Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 15: Jaison J Sequeira, Konkani poet, singer and composer and Venizeia Carlo, powerlifting champion, have been chosen for the ‘NBJ – Amulya Akash Yuva Pratibha Puraskar-2018’ in Art and Sports category respectively and educationists Renita Lobo and Shamitha Rao for the ‘Godwin-Sushma Rasquinha Family -Achievers Award -2018’ instituted by Naman Ballok Jesu, Konkani monthly.

The award ‘Yuva Pratibha Puraskar’ carries Rs 20,000 in cash and the ‘Godwin-Sushma Rasquinha Family -Achievers Award – 2018’ carries Rs 30,000 in cash, certificate, memento and shawl. All the three awards will be presented at Carmel Hill, Mangaluru on March 3.

(From L to R): Venizeia Carlo, Renita Lobo, Shamitha Rao, Jaison J Sequira

‘Naman Ballok Jesu’, a socio-religious Konkani monthly is an initiative of the Carmelite Fathers of Infant Jesus Shrine, which brings out Konkani literature, culture in interesting topics. The topics which the society does not like to discuss much, is brought for discussion by the magazine which has created a lot of awareness among the readers on socio-political issues. It also has regular columns on literature, art and sports, politics and technology. It recognizes young talents and honors them.

About the awardees

Jaison J Sequeira, Konkani poet, singer and composer

A 26-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from Gurupura, Mangaluru, started composing songs in his early teens.

Having done his schooling at St Joseph’s High School, Bajpe; PUC at St Aloysius PU College, Mangaluru, degree at Alva’s College, and completing his MSc in Mangalore University, Jaison was employed at Eurofins Advinus Ltd, Bengaluru as a research scientist. At present he is a Research Fellow at Konkani Adhyayana Peeta, Mangalore University working on a DNA based study of Konkani speaking population.

Achievements

1. He presented his own compositions at the Konkani NatakSabha, Inter-Parish singing competitions which fetch him prizes.
2. Self-composed 11 songs were presented during a Konkani TV reality show ‘Soad 4’.
3. Maiden music album ‘Ho Jeev’ released in 2016. This album was nominated in the best music album category during the Global Konkani Music Awards -2017.
4. First musical show ‘Poilo Sur’ at Kalaangann-Mangaluru
5. Second musical show ‘Dusro Sur’ at Puttur
6. Founded ‘Paypassion’, an online portal for creative artists.
7. Jaison has composed close to hundred songs in different languages including Konkani, Kannada, Tulu, Hindi and English. He has written close to 100 poems that have been published in regional magazines and websites and recited on All India Radio. His first collection of Konkani poems is set to release later this year.
8. His songs 'Oh Chitteye' and 'MeraDesh' are streamed on all online music streaming sites. 'Oh Chitteye' was nominated in three categories at the Kannada International Music Academy (KiMA) awards 2019. He was nominated for the 'Best Indie Artist' category.

Venizeia Annie Carlo

Venizeia, hailing from Bajjodi, Mangaluru just like her father and mentor Vincent Carlo, took keen interest in power lifting and participated in several championships. Her hard work was paid off soon. Since 2013 till date she goes on to win several medals which makes not only Mangaluru proud, but also whole of county. She has showcased medals not only from state and national level, gone to international championships and made India proud. At present she perseus her studies at Aloysius Collage, Mangaluru.

International level
2015 : Bronze
2016 : 1 Gold, 1 Silver
2017 : 1 Gold
2018 : 1 Gold, 1 Silver

National level
2014 : 2 Gold, 2 Bronze
2015 : 3 Gold, 1 Bronze
2016 : 1 Silver
2017 : 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
2018 : 1 Silver

State level
2013 : 1 Bronze
2014 : 2 Gold, 1 Bronze
2015 : 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
2016 : 1 Gold, 1 Silver
2017 : 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
2018 : 2 Gold

Educationists Shamitha Rao and Renita Lobo

Renita and Shamitha, after obtaining degrees from a college in Mangalore University in 1995, have been running an educational institution that has classes right from LKG to PU class, for providing education to the deprived classes.

These two young women began to serve students at a school in Ramanagara near Bengaluru in 1996. But this school, in course of time, had to be closed down. Later, they decided to start LKG and first standard in a village named Shankarnarayana by the side of Siddapur road that is 30 kms away from taluk headquarter, Kundapur, near an Anganwadi centre. Since there was space constraint in the village, they met president of Shankarnarayana gram panchayat, after which he enabled them to start their school in G S Acharya theatre on a monthly rental of Rs 300. The school, named after Mother Theresa, which started off in 1998 with 12 students, has now grown into an institution running classes from LKG to PU class where 1,050 students are getting education. Students from 42 villages around Shankarnarayana and children of coolies who have come to work here from various places, are getting educated in this institution.

The decennial celebration of Naman Ballok Jesu, Konkani monthly will be celebrated on March 3, at 6 pm at Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte. Fr Charles Serrao, provincial of Karnataka – Goa Carmelite province will preside over the program and Msgr Maxim Noronha, vicar general, Mangalore diocese will be the guest of honour. Dr Ronald Anil Fernandes, member of KPSC, Karnataka government, Konkani poet Andrew L D’Cunha, Kannada-Konkani writer Muddu Thirthahalli and awadsponcers Mavis Rodrigues, Godwin Rasquinha and Sushma Rasquinha will grace the occasion. During this event a book and a Konkani Album in Konkani by Fr Alwyn Sequeira, Carmelite will be released. NBJ awardees and NBJ Global online Konkani poetry challenge- winners will be honored.

A Konkani play, 'Shirapachem Besanv' (Blessing of a Curse) – written by Joel Pereira and directed by Claud D’Souza and Jerome Moras will be staged.

NBJ Global Online Konkani Poetry Challenge was conducted in Facebook, for which huge response was received. The winners are:

Category 1: below 18

I Place – Viola ReeshaFernandes, Bellore
II Place – Preemal Pinto, Bajjodi
III Place – Arwin Chris D Cunha, Kulshekar

Category 2: Above 18

I Place – Aaron Babush Rodrigues, Jeppu
II Place – Sarah D Souza, Boliye
III Place – NorineFernandes, Permude-Dubai