Media Release
Udupi, Feb 16: While encouraging other languages, everyone must also cherish and love their mother tongue, Konkani, by making it a mandatory part of daily conversations at home. This will contribute to its development, said the bishop of Udupi diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo.
He was addressing the gathering as the president of the 11th anniversary celebration of 'Uzwad', the diocesan fortnightly magazine, at the Anugraha Pastoral Centre Kakunje Ambagilu on Sunday, February 16.
"Today, while we ensure that our children receive quality education and become proficient in other languages, we must also use Konkani at home to keep it alive. Alongside supporting newspapers in other languages, it is essential to promote the goals of the holy Church through publications in our mother tongue. When every Konkani speaker takes responsibility for this, the survival of the language will be assured," he stated.
Renowned writer Valerian Quadros Ajekar, the chief guest, emphasised that the Konkani community has always supported its writers in times of hardship, and this practice must continue. By doing so, Konkani writers will be able to contribute to literature with unity and dedication, he said.
During the event, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo released two books published by Deepa Trust – 'Jerikocho Pagor' by Uzwad editor Fr Alwyn Sequeira and 'Thalo' by young writer Ansita D’Souza.
Winners of the literary and quiz competitions organised by Uzwad were honoured during the programme.
Also present on the dais were Udupi diocese's public relations officer Fr Denis D’Sa and Praveen Tauro, Mangaluru coordinator of the Daiji Dubai Association.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, vicar general of the diocese and head of Deepa Trust. Fr Alwyn Sequeira, editor of Uzwad, delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Dr Vincent Alva.
Following the formal ceremony, members of the theatre studies centre from St Aloysius Deemed University, Mangaluru, staged the Konkani play 'Hang On'.