Mangalore: Raknno hosts Konkani writers' convention to mark platinum jubilee

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)
 
Mangalore, Nov 3: As part of its platinum jubilee year, Raknno Weekly on Sunday November 3 hosted a Konkani writers’ convention at Bishop’s House. The programme was inaugurated by Fr Denis Prabhu, vicar general of Mangalore diocese.
 
Addressing the gathering, Fr Denis Prabhu said, “Writing is a gift of god. But it should be put to good use for the betterment of society."

Lauding Raknno Weekly, he said, “Many hands have worked towards taking the newspaper into it 75th year. The efforts of writers and editors have been praiseworthy. Today, it has become a platform for both writers to express themselves and readers to stay connected with the Konkani community.”
 
The convention included informatory and open discussion sessions on the role and responsibility of editors, feature articles, being a good reader and letters to the editor. Editors of different Konkani journals and writers from South Canara and neighboring districts participated in the convention. An exhibition of books and magazines was held during the convention.
 
Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno editor presented the introductory speech. In his address, he said that the platinum jubilee year of Raknno (1938-2013) was launched in December 2012 and will culminate with a jubilant valedictory on December 15. During the valedictory, it will confer the Raknno Literary Lifetime Award on a senior Konkani writer consisting of Rs 50,000 cash prize.
 
Well-known Konkani writers and linguists Melwin Pinto, Dolphy Cascia, J F D'Souza Attavar and E D Netto were the resource persons. Vally Vagga, Konkani writer from Mysore led the discussion and dialogue sessions. Writers Ancy Palladka, Wilma Bantwal, Dolphy Saldanha, Irene Castelino and Tony Ferros introduced the resource persons.
 
Well-known writer Fr Maxim Rosario (Mijar Kuppepadavu) welcomed the gathering.  Cyril G Sequeira, the convenor of Raknno Plantinum Jubilee celebrations proposed the vote of thanks. Vittori Karkal compered the programme.
 
‘Raknno’ though a Konkani weekly by nature has strived to keep its readers abreast with the times with wide coverage on agricultural, scientific, medical, legal, economical, political, religious, cultural, educational, social and career guidance issues. Constant innovations and creativity have been its strengths; and humour, satire, serialized novels, feature articles with field work, short stories and special pages for children, youth and women have been promoting literature and the habit of reading. As a publishing house, Raknno has been publishing both fiction and non-fiction books, having 111 titles and one CD till date. ‘Kajulo’ published by Raknno is the only Konkani magazine exclusively for children.