Bantwal: Basti Vaman Shenoy honoured on 80th birthday with befitting event

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (NM)

Bantwal, Nov 11: The 80th birthday of veteran Konkani activist and founder of World Konkani Centre Basti Vaman Shenoy was celebrated in a grand manner with a day-long event at SVS High School here on Sunday November 10. The programme was organized by Basti Vaman Shenoy 80 Sambhrama Committee, Bantwal

The main celebration was held in the evening with a stage programme wherein T V Mohandas Pai, chairman, Manipal Global Education, Bangalore was chief guest, minister for forests B Ramanath Rai presided and renowned Kannada writer Arya Laxminaranaya Alva, Goa Konkani Sahitya Academy president Pundalik Naik and Ramdas Kamath U, vice-president of Infosys Bangalore were the guests of honour.

Mannur Laxman Kamath, executive president of the organizing committing welcomed the gathering and introduced the guests.

On the occasion, Basti Vaman Shenoy was felicitated and wished by several organizations and individuals for his outstanding contribution to socio-cultural sphere of the country. His autobiography 'Ek Bhikshuk Chakravarthili Kanni' was released by Arya Laxminaranaya Alva, while Pundalik Naik releasesd a souvenir 'Basti Sambhram'.

Mohandas Pai in his address said, "The fact that so many people have attended this ceremony only suggests that Basti Vaman Shenoy spent the best part of his life serving the community. He is a living legend, the torchbearer of culture and language. We are inheritors of a great culture, but today there are very few people who pass on the tradition and culture to the next generation. Most people are engaged in earning for a living and fail to enjoy human existence to the fullest. However, Basti Vaman Shenoy has embodied the entire culture and worked for it."

Arya Laxminarayana Alva said, "Basti Vaman Shenoy is not only known for his Konkani writings but also for his works in Kannada. He has brought good name to Bantwal where he was born, and has successfully lived his 80 years. He was not only born for one community but lived for all communities, and therefore he is recognised by society."

Acknowledging the honour, Basti Vaman Shenoy said that with this honour his responsibility had also increased. Recalling his early life, he said he was inspired by his father and others in his family who lived a selfless life. He narrated how some of the great people in his locality moulded him and thanked peope who enabled him to grow, T M A Pai, Dayanand Pai, Ronald Colaco, Mohandas Pai, Ramadas Kamath, Eric Ozario and others. "Due to the support of these people, it was possible to build World Konkani Centre and host the World Konkani Convention," he said.

"Whenever I did something good, people encouraged me which kept me motivated to continue doing good. I am no great man, all that I did in my life was to collect from the rich and give it to the poor; I was only a bridge, and the 2.5 crore scholarship provided by WKC to students is an example of it," he said.

"We will again get together here for my 100th birthday," he added in a lighter tone.

Minister Ramanath Rai recalled his association with Basti Vaman Shenoy and said that age has not been a limit or hindrance to him. "He mingled with everyone and treats everyone equally. It is said that a hard working person finds rest in his work; this saying is apt for Basti Vaman Shenoy. Even at this age he travels from place to place for the sake of society, if not for himself. The young generation should follow the example set by him.

"Today the society is ruled by money, humanity is nowhere and love among mankind is missing. Society should learn Basti Vaman Shenoy. He is a man of love, one who has worked for the betterment of society. I'll be very happy to attend the 100th birthday of Shenoy," he added.

Birthday surprise

As a birthday surprise to Basti Vaman Shenoy, Venkatesh Baliga, secretary of WKC in his address announced the institution of Basti Vaman Shenoy Seva Puraskar, which will be conferred on a man and a woman for their exemplery service of outstanding order in the field of community development, education, health, political action, social movement, sports, or any other profession. There will be no age limit and deserving persons from Konkani speaking community from all over India will be selected for the award. The award will consist of a cash prize of Rs 1 lac.

T Narayan Kamath, chief convener of the organizing committee, B Prabhakar Prabhu, secretary, and Puttur Narasimha Nayak present.

There was also a musical programme by Puttur Narasimha Nayaka and group.

Earlier in the day, a seminar was held on the topic 'Youth in public service and cultural life - today and tomorrow', followed by an All India Konkani poetry meet wherein poets from Mumbai, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa participated.

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