Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 26: Dr T M A Pai Foundation, Manipal, has finalized its list of awardees for this year under the annual awards scheme for outstanding Konkani achievers. The awards function is scheduled to be held at 5.30 pm at the Chaitya auditorium of Fortune Inn Valley View Hotel, Manipal, on March 27.
Administration expert, educationists and economist from Goa, Dr Vishwanath A Pai Panandikar, and Geeta R Pai, a social worker from Mumbai, have been picked for these prestigious awards.
At the same time, ‘Ayodhya’, a Konkani work by Anandi Kamath from Mumbai, and ‘Password’, written by Nutan Sakhardande, Goa, have been selected for the awards under ‘Best Konkani Books’ category.
Dr V A Pai Panandikar, born in Margao, Goa, secured MA and LLB degrees from Mumbai Universities, before going on to annex MPA and PhD degrees from Michigan University, USA. He is backed by tremendous experience in administration, education, and economic fields. Panandikar had also worked as special advisor to the ministry of finance when Morarji Desai was the deputy Prime Minister. He also worked as the chairman of Expenditure Commission’s Committee during 1979-80, as the founder president of the Centre for Policy Research New Delhi. He also held various distinguished positions and served different fields.
Geetha R Pai, wife of the late Mangalore Ranga Pai, was born in 1940. She completed her degree in Maharani’s College, Bangalore with a gold medal. She served as the president of Mumbai GSB Sabha from 1989 to 2002. During her term, the Sabha flourished, and conducted various social service, educational, and sports programmes. At president, she has been functioning as the trustee of GSB’s Medical Trust, GSB Scholarship League, and M R Pai Foundation.
Anandi Kamath happens to be the daughter of R Ranganath Prabhu from Kerala, who is identified as the first Konkani writer from Kerala. Her articles have appeared in various publications. Over 60 short stories and four novels written by her have been published. The novel, ‘Ayodhya’, picked for the award this time, has been written in Malayalam script.
Nutan Sakhardande, who has been working for Punjab National Bank since the last 23 years, has rendered excellent service to the field of literature since the last three decades. She has penned poems, short stories, essays, and reviews. She also has organized various programmes for the recital of poems in Goa and Maharashtra, besides participating in various programmes and workshops. She has also translated several poems, and delivered addresses on Panaji Akashvani and Doordarshan Kendras. Her works have also been translated to several languages. Sakhardande also had served as the editor for several souvenirs.