Daijiworld Media Network - Goa
Report from Gasper Almeida
Margao, Jul 22: Goa Konkani Akademi president, Pundalik Naik was conferred the prestigious ‘Gulab Man of the Year' award at a glittering function held at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Margao on July 20, 2008 on the 55th birth anniversary of Gulab founder editor late Fr Freddy J da Costa.
Chief guest Eduardo Faleiro presenting Gulab’s Man of the Year to Pundalik Naik
Forest Minister Filipe Neri presenting Gulab’s Director of the Year to Roseferns
Mumbai based tiatrist Rio Rosa presenting the Goan Review Man of the Year award to Romaldo Rodrigues
Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion Faleiro stressed the need to bring together Konkani in Roman and devanagri script and asserted that the government should help and support both the scripts as they are keeping the language alive. However, Konkani should be taught in the devanagri script in shools he opined.
Gulab editor Fausto V da Costa while addressing the jam packed auditorium urged all Konkani activists to agree on a single agenda and have a clear vision in the interest of the language. He condemned the balancing act being performed in the name of Konkani and opined that this will damage the language rather than help it.
While opining that the age old struggle over the language was sustained by the common people, he decried the recent trend of seeking grants.
Meanwhile the Gulab Roman Konkani writer award went to Soter Barreto, a renowned Roman Konkani litterateur. Child prodigy Ivanna Furtado bagged the Gulab Sportsperson of the Year.
In the tiatr category, the best musician award went to Carlito Fernandes for the tiatr “Amkam Xanti Di”. The best singer male award was bagged by Francis de Tuem who is popular for his political songs, while Roshan won the award for best singer female.
Theatre personality Fermino Goes won the best actor award for his popular role “Nagappa” in Roseferns tiatr “Ami Goenkar, Tumi Konn?” Seasoned actress Felcy won the best actress award for her portrayal in the tiatr “Ho Bazar Kiteak Cholta?” The award for the best actor in comic role went to Selvy for his role in Agostinho’s “Sir”.
Agostinho who has earned much fan following as a comedian won the award for best tiatr writer for his tiatr “Sir”, while Roseferns, the king of Centuries won the Gulab Award for best Director of the year for his tiatr “Ami Goenkar, Tumi Konn?”
Acclaimed writer-director-actor Mario Menezes’ daughter Baby Rioma Menezes won the award for best Child Artiste for her debut performance in the tiatr “Hevui Chukik Bhogsonnem Nam.”
Romaldo Rodrigues who has been tirelessly working for Konkani by getting subscriptions for Konkani publications was conferred the Goan Review Man of the Year award.
Winners of the literary competition organized by Fr Freddy J da Costa Memorial Trust were also presented their certificates at the hands of Mrs. Serafina da Costa, mother of late Fr Freddy.
The function was very well compeered by renowned theatre personalities Aplona and Mario Menezes.
Fabian G da Costa, the manager of Gulab proposed the vote of thanks.