Mangalore: Sevak Konkani Monthly on Threshold of Golden Jubilee

by Gladson D'Almeida
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Sevak Konkani monthly which was started 50 years ago, has taken top spot in subscription among all the Konkani magazines published in Kannada script today . Sevak, which has become one of the favourite Konkani magazines, has initiated a revolution in Konkani world with its vibrant marketing, ever-growing readership, informative columns etc.  The monthly which ranks numero uno among all Konkani magazies in terms of subscription and total readership, boasts of a memorable but tedious journey.
 
Sevak was floated by a devout priest Fr Vincent Lobo, OFM Cap in October 1959 on the occasion of 750 anniversary of founding of Franciscan order. While the retail copy cost a mere 15 paisa, annual subscription was fixed at one rupee. The journal contained wide range of articles in Konkani and inspirational columns. The basic goal was to spread the love of Konkani, promote vocations and nurture family bonds among the Secular Franciscans (Third Order). It was named as 'Sevak of Franciscan Third order'. 
 
The early years were never a bed of roses with to Fr Lobo or to others who were associated with it. Fr Lobo was devoted to the mission of publishing the Sevak by first week of the month, braving all the odds of securing the articles, editing, coordinating with printing press, amid responsibilities at the Friary.  There was dearth of quality Konkani writers during those days. Moreso, there were only a few who devoted time for spiritual writing for which Sevak was known.  The late Msgr Sylvester Menezes, the late Fr Albert Pinto, the late Fr Maurice Paul, the late Marcel Pinto and Felix Paul Noronha, Liyab and others were like the pillars of Sevak in these formative years. Felix Paul Noronha of Kadle who was an employee of a tile factory and active member of Franciscan Third Order was the right hand of Fr Vincent Lobo and helped in each and every thing.
 
Initially Konkani writers, both priests as well as laity, contributed their skills through stories, articles etc.  Fr Lobo though quite elderly in age, was looking young when he continued the tedious job of supplying edited copies of manuscripts to printing press and later dispatching the copies to the respective subscriber. 

Sevak of Franciscan Third Order, as it was known at that time was initially supported by tertiary brothers and nuns.  Since Sevak of Franciscan Order was becoming stereotype with its articles, even the readers were limited to certain sections. So the need of applying some refreshing thoughts and bringing in more variety was felt. Accordingly, Sevak of Franciscan Third Order became 'Sevak of Christian Family' in the very next year. This was indeed a heralding of new era.
 
Although Fr Lobo was capable of unprecedented task of dispatching the copies of Sevak to distant parishioners, collect subscription, he often felt the need to employ others considering the his age and the situation that prevailed then.
 
Initially the growth of Sevak was shunted since the Friars did not have their own printing press. It was in 1970 that Capuchins established the now famous "Assisi Printing Press." Fr Vincent Lobo again shouldered the responsibility of founding this press which in the later years played a major role in the growth of Sevak. 

Fr Lobo was joined by other friars who undertook the journey to far away parishes securing subscriptions and managed to publish the Sevak Konkani monthly, out of their love for Konkani while the readers got the glimpse of lives of friars, their sacrifices and enjoyed spiritual reading.  The number of subscription also steadily increased.

Fr Vincent was soon joined by other Friars in this mission of spreading the love of Konkani and promoting spirituality through Konkani journalism. It was owing to their selfless efforts that Sevak which was hitherto published once in two months became a monthly. With this even the number subscribers increased and Sevak soon created a niche for itself in Konkani journalism.
 
As the list of subscribers was manually maintained, their names were repeated several times which resulted in unnecessary wasting of nearly 800 copies.  But once Ancy Paladka extended computer software, this lacunae was plugged effectively.
 
When Sevak wanted to contact the government for concessions, it came to light, papers of registration were missing. So there was no other way than changing its name and applying for fresh registration. Accordingly Sevak became 'Kutmacho Sevak' (Sevak of the Family) in the year 2000.  Thus the first step taken in 1959 has now led Sevak to the threshold of 50 glorious years.
 
Sevak editors:
 
Fr Vincent Lobo not only founded Sevak, but stayed with it till it could stand on its own. He led from the front from 1959 to 1971 before Fr Prasad Pinto shouldered the responsibilities for a year in 1971.
 
Sevak received a much-needed boos when young Fr Vincnt Menezes took over as the editor in 1972. He continued for next 9 years, lending his energies and talents for the growth of Sevak.  Fr Vitus Prabhudas along with Fr George Olivera shared the responsibility from 1981 to 1986 before Fr Prashanth Coelho took over and continued upto 1990. 

Sevak Editors

Fr Roshan Menezes was the next editor and he shouldered the responsibility for the next 6 years. He was assisted by young Fr Eddie Premdas Pinto for about two years in this mission.
 
Fr Rupert Barboza took over as the editor in 1996 ushred in changes immediately.  He along with Ancy Paladka computerized subscribers' list and gave a news shape to Sevak, before handing over to talented an young writer Fr Chetan. The latter introduced modern technology both in Sevak and Assisi Press along with Fr Henry Vas who was the manager of the press. But soon Fr Chetan left abroad for his higher studies placing Sevak in the hands of another young writer-priest Fr Prakash Lobo. He devoted his entire four years towards improving the standard of language, working towards registration and clearing all the postal obstacles. 
 
At present:
 
The young Fr John Harry D Souza is at the helm of Sevak since November 2004. Perhaps it was God's own will that he should be taking Sevak during this phase. Fr John Harry 'breathes, eats and drinks Sevak' perhaps.  In the last four years, Sevak has achieved unprecedented growth, despite criticisms and negligence by a few. Sevak perhaps has come as Tsunami in Konkani journalism. His love for Konkani, dedication and commitment for this mission has taken Sevak to the top of the charts.

When he took over only 2075 copies were sold out of which 1600 were only subscribers. But in July 2008 the count stood at 17,000, out of which 16,100 are subscribers. Every month almost 700 readers are added to Sevak family. 

He is a progressive thinker and revolutionary in his own right who is known to be innovative at all times.  He is also a skilled marketing man and renowned preacher.  He has taken the Sevak to number one slot among the Konkani journals and has realized the dream dreamt by Fr Vincent Lobo 50 years ago.
 
Sevak Publication:
 
Sevak Publication has been the one stop for all publishing including Konkani in the jet-set age in the city. It had published 18 books till 2004 while it has published another 18 books from 2004.
 
Past and present:
 
It was a tough task to outsource the publishing of Sevak from other printers in the past, and at a time when the editor was compelled to give quality reading to Konkani speaking families in 8 pages. It gradually graduated to 36 pages when it completed 45 years.

But today with coloured pages, informative articles, Sevak is published in 76 pages for a retail price of Rs 10.  Sevak has everything that a family needs and asks for. Enriching spiritual write-ups, jokes, question-and-answer and short stories etc have been favourite with majority readers. It covers broader issues of youth, women, religious, cookery, family, matrimonial, etc. 
 
At the changed scenario, the Sevak has great impact on advertising which was hitherto reserved to a select few publications.  Owing to the reach of Sevak in every Konkani speaking families, the private establishments and others are seeking to advertise in Sevak.
 
The Sevak will be celebrating its golden jubilee soon. Today Sevak need not go for publicity as this task is taken up by its readers.  There is no wonder if Sevak turns weekly soon. May all these dreams come true and Sevak continue to server families.