Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 6: St Aloysius Deemed to be University organized a one-day national conference on ‘Digital Touch to Konkani’in association with Konkani Adhyayana Peeta, Mangaluru University on January 30 in Robert Sequeira Hall, LCRI Block.
Dr Jayaraj Amin, honorable vice-chancellor of Mangalore University was the chief guest. Sonia Crasta, renowned Konkani writer was the guest of honour. Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto, SJ, rector of St Aloysius Institution presided over the programme. Dr Praveen Martis, SJ, vice chancellor in-charge, Dr Alwyn D’Sa, registrar and controller of examinations, Dr Jayavantha Nayak, co-ordinator, Konkani Adhyayana Peeta, Mangalore University, Flora Castelino, head, department of Konkani, Saritha Crasta and Rishal Noronha, staff coordinators, Melcon D’Souza and Joshua Sequeira, secretaries of Konkani Sangha were on the dais.
Dr Jayavantha Nayak welcomed the gathering and gave the introductory remarks.
Rector Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto, in his presidential remarks spoke on the importance of one’s mother tongue. He elaborated the dialects of Konkani language. There were quite a number of stalwarts who have contributed their legacy of writings in Konkani Language. We have to preserve these works in the digital format for future references. He said that the management of St Aloysius Institutions always supports such need-based endeavors.
The chief guest, Dr Jayaraj Amin in his address spoke on the importance of digitalization of the works of the litterateurs for future reference. He said that the digital touch of any language will help people to come together and strengthen them to connect globally.
During the programme, the book comprising of 3 dramas of the late Cha Fra D'Costa translated from Konkani to English by Dr Sylvia Rego, professor, department of English, was released.
There were two sessions during the programme. Dr Tariq Khan, lecturer-cum-junior research officer, CIIL Mysore, spoke on ‘Linguistics as a Knowledge Laboratory’. Royal Praveen D’Souza, department of computer science, St Aloysius Deemed to be University, spoke on ‘Advances in Machine Translation’.
Severine Pinto, staff coordinator, Konkani Sangha compered the programme.
The valedictory programme was held in the evening. Roy Castelino, Former president of Konkani Sahitya Academy advisory committee was the chief guest. Dr Alwy D’Sa, registrar, St Aloysius Deemed to be University, presided over the programme.