Honnavar: Konkani Honorary Awards Conferred on Cascia, Gerry & Kumbri
Daijiworld Media Network - Honnavar (MR)
Pics: Melvyn Rodrigues
Honnavar, Mar 10: Konkani Honorary Awards for the year 2007 were conferred on three individuals who had excelled in their own literary field, here on Sunday, March 9 at the Pratibhoday Kalamandir.
Francis Fernandes Cascia, for his contribution to Konkani drama, Dr. Gerald Pinto Niddody for literature and Manjayya Shivu Kumbri from Gerusoppa for folk art, received these awards during the function organized by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.
Dr Edward Nazareth, orthopedic surgeon, Fr Muller Hospital Mangalore and local gynecologist, Dr Sandeep Rao, were the chief guests of the occasion conferred awards on the awardees.
Koodla Anand Shanbhag introduced Francis Fernandes, Suvarna Gadd introduced Manjayya Kumbri and Vincent Alva introduced Dr Gerald Pinto to the gathering.
"Konkani people need a strong forum in Honnavar, which should involve various denominations of Konkani communities, to carry forward the torch of Konkani movement with zeal," said Eric Ozario, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, in his welcome address.
"Let all the Konkani parents raise their voice to the school authorities, in order to start teaching Konkani in schools" he urged.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Francis Fernandes said "If Konkani community likes whatever he does, please recognize it when he is living. Moreover, once the soul departs, the epitaph on the grave would not be of any significance". He thanked the Academy for recognizing his works in an opportune time.
"Konkani is truly 'Vishwa Kutumbi' (an extended family across the world) and Karnataka Academy has earnestly worked in this regard, for the past many years which have brought world recognition to Konkani" said Dr. Sandeep Rao in his address.
"In the era of globalization, English has drawn many of global languages. Konkani is one among them" said Dr Edward Nazareth, It is very important for the people of Uttar Kannda to urge the state and district administration, to press for their demand to begin teaching Konkani in schools, in order to bring back its old glory," he added.
Vitori Karkol compered the programme. H S Shivarudrappa, registrar of the Academy proposed vote of thanks.
Members of Konkani Samanvaya Committee Honnavar, Umesh Mesta, Suresh Tandela and members of the Academy Vitori Karkal, Vincent Alva, Koodla Anand Shanbhag, Keshava Tandela were present on the dais.
Earlier, the awardees including folk artistes were taken in a colourful procession on the main streets of the city.
The programme concluded with some folk dance presentation by the local artistes.
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