Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network — Mangalore (CLP)

Mangalore, Aug 25: ‘Konkani Manyata Divas’, celebrated in recognition of the 22nd anniversary of Konkani being included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution, was organized at Kalaangann on Sunday August 24.

The programme was inaugurated by Roy Castelino, president, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and the welcome Konkani Bharatnatyam dance was performed by Kiran Kamat.

Addressing the gathering, Castelino said, “Hindi is not the only national language of the nation, Konkani is too. Konkani also has to be given equal respect. After Konkani being included in the eighth schedule of the constitution we can proudly say we are Konkanis.”

“With the efforts of Mandd Sobhann, now people are aware that we have to save Konkani. Only Konkani is written in five languages. We need to be proud of the language. Unity of 41 Konkani groups is needed to strengthen and not divide them. In order to maintain the unity, the Academy has decided to grant funds to organize events only when three or more groups come together to organize it.”

Tomazinho Cardozo, president, Jagotik Konknni Songhotton, Vishnu Surya Wagh, eminent Konkani writer, poet, and MLA of St Andre constituency, Goa, Sandeep K N, representative of the Kannada community, Dayanand Kathalsar, representative of the Tulu community, James Mendonca, member, and Eric Ozario, Mandd Sobhann Gurkar,were present.

Melita Sequeira compered the programme.