Media Release

Mangaluru, May 5: The 10 days’ Camp for Konkani children, organized by Mandd Sobhann, in association with Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and ‘Raknno’ weekly, from April 24 to May 3, 2015 titled ‘Sputt’, ended with the grand closing ceremony on Sunday, May 3 at Kalaangann.

The special guest of the programme, Roy Castelino, the President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi, applauded the children for their active participation in the camp and advised them to learn Konkani specially in schools and wherever possible and also sought the support of parents in encouraging their children to learn Konkani.

The guest of honour,Fr Francis Rodrigues, Editor of ‘Raknno’ weekly, while congratulating the children who participated in the camp, also appreciated the efforts of Mandd Sobhann in promoting the young talents by conducting such camps annually.

Dr Devdas Pai – Registrar, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Stany Alvares – Co-ordinator, Mandd Sobhann and Eric Ozario, the Camp Director – were also present on stage.

On behalf of all the participants, Glain Figreda and Shelton D’Cunha, shared their experiences of the camp. Certificates were distributed to all the 61 participants of the Camp. The best in each category – Sherwin D’Souza (Singing), Reemal Shalma Lobo (Dance) and Melbon W. Rodrigues (Theatre) – were honoured with a Certificate, a bouquet and cash prize of Rs. 2,000 each. Sweedel Osvita D’Souza bagged the Best Camper Award and was honoured with a Certificate, a bouquet and a cash prize of Rs. 3,000. The trainers of the camp were also honoured on this occasion. A budding writer Sheldon Tauro (one of the participants at the camp) was awarded the ‘Daiji Sahitik Proatsav Puroskar’ which consisted of Rs. 2,000 cash and a bouquet.

The children then entertained the audience with songs, dances and a play titled ‘Mantrik Phool’ at the 161st Monthly Theatre – ‘Bhurgyanlem Sobhann’, which followed thereafter. The children playing ‘gumott’ (the Konkani musical instrument) was a special attraction of the programme. 2 songs composed by the children of the camp – Shwetha Vas and Wilston Lawrence D'Souza were also presented.

The monthly theatre was sponsored by Francis Cutinho, Chairman, M.C.C. Bank, Mangaluru. Salomi Alvares compered the Concluding Ceremony, while Raoul Samuel Noronha and Ashvia Anna Lasrado (both children of the Camp) compered the Monthly Theatre.

‘Losunn Lucy’, a book of 9 short plays, written by Mundrel Cyril and published by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy was also released on the occasion.