and a gift as a sign of good luck and wishes.

After the formal stage programme, various cultural programmes were performed by the teachers present which was inaugurated by Ullal Mohan Kumar in a unique style by playing the Gumat.

Ashok Shet, Mahesh Nayak among others were present.