Charles and Teresa Rodrigues memorial competition

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 21: Kavita Trust, which works for the promotion of Konkani poetry, has announced the names of prize winners of its tenth All India Konkani poetry writing competition.

Andrea Menezes, tenth standard student of Our Lady of the Rosary High School, Dona Paula, Goa has won the first prize. Her poem ‘Kanni Maddachi’ (the story of a coconut tree) has been chosen for its contemporary theme.

Andrea Menezes and Sanika Pawar

Khyathi Nayak, Savari Phal Desai and Rahi Gaonkar

The government of Goa, last year, through an amendment to Preservation of Trees Act, 1984 withdrew the status of a tree given to coconut tree, which resulted in lot of uproar in Goa. Fearing it will be cut by everyone, in its personified form, the tree requests the people to rescue it from the dangers of getting extinct, at least in Goa.

Sanika Pawar, a seventh class student of Sarvodadaya Educational Society’s High School, Curchorem, Goa has won the second prize for her poem ‘Mhaka Dista’ (I Feel). The poem has been chosen for its simple, but powerful imagery to depict the tiny but selfless, expectations of a child.

Three students have been chosen for the third place. They are Khyathi Nayak, 8th class student of Canara High School, Dongerkeri, Mangaluru for his poem ‘Megelo Aan’ (My Father), Savari Phal Desai, 7th class student of Holy Cross Institute, Quepem, Goa for her poem ‘Kira Kira’ (Parrot) and Rahi Gaonkar, 8th class student of Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Valpoi, Sattari, Goa for her poem ‘Nhoim’ (The River).

While the winners will get cash prizes, certificates and mementos, all the 241 participants from Karnataka, Goa and Kerala will be sent certificates of appreciation.

The competition is being held every year in the memory of late Charles and Teresa Rodrigues, parents of Kavita Trust founder Melvyn Rodrigues.

Kannada author and critic Narendra Pai will distribute prizes on November 6 during a programme in Mangaluru which will be held at World Konkani Centre.