Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 28: The annual ‘Outstanding Achiever’ awards meant for people belonging to Konkani community, being conferred annually on behalf of Dr TMA Pai Foundation Manipal, were handed over to expert administrator, educationist, and economist, Dr Vishwanath A Panandikar from Goa, and Mumbai-based social worker, Geetha R Pai, at a function organized at Fortune Inn Valley View Hotel hall on Wednesday March 27.
The annual ‘Dr TMA Pai Best Konkani Book’ awards were handed over to Anandi Kamath from Mumbai for her work, ‘Ayodhya’, and Nutan Sakhardande from Goa for her work, ‘Password’, on this occasion.
Panandikar, speaking after receiving the award, noted that Konkani-speaking people, in spite of forming a miniscule percentage of the country’s population, have earned special recognition and respect all over the world because of their achievements. He hailed Dr TMA Pai for his brilliance, hard work, and his contribution to Konkani community. Referring to a quote by Gandhiji that ‘prosperous India will benefit the entire world’, he said that the world will stand to gain if Konkani community flourishes. He wished that Manipal will transform into modern Taxila in the next 25 years.
Panandikar felt that the task of identifying the talents of youngsters from among Konkani-speaking people, providing them impetus to go for excellent achievements, and helping them to acquire more creative knowledge and become talented individuals through educational institutions will go a long way in building their personalities. He reminded the audiences of a recent observation by International Monetary Fund that India has been suffering because of lack of able political leadership and improper administrative system. He identified entering politics by people with criminal background, and vote bank politics, as some of the follies which need to be addressed.
Geetha Ranga Pai thanked her husband for his encouragement and guidance in making it possible for her to pursue her dreams. She asserted that righteousness always means helping the weaker sections of the society, and wanted every educated woman to be able to give back to the society what she has gained from it. She said women get spare time when children grow up, and urged them to make best use of this time. Geetha said she was getting a feeling of continent and satisfaction by organizing matrimony alliances, helping the weaker sections, and getting involved with other social service initiatives.
Trustee of Dr TMA Pai Foundation, Dr M V Kamath, presided. Another trustee, T Sathish U Pai, was president, Administrative officer of the Academy of General Education Manipal, Dr H Shantaram, welcomed.