from Dr Pratap Naik SJ, executive director, TSKK

Alto Porvorim, Goa: Apr 7: In 2006, the Jesuit Order celebrates the triple jubilees of three of their comrades.

• On April 7, birth of St Francis Xavier: 500 years
• On April 13, birth of Blessed Peter Faber: 500 years
• and on July 31, death of St Ignatius de Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order: 450 years

Besides these on September 6, 2006, 450 years will be completed after the setting up of for the first printing press in India, which was brought to Goa by the Jesuit missionaries that day in 1556.

The first Konknni book was printed in that press during the period 1556 to 1561 in Roman script.

To commemorate these important events in Goa, Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) will organize the following competitions in Konknni.

• Category A: Konknni Short Story Competition
• Category B: Konknni Song Competition
• Category C: Konknni One Act Play Competition

Rules:

1.. These competitions are open to all.
2.. Topic or theme for these competitions is "Francis Xavier friend of the poor"
3.. The length of the Short story should be between 2000-2500 words.
4.. The length of the Song should be between 75-100 words. Musicians should be able to compose music for this song.
5.. One-act Play should be of 20-30 minutes duration.
6.. The entries to these competitions could be written in Konknni either in Roman script or in Devanagari script. Those who send entries in Devanagari script should follow the writing rules of TSKK. These writing rules are available at TSKK.
7.. Do not write your name on the competition material. Write your name and complete address, phone numbers, e-mail ID on a covering letter which has to be attached to each entry.
8.. One can take part in more than one category. However, one could send only one entry for each of the categories A or B or C.
9.. The entries should be either written with a neat handwriting or typed on one side of the paper leaving sufficient margins on either side of the paper. E-mail entries will not be considered.
10.. Prizes: Category A: First: Rs. 2,000/-; Second: Rs. 1,500/-; Third: Rs. 1,000/-
Category B: First: Rs. 750/-; Second: Rs. 500/-; Third: Rs. 250/-
Category C: First Rs. 4,000/-; Second: Rs. 3,000/-; Third: Rs. 2,000/-
11.. Consolation prizes will be award to deserving entries.
12.. TSKK will reserve its copyright of the Prize-winning and consolation prize entries.
13.. The last date for the entries to reach TSKK Office will be August 31, 2006.
14.. Prize distribution ceremony will be held in the month of October 2006.
15.. The decision of TSKK and its jury panel shall be final. No further correspondence on this matter will be entertained.
16.. The entries should be sent to the following address:

Konknni Competitions
Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr
B B Borkar Road
Alto Porvorim
Goa 403 521 INDIA
Phone: ( + 91 832) 2415857, 2415864