Mother tongue handy in reinforcing relationships - Sunil Kumar

News: R B Jagadish

Pics: Stanly Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Aug 21: "India happens to be a fusion of several cultures and languages but has retained its uniqueness of unity in diversity. Languages get influenced by regional cultures, local observations and societies. Mother tongue plays an important role in strengthening the bond of relationships," observed MLA and chief whip of the opposition in state assembly, V Sunil Kumar.

He was speaking after initiating the silver jubilee celebrations of Konkani getting included in the eighth schedule of the constitution, 'Konkani Manyata Divas - 2016' at SVT educational institutions here on the evening of Saturday, August 20. The programme was organized by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.

Sunil Kumar called upon the youngsters to get involved with new experiments and endeavours to strengthen their affection and affinity towards their mother tongue. He said that words defining relationships should always be used in their original forms in mother tongues and English equivalents should not be used in their place. This practice, he felt, will work to cement relationships. He also felt that there is a strong case for supporting script of respective mother tongues by using them more and more, and asked youngsters to take up initiatives to preserve their mother tongues at a time when English is encroaching upon the space of regional languages everywhere.

President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Roy Castelino, who presided over the programme, delivered welcome address. He noted that Konkani has been a mother tongue for Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. Noting that Konkani has been the language spoken by several communities, he asked people to identify themselves as Indians first, then Kannadigas, and also as Kokani-speaking people.

Paul Moras, who played a leading role in Konkani movement, Shreevidya Bhat and Sanjana Acharya, who secured highest marks in Konkani in their tenth standard examination from Karkala zone, Mitchell Queeny D'Costa, who has achievements in several fields to her credit and recorded high level of achievement in UPSC examination, Rajesh Prabhu, Pernal, who is a young talent, and Dr Raghavendra Pai, international level Yoga Guru, were felicitated.

On this occasion, 'Najukayya Doriyeri Chamkatha', which is a translated play by Lata Pai Bengaluru, 'Paysa Payyilem Payan', a travelogue by Anil Pernal, 'Eka Shikovlachya Liknenthelem', collection of articles by George Castelino, Nakre, and 'Konkani Ramayana (RSB version)' by S Narayan Gavalkar, were dedicated to the world.

The procession that was taken out before the programme from in front of Ananthashayana temple, which had got additional glitter and grace with the presence of various artistes, band set, tableaux, etc was inaugurated by municipal president, Anita Anchan.

Priest, Fr Josvi Fernandes, managing trustee of Venkataramana temple Jagadish Nayak, dignitaries Prescilla D'Souza, entrepreneurs Aveline D'Souza and K P Shenoy, Subhash Kamath, teacher, Giridhar Nayak, Kamalaksha Shet were present among others.

George Castelino presented the programme. Registrar of the academy Devadas Pai proposed vote of thanks.