Mangalore: Sevak 50 - A Golden Moment on a Golden Occasion
by Florine Roche
Pics by Dayananda Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Oct 11: It was an evening most would look forward to especially on a Sunday evening.
“Bhangarotsav”, the event to mark the golden jubilee celebration of “Sevak”, Konkani monthly, organized at Don Bosco Hall, had all the ingredients to make it an epoch making event. There was entertainment, melodrama, fun, dance, music, surprises and of course emotions galore to make it a memorable evening. In the midst of this memorable event there was a touching moment as the function began by observing one minute silence in memory of the recent flood victims and the families affected by the natural calamity.
Rev. Bishop Aloysius Paul D Souza who presided over the golden jubilee celebration described it as ‘history making event’. “When a man reaches 50 years he is able to accomplish most of his dreams and ambitions and almost settles in life. But for a publication completing 50 years is nothing but creating history. Sevak celebrating 50 years of publication is a proud moment in the history of Konkani publication. By enrolling 18,000 subscribers ‘Sevak’ has created history and has made us all proud”, he pointed out.
Wishing many more fruitful years ahead in the service of family, the Bishop commended the publication for identifying the three families and for felicitating them during the event. “It was thoughtful and a unique way to identify these families” he said referring to the awards given to three families for their uniqueness and through that for contributing to the betterment of the society. Sevak has immensely contributed for promoting family values, spiritual values and for the promotion of Konkani thus promoting the wellbeing of the society in general”, he stated.
In a unique gesture the golden jubilee celebration of the monthly included present golden jubilee awards in three unique categories, which made this function a unique one. Serrao family of Moodbidri which contributed 7 children out of 11 in the service of god and humanity (6 priests and 1 nun) was felicitated by the Bishop for their unique contribution. The other unique award instituted was for the couple who spent highest number of marital years together. The couple Joan D Souza (92) and his wife (Angeline D Souza) (88) bagged the award for spending 69 years of marital life, a record which is sure to remain for years to come. The crowd greeted the couple with a thunderous applause as they came to the stage for felicitation. The third special award was for the catholic family with the highest number of children. Belthangady’s Thimothy Rodrigues and his wife Lilly Rodrigues who have 16 children bagged this award and the couple was felicitated by Fr Vincent Gabriel Furtado, Karnataka state Provincial, Capuchin. They were felicitated with a shawl, a citation, mementos and cash awards.
Prizes were also given away to the winners of the competitions Sevak had organized to mark its golden jubilee celebration in categories such short story, poetry and humorous writing. Fr Oswald Monteiro scored a double winning 1st place in short story and humorous writing category.
The shadow of the havoc caused by the recent floods in the state had its echoes in the celebrations of the golden jubilee celebrations. Many of the chief guests scheduled to grace the occasion could not be present as they are busy overseeing the relief operations in the flood affected areas. Rev Fr Vincent Gabriel Furtado, Karnataka State Provincial of Capuchin was the guest of honour. Francis Fernandes, Cascia, Walter Nandalike, Editor in Chief of Daijiworld.com, Ivan D Soouza, Advocate and Vice President of D K District Congress Committee, Stanly Fernandes, Muscat and Leo Rodrigues, Abu Dhabi were the guests of honour on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Ivan D Souza commended Sevak for providing a forum for Konkani writers and thus promoting Konkani language. “I salute the Capuchins for their selfless service to humanity. Even after 50 years Sevak shines like gold with its contribution to strengthen the institution called family”, he opined.
Editor-in-Chief of daijiworld.com recalled that that he began his writing career with Sevak as a teenager and said it was momentous occasion for him to be a part of the golden jubilee celebration of the publication. “It is a matter of great pride that Sevak has been able to have 18,000 subscribers, which speaks of its popularity. Sevak has ushered in a revolution, newness in the last 5 years and has created its place in history of Konkani publications”, he stated.
The occasion also marked the release of CD “Utsav”, containing 10 songs written by Capuchin brothers and was released by Francis Fernandes. The Souvenir to mark the occasion was released by Walter Nandalike. The Music Directors, lyricists and writers were invited to the stage and were felicitated.
On the historic occasion all the 12 editors of Sevak who had guided the publication since its inception were remembered for their contribution in popularizing Sevak and were felicitated though only 4 of them could be present on the stage. The founder editor 98 year old Fr Vincent Lobo could not be present due to ill health but his message was read out to the people.
The suave editor of Sevak Fr John Harry D Souza welcomed the gathering and also presented the vote of thanks. He also provided the perfect melodrama for the event when he declared that behind his success there is woman. It was none other than his mother who he said provided the inspiration required for him to shouldering the responsibility assigned to him in the last five years as editor of Sevak. As he invited the woman of his inspiration to the stage to be felicitated by Rev Bishop Aloysius Paul D Souza, the assembled crowd expressed their happiness with a thunderous approval.
The event took off with a welcome song presented by the students of Sandesha Prathishtana. It was indeed a musical night with “Ye Manaa” group providing a perfect entertainment bonanza with songs and dance befitting the occasion. Comedy by Jerry Rasquinha and Joseph Pinto provided the humour element sending waves of laughter among the audience. The stage programme which began after an hour of music and dance continued after the stage programme. Geo Agrar played the role of compere with aplomb.