Daijiworld Media Network – Goa (EP)

Goa, Jun 18: Asmitai Prathistan Goa has recently announced the prestigious Prof Kashinath Mahale Puraskar to Vishwa Konkani Kendra founder president and Konkani activist Basti Vaman Shenoy. The award was presented by Goa forests and panchayat department minister Rajendra Arlekar, chief guest in a programme held at Panaji Goa Kala Academy Auditorium on June 17. The youth award was presented to Suchitha Narvenkar.

Goa Asmitai Prathistan president Harishchandra Nagavekar welcomed, gave a key note address, presented mementos to the award winners and felicitated them.

Guests of honour, well known Konkani writer Suresh Gundu Amonakar, advocate Uday L Bhembre, Vishwa Konkani Kendra secretary B Prabhakara Prabhu were present.

Damodar Maozo and Zuzobaba Lawrenso introduced the winners of the award. Secretary Anvesha Singabalbai proposed vote of thanks.

Basti Vaman Shenoy

Basti Vaman Shenoy is the the founder president ‘Konkani Bhas Ani Samskriti Pratistan’ (World Konkani Centre) established in Mangaluru. He has been the past president, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Mangaluru for two terms. His struggle in Karnataka led to the establishment of Konkani Academy in Karnataka and he has also played an important role in the fight for inclusion of Konkani in the 8th schedule of the Constitution. He has been the president of All India Konkani Parishad for the year 2004-2006. He is also the member, Supreme Governing Body of Academy of General Education, Manipal. He has been the past president, Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka.

He received the first International special significant award from Rotary International in 1974, for organising Mass Rotary free eye operation camps, dental camps in and around Bantwal. He was the chief convener of the First World Konkani Convention held at Mangaluru in 1995. He was also the chief convener of the First Vishwa Saraswat Sammelan held at Mangaluru in 1999. He is the recipient of the title 'Vishwa Konkani Sardar' and 'Vishwa Saraswat Sardar'. He won the Karnataka ` Rajyotsava Award-2010’ from government of Karnataka for Konkani literature and other activities and the Tulu Koota, Kuwait-Decennial Celebrations Award-2010.

He has published several books and has written widely for several dailies and magazines.

Asmitai Prathistan

Asmitai Prathistan is an organisation dedicated to the service and upliftment of Konkani language. Founded in 1994, it has till date organised several programmes which include publication of books, seminars, workshops etc. It annually confers two awards for the service of Konkani language. It has developed a glossary of over 30 lac Konkani words for central government's automatic translation project. The Pratisthan has often worked in association with several other organisations in promoting Konkani language. From this year it has started a special programme titled Asmitay Utsav where it has organised several discussions and seminars along with a grand exhibition of Konkani books where it invites book publishers and organisations to showcase the vast literary output in Konkani.