Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 2: “Konkani Journals and periodicals contributed to the immense growth of Konkani literature. Konkani journalism has a history of 110 years. The commitment of Konkani editors and publishers in shaping the careers of today's celebrated Konkani writers is worth recognizing. By bestowing a journalism award on a senior Konkani journalist ARSO is doing a great job. Along with senior journalists young and upcoming Konkani journalists should also be recognized and honoured,“ said Ln Dr Austin Prabhu, editor-publisher of one and only digitally illustrated Konkani weekly Veez Konkani published in Chicago for the last five-and-half years.

Dr Prabhu was speaking on the occasion at Maria Jayanti Mandir, Jeppu Mangaluru conferring ARSO Journalism Award 2022 to senior Konkani journalist Avil Rasqunha.

Abu Dhabi-based NRI entrepreneur CA Valerian D'Almeida conferred Leo Rodrigues Family Kittall Youth Award 2022 on Clive D’Souza Boliye on behalf of the Leo Rodrigues Family. He lauded the committed contribution and unstinted support of NRI Entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues, whom he knew since his student days to the growth of the Konkani language, literature, art, music, and culture in India and abroad. CA D'Almeida stressed the need for applied media education and requested scribes to focus on villages where real talents are growing.

Senior banker Stephen Pinto and educationist Oswald Rodrigues were guests of honour.

H M Pernal, editor – publisher of Kittall.com, Wilson Kateel, editor of ARSO, and poet-thinker Titus Noronha, chairman of the award selection committee were present on the dais.

Host of Konkani writers, artists, well-wishers of Arso and Kittall, and family members of awardees were present.