Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Feb 26: The outgoing president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Roy Castelino received a warm farewell from the Konkani people at Kalaangann here on Sunday, February 26.

Dignitaries including chief guest Albert D'Souza felicitated Roy Castelino with shawl, garland, fruits and citation on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering Roy Castelino said, "I am not used to awards and felicitations. During my three years tenure, I have done my duty to the best of my ability. If people accept my work, then that is a great satisfaction for me,"

“For the past 32 years, I was serving as builder and I have maintained the same discipline during my stint at the Academy. Konkani Lokotsav was planned three years ago and finally we succeeded in conducting the programme. If I succeeded in my work, credit should not go to me alone, but to all the members of Academy including Lawrence D Souza and Vithori Karkal for the support they gave me,” Roy added.

"In these three years of my journey as Academy president, I gained lot of experience where I got to meet all the Konkani communities. I learned about their culture and about the problems of each community,” he said.

"English language is required, but at the same time we need to promote and protect our language and try our best to explore folklore and cultural dimensions. The government officers transferred to coastal region can learn Konkani to interact with people so that the language gets some boost.” Roy opined.

"Mother tongue is always important as it is our identity. If we do not promote our mother tongue how it is possible to protect the language? 3-day Konkani Lokotsav was very successful with 12 committees and all Konkani communities working hard for the same.” Roy concluded.

Prof Narendra L Nayak from Expert College said, "Roy served his 32 years as builder and during his three years at the Academy, he has made Konkani stronger. He is builder in any field. Roy Castelino is an enthusiastic and charismatic person and he has done stupendous job in promoting Konkani Language."

Smitha Shenoy compered the programme.

CGS Taccode read out the citation.

Louis J Pinto, Eric Ozario, Prakash Shenoy, Dr Jayavantha Nayak, Dr Devadas B Pai and Dianicia Castelino and others were present.