by Dr Pratap Naik SJ

Goa, Mar 2: The State Art and Culture Department of Goa has selected Fr. Moreno de Souza, sj the one of the founding members and the First Director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) for its State Award.  The award will be conferred on him on 16th February 2007 at a public function at Margao. 

Fr. Moreno has been selected for his contribution to Konknni literature in Roman script.  His 21 Konknni books and one English book have been published.  He wrote Konknni exclusively in Roman script. 

He was the editor and publisher of the Konknni monthly Dor Mhoineachi Rotti for 42 years.  Besides he has written innumerable articles in Konknni and English to various periodicals.  Though he has crossed eighty years he still continues to write articles. 

For the last 55 years he has served Konknni in Roman script.  TSKK thanks the Goa Govt. for recognizing the contribution of Fr. Moreno to Konknni in Roman script and conferring him the State Award.   Now TSKK requests the Goa Govt. to give official recognition to Roman script in the Official Language Act 1987.