Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore  (MB) - Pics Praveen Tauro Kulshekar

Mangalore, Jun 4 (Sunday, 2-30 pm): A new Konkani weekly 'Dirvem', to be published from here under the banner of Konkan Puublications, was launched at a simple function held in the Sandesha hall at Premnagar, Bajjodi on Sunday morning. J A Monis is the editor-publisher.

Release of the maiden issue

Sometime in the 1910's, Aloysius Kannappa (Knight of St George, popularly known as 'Sardar' Kannappa) and poet Louis Mascarenhas had founded a Konkani weekly 'Konkani Dirvem' and they ran it up to 1939. The modern-day Dirvem is being published from its office in Emporium building at Kankanady in the city.

Eric Ozario, J A Monis, Rons Bantwal and Santu Omzoor

Veteran journalist, author, playwright and publisher Dolphy Cascia unveiled the maiden issue of the weekly. Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Eric Ozario presided over the function. Mumbai journalist and Daijiworld correspondent Rons Bantwal was the chief guest. Michael Misquith, trustee of Asha Kiran Trust and  Dr Pius Fidelis Pinto were also on the dais.

Editor-publisher J A Monis welcomed the gathering, while also narrating how he accidentally got into journalism. He sought the cooperation of the Konkani readership in carrying on his mission. Dr Pius Pinto made an invocation.

After releasing the maiden issue, Dolphy Cascia gave some useful tips to the editor of the new weekly. Michael Misquith wished the venture all success.

Sections of the audience

Rons Bantwal detailed the risks involved in the journalistic career and said that the new weekly would do well with the support from the Konkani readers. But the toast of the talk came from Eric Ozario, who pointed out that only 3% of the Konkani-speaking community read Konkani journals. Instead of wondering whether another newspaper was indeed necessary for Konkani, efforts should be made to tap the 'virgin territory' of 97%. Certainly there was scope for another ten journals and also for a Konkani daily, he added, while wishing that 'Dirvem' itself would turn into a daily very soon.

Santu Omzoor compered the function. J A Monis thanked everyone for their support.

The function was followed by lunch.