Divo Sahitya Puraskar Conferred on Kenny Zuzart, Fr Baptist Pais, Felix Malvani
News & Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (SB)
Mumbai, Jul 26: Divo Sahitya Puraskar – 2009 was given away to mark the 16th annual day of Divo, a Konkani weekly published in Kannada script and 19th annual celebration of Secular Citizen, English weekly at Francis Fernandes Cascia stage, Visveswaraiah auditorium of Karnataka Sangha, Matunga on Sunday July 25.
Mumbai diocese auxiliary bishop Fr Percival Joseph E Fernandez of Mangalore origin inaugurated the programme. Divo Sahitya Puraskar – 2009 was conferred on Sacred Heart Church, Andheri parish priest Fr Baptist Pais of Allipade, Bantwal origin, Kenny Zuzart, Konkani singer from Mangalore and Konkani organizer Felix D’Souza, Malvani, Karkala, while Divo Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Konkani composer and singer, Victor Concesso.
The late P D’Souza memorial annul Divo Award was given away to Jacinta D’Souza and Ligoury Lobo, while Fr Norbert Fernandes Divo Maria Jayanti Award was presented to Cecelia D’Costa and Fr Ivan D’Souza.
Bishop Fernandes also released the special edition of Divo on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, bishop Fernandes said that Divo, spreading the culture has been successful in winning the loyalty and hearts of the readers. He hoped that the weekly continues to voice the concern of the people in the future.
Ryan International Group of Schools administrative director Grace Pinto, who was the chief guest, launched sezariworld.com website of Divo media group.
Pinto said that there is a need for the christian community to stress on love for the mother tongue. Youth needs to be motivated by inculcating culture and tradition among them, she said and expressed the need for patrons in this regard similar to the works undertaken by Divo group.
Presiding over the ceremony, Model Co-operative Bank Ltd and Aldel Education Trust working president Albert W D’Souza said that the role of Divo weekly in creating timely social awareness is commendable. The works undertaken to recognize the talent in children is praiseworthy. He hoped that the website too meets the success similar to the weekly.
Blue Star Elevators Private Ltd administrative director Lawrence D’Souza, who was among the guests of honour commended the courage of Divo group in successfully running a vernacular weekly as running the print media in itself is not an easy job.
Fr Fernandes and postmaster general Charles Lobo were later felicitated. entrepreneur Antony Sequeira, John D’Silva, Henry Lobo, Harry Rebello, V P Lobo, Raymond Lobo Boliye, Peter D’Souza, Mulund, Johnson G Therattil Kalina, Augustino G Fernandes, corporator Alice J Therattil, Steven L D’Souza, advocate Pius Vaz and John Sequeira were the guests of honour.
Convenor and publisher of Divo and Secural Citizen weeklies Lawrence Coelho welcomed the gathering and delivered the keynote address. Veena D’Souza, Flora D’Souza Jerrimeri, Tressy Peris introduced awardees and Shanti Barboza, Lydia A D’Souza and Prameela D’Souza introduced the felicitated as well as read the citation.
Lawrence D’Souza Kamani introduced the guests. Divo weekly manager Suzanne Coelho and sub-editor Walter Lasrado among others honoured the guests.
Former sub-editor J B Moraes and Prameela V Mathias among others were honoured on the occasion. Assistant editor Naveen Kulshekar compered the programme and read out the congratulatory messages. Assistant editor S Lobo proposed the vote of thanks.
As part of the entertainment programme, children and various professional troupes presented Konkani culture through art.