Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/VM) - pics - Ganesh S Perla

Mangalore, Apr 22: Teaching Konkani in Kannada script is the need of the hour. But the use of Devnagari script cannot be sidelined, said Msgr Fred V Pereira, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese.

He was speaking after presiding over programme organized to honour those who contributed to bringing in Konkani teaching into schools of Karnataka.

The progamme was held in the St Aloysius College Auditorium on Saturday April 21 evening and was organized by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal.

“One should inculcate the habit of speaking Konkani at home. On the other hand, maintaining unity for the development of Konkani is an essential factor,” said Fr Fred Pereira.

Mangalore MLA Yogish Bhat said that the state government should contribute to encourage research in Konkani. He also said that, efforts are going on for bring Tulu language in schools and Beary Sahitya Academy in the state.

K K Pai, Msgr Alexander D’Souza, Basti Vaman Shenoy, Paul Moraes, and Dr Kasturi Mohan Pai were honoured for their contribution to bringing Konkani into schools curriculum.

Eric Ozario, president of Konkani Sahitya Academy and Fr Mark Walder, former editor of Raknno Konkani weekly who were also to receive the honour could not make it to the progamme.

Heads of the Institutions like Dr TMA Pai Foundation, Konkani Institute of St Aloysius College, Raknno Konkani weekly, State Konkani Language Minorities Institutions’ Association, Canara High School Association were also honoured at this occasion.

The Catholic Board of Education was also in this list. But no representative from this institution was present.

Raghunath Shet, Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy and Geeta Shenoy were present on the occasion.

Fr Eric Crasta, president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, welcomed the gathering. Joachim Pinto and Dafney Lewis compered the programme.