Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/CN)
Mangalore, Jun 26: The ‘Konkani Kuttom Award 2008,’ instituted by Konkani Kuttom Bahrain, will be presented to renowned orthopaedic surgeon and Konkani writer Dr Edward Nazareth at 7 pm on Saturday, July 12, at Sandesha Kalabhavan.
The award carries a citation, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 50,000. A native of Attinja village of Shirva parishof Mangalore Diocese, Dr Nazareth has been working with Fr Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), for many years.
Fr Patrick Rodrigues, director of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions, will be the chief guest at the function. Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief of daijiworld.com, and Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan, will be guests of honour.
Dr Nazareth is an accomplished litterateur in Konkani, and says that he derives inspiration from his personal experiences, particularly those from his childhood in the village. His interest in literature dates back to his school days when he would spend entire holidays reading novels.
The first time he had his name published in a newspaper called ‘Poinnari’, a weekly from Mumbai, he was just a student of class nine. However, his early forays into writing were limited to translations from Kannada to Konkani. By the time he reached PUC, his short stories for children began appearing in ‘Raknno’. This continued during the years he studied medicine and by the time he began his clinical training, he had started writing on health issues.
Soon his articles on health were a regular feature in Raknno and it has now 25 years since he embarked on this path. Dr Nazareth’s writing finds a place in almost all Konkani periodicals. His question and answer columns are very popular with readers. The column that appears in Raknno is called ‘Mogachya Dakteraba’. His similar column on daijiworld.com is ‘Ask Doctor’. His collection of health articles titled, ‘Bari Bhalaki’ was brought out by Raknno in 1985.
Dr Nazareth has authored two books on sex education called ‘Yuvazonank Laimgik Shixan’ (Sex Education for the Youth), in 1993 and ‘Kazari Laimgik Jivit’ (Married Sex Life), published in 1995. Both are products of his own publishing house named Nazareth Publications. In 1998, he also brought out a book on child care, termed ‘Bhurgyamchi Zathan’ which is highly sought after.
Dr Nazareth also has to his credit four short story collections and two novels. ‘Bhumi Vainkuntamth’, ‘Advarlelem Pholl’, ‘Saimbachem Pathak’, and ‘Chamadoracho Puth’ are the short stories whereas ‘Kantyanim Bhandllem Vodth’, and ‘Nirmonem’ are the novels.
He served as editor of the Karnataka orthopaedic association journal in 2002, has been an editor for the journal of orthopaedic association of south Indian states from 2004 to 2006. He is also the president of Konkani writers’ forum, Karnataka (Regd.), member of family council of Mangalore diocese, and has been a resource person in several seminars for youth, married couples, and senior citizens, organized in the diocese.
Dr Nazareth has also served as president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka (Regd.) and is a recipient of the prestigious Konkani Sahitya Academy award for ‘Bhumi Vainkuntamth’. He has also received the Dr T M A Pai Foundation appreciation award twice.
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