Pics: Stanly Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Dec 20: The Konkani Sahitya Sammelan, organized by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, came to a grand close at Scouts and Guides Auditorium here late evening on Saturday December 20.
The valedictory ceremony was inaugurated by Mangaluru bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza in a unique manner by cutting a vegetable.
Noted film director Lawrence D'Souza, chairman of Saibeen Complex Abdul Rahman, member of zilla panchayat Melwyn D'Souza, registrar of Konkani Sahitya Academy Devdas Pai, writer and convener of the Academy C G S Taccode, and writer Edwin Netto were present on the dais.
Edwin Netto was honoured by the bishop for his contribution to Konkani language and literature.
Awards were also presented on the occasion to Wilson Kateel, Stany Kolangana and Jayashree Naik Ekkambi for literature; Nagesh Anvekar, Kemti Ramachandra Bhat and Subbi Subba Siddhi for culture, Sr Mariette B S, Steven Quadros, Muralidhar Prabhu for education and to Raknno, Naksha-e-Nawayath, Kodiyal Khabar, and Vijay Karnataka for media.
Addressing the gathering, Lawrence D'Souza said, "This is the first I came to Mangaluru for a Konkani programme. I see so much of talent here. We should set up a Konkani film industry. I am ready to give my full support. There is so much of talent and a good environment for Konkani film industry to grow. My next aim will be to make a Konkani film. I congratulate the organizers on holding this event."
Bishop Dr Aloysius D'Souza said that Konkani is a rich language spoken by over 50 lac people, by Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Lauding Roy Castelino for leading the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy in the right manner, he said, "Under his leadership he has enhanced people's respect towards Konkani and made the river of Konkani to flow in all its glory. The unique concept of Konkani Mobile Bazaar initiated under his leadership is doing well promoting Konkani books door-to-door.
"Today, children are interested in learning German, French, Italian and other languages but not they are interested in learning Konkani in schools. As it is our mother tongue, it is our responsibility to learn it, preserve it and pass it on to the next generation," he said.
Roy Castelino said, "Konkani is the only language which is accepted by the people of three religions as their mother tongue. We cannot say that it has no script, it is written in five languages. Recently MLC Ivan D'Souza was stopped from speaking in Konkani in the Legislative Council. This has hurt the sentiments of Konkani people. We have written a letter to the speaker demanding an explanation. We will protest against it in future."
The revamped website of the Academy www.konkaniacademy.org, by e-creator Vincent Mascarenhas, was launched on the occasion.
Rosario Konkani Club presented a welcome dance. The programme was compered by Smitha Shenoy and Concepta Fernandes.
Prior to the formal stage programme, a number of cultural programmes enthralled the gathering. There was a musical performance by Muralidhar Kamath, dances and folk songs by Kadri Nritya Vidyanilaya and Janapada troupes. A grand procession was also held. Kharvi Pangad Gangolli, Siddi Pangad Ankola, Kudmi Pangad Pakkarne, Gaavli Pangad Yellapur, Dalvi Pangad Shiroor, Naufal Damudi Bhatkal and other groups participated.
The day-long Sammelan culminated with important decisions being taken. They are:
- "To urge the state government to introduce Konkani as a third language in schools across the state and to appoint competent teachers for the job. As of now, Konkani is taught in schools of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada only.
- "Karnataka Sahitya Academy needs to have its own land and its own building.
- "So far, the Central Sahitya Academy has been considering only Konkani works in Devanagari scripts for awards. This is unjust. The Central Academy is urged to also recognize Konkani works that are in Romi, Kannada, Malayalam and Perso-Arabic scripts.
- Though Konkani has been included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, recently the chairman of the Legislative Council stopped an MLC from speaking in Konkani as it would not be understood by all. To avoid such incidents in future, Kannada-Konkani translators must be appointed in the Karnataka Legislative Houses.
- The government is urged to set up Konkani study chairs in Mangalore University and other universities in the state."