Gokuldas Prabhu
All India Konkani Parishad

Mumbai, Dec 26: The 28th Session of the All India Konkani Parishad will be held at Veer Savarkar Sabhagrah, Shivaji Park, Mumbai, from February 17 to 19, 2012.

Aami Goenkar, a local association of Goans in Mumbai will be hosting the event. Aravind Bhatikar will preside over the Session.

Bhatikar, a retired IAS official has had a long, distinguished career as an administrator in various parts of the country. He has served as District Collector in Tamil Nadu and was the Chairman of the Mormugao Port Trust before laying down his office. At present, he is associated in different capacities with several State/Central Government and non-Government agencies.

Bhatikar has been a staunch supporter of Konkani’s long movement for recognition and empowerment and has participated in its various stages all along. Founder of Asmitai Pratishtan, Bhatikar is also involved in numerous socio-cultural, educational and environmental activities in Goa.

He was unanimously elected by the General Council of the All India Konkani Parishad, which met recently, to preside over the 28th Session of the Parishad.

The Parishad’s Session was last held at Mumbai in January 1997. The 28th Session is being planned in the metropolis after a lapse of 15 years and is expected to give impetus to Konkani activities there.