Daijiworld Media Network – Honnavar (MS)
Honnavar, Nov 15: The award presentation ceremony for the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy’s Honorary Award and Book Award 2023 was held on Sunday, November 10, at Shanbhag Residency, Kasarakod.
The award recipients were brought to the venue in a grand procession featuring various cultural performances. Asha Devaray Mesta and team presented Kumba Kalasha, Nelson Lopez and team showcased doll dance, Costa Fernandes and team performed Shigmo dance, Agnel Lopez and the Mother Theresa Band presented a brass band show, Mariyani M Siddi and team from Mundagodu performed Siddi Janapada dance, Laxman Kharvi and team showcased Kharvi Janapada dance, and Suresh C Naik and team presented Gumte Fang.
The stage programme was presided over by Joachim Stany Alvares, president of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy. George Fernandes, president of Milagres Cooperative Society, was the chief guest. Other dignitaries included Kasarkod Panchayat president Mankali Prakash Harijan, Mahajan Sabha president Mohan Nagesh Banavalikara, Tanzi Bhatkal vice president Mohiddin Ruknaddin, Mangaluru Diocese PRO Roy Castelino, and Academy Registrar Rajesh G.
Joachim Stany Alvares welcomed the gathering, stating that the academy is a public asset and is committed to organizing programmes in regions where Konkani-speaking people reside. He expressed the academy's willingness to support community welfare initiatives by the Konkani people.
Honorary Award winners Marcel M D’Souza, Harry Fernandes, and Ashoka Kasarkod, along with Book Award winners Mary Salomi D’Souza, Stephen Mascarenhas (Hemacharya), and Fr Royson Fernandes, were felicitated during the ceremony. The awardees shared their thoughts and expressed gratitude to their supporters.
Academy members James Lopez (member convener), Naveen Lobo, Ronald Crasta, Samarth Bhat, Fr Prashant Madtha, Akshatha Nayak, Pramod Pinto, Srinivas Gowda, Dayanand Madkekar, Jagadish Kharvi, and Mamdu Ibrahim were present.
Victor Mathias compered the event, while Registrar Rajesh G delivered the vote of thanks. Manoj Lopez and team provided musical entertainment after the stage programme concluded.