Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jan 16: Karnataka home minister Dr G Parameshwara on Saturday January 16 conferred the annual Sandesha Awards, instituted by Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education, on eight achievers from different fields in a befitting ceremony organized at Sandesha premises here.

The awards were conferred on Dr H S Venkatesha Murthy (literature), Gladys Rego (Konkani literature), Devdas Kapikad (Tulu literature), Sugantha Sathiaraj (best teacher), Ustad Rafique Khan (art), Joel Pereira (Konkani music) and Thomas D’Souza (media). G S Jayadeva was honoured with the Sandesha Special Award.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Parameshwara said, "Our Constitution is based mainly on three aspects - liberty, equality and fraternity. But now I feel that Dr B R Ambedkar, when drafting the Constitution, had in mind people who would disrupt peace. India and Egypt are homes of ancient civilizations, but none of the civilizations taught people to fight against each other, rather, they encouraged people to live in unity and harmony.

"But then caste system was created in religion which divided the people. A section of the people have disrupted harmony in society and created enmity between people of different religions. Now they have brought a new concept called 'intolerance'. I do not know why they view people of other religions with such an attitude (of intolerance). Every citizen has the right to freedom; he must be given opportunities and allowed to live in peace. But some people are overruling these aspects and creating intolerance. They are deciding about what others should eat, wear and how they should live. I do not think any civilized society will accept this," he said.

"Such people have not realized that people at large want to live in harmony. There are two groups in society - victims of atrocities and perpetrators of atrocities. Even if a small group of people is not allowed to live in peace, then there is no meaning to development. If this continues, even though we are developing, we will be still going backwards," he added.

Lauding Sandesha Foundation, he said, "Organizations like Sandesha, in spite of challenges, have contributed to the society through art, culture and music, and hence contributed to maintaining peace in society. The missionaries always served people who were victims of atrocities, hence through their service they have uplifted the downtrodden. I truly appreciate the work of Sandesha."

Archbishop of Bengaluru diocese Dr Bernard Moras who presided over the ceremony said, "Every religion respects and encourages art. Art is the essence of our daily life. Today there is a need to conserve our art and culture, and everyone should strive for this. I request Sandesha to continue the good work and continue spreading the message of Jesus Christ through its service."

Acknowledging the honour, G S Jayadeva who won the Sandesha Special Award said, "Sandesha is an organization which encourages communal harmony. When we have interest towards our culture, we will not think about differences. I read the Bible every now and then. Bible says we should love each other, but in modern times, parents are not able to love their children as much as they should. Due to modernization, various local traditions have lost their existence. Hence we should work towards inculcating a taste for local culture in our children."

Veteran Tulu actor Devadas Kapikad said, "From past 28 years, priests of various churches have blessed me and organized my shows in their church premises and also contributed towards the growth of Tulu language. Please do not return awards, it is not a good thing. There is no inherent difference between religions in Dakshina Kannada, but differences have been created. Dakshina Kannada should not be a victim of such differences. Through Sandesha, the richness of culture and music has been inculcated in children. I urge people to spread love in everyone's heart."

The other awardees also spoke on the occasion and expressed their gratitude to Sandesha Foundation.

Fr Vijay Victor Lobo welcomed the gathering.

Awards jury member Na D'Souza also spoke and explained the process of selection.

Headmaster of Rosario School Aloysius D'Souza compered.

Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Ballari diocese Dr Henry D'Souza, bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D'Souza, Karnataka Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino, C G S Taccode, Titus Noronha and others were present.