Pics: Meryick D'Silva / Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 5: Daiji Dubai Mangaluru unit organised a visit by students to some of the premier Konkani institutions and places in the city on Saturday May 2. About 60 high school students from Moodubelle, Kuntalnagar and Katpady participated in the unique programme.
They first visited Konkan Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus’ residence in Jeppu.
Renowned artiste and dramatist Eddie Sequeira briefed the children about Wilfy’s humble beginning and his achievements in Konkani music world. Meena, Vishwas Rebimbus, Prem Lobo, Babita D’Sa, Ivan Sequeira, Claud D’Souza and Roger Rebimbus sang some selected songs of Wilfy. Later they visited Wilfy’s memorial and paid their respects.
The students were then taken to the office of Raknno, the oldest Konkani weekly. C G S Taccode briefed the students about Raknno Weekly and Kazulo, children’s Konkani monthly. He also spoke about Raknno publications and Children’s Festival conducted by Kazulo Monthly, every year. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza had a short dialogue with children. He urged them to love their mother tongue Konkani, to speak in Konkani and study Konkani in schools.
The students next visited the Konkani Institute at St Aloysius College. Poet Andrew D’Cunha introduced Edwin J F D’Souza, the well known novelist and executive director of Konkani Institute. Edwin briefed the students about the activities, library and other works related to Konkani language and studies undertaken by the Konkani Institute. He also mentioned about the postgraduate Konkani diploma course conducted by the Institute. Writer and Konkani activist Gopal Gowda also spoke on this occasion. Later students visited the museum and the Chapel known for its world famous paintings.
The next stop in Konkani journey was at Vishwa Konkani Kendra at Shaktinagar. Sahana took the school children around and explained about the works related to Konani language and culture going on in the Kendra. Poet Melwyn Rodrigues also explained about the activities of Konkani Vishwa Kendra. After lunch, Hemacharya, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly spoke on the importance of Konkani language.
Austin D’Cunha, an 8th standard school boy delivered a beautiful speech on Konkani.
Speaking to the children, Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenay said that Vishwa Konkani Kendra gives scholarships to Konkani students irrespective of their caste and creed to pursue their higher studies.
From Vishwa Konkani Kendra, the school children were taken to Kalaangann where under the leadership of its Gurkar Eric Ozario, the summer camp was conducted. Eric Ozario spoke about Maandd Sobhaan, Konkani Nirantari and other achievements. Hemacharya addressed the participants and said that they were fortunate enough to learn so much in Konkani.
Finally the school children attended the programme - Awareness of Konkani Learning at Karanataka Konkani Sahitya Academy. Prof Stephen Quadras and Roy Castelino, president of the Academy spoke on this occasion.
The school children’s visit to Konkani city was successfully organized by Vincent Pinto, convener, Daiji Dubai Mangaluru unit and Praveen Tauro, deputy convener.