Mumbai: Wilson Olivera and Leo Fernandes Bag 'Divo' Award
Media Releae
Mumbai, Nov 13: This year’s Prestigious ‘Divo Sahitya Puraskar 2008’, a Rs. 50,000 Cash Award Goes to two Konkani eminent figures one each from Kundapur, Mangalore Wilson Olivera, Padukone and from Mumbai Leo Fernandes, Jerimeri. The award has been shared equally, each one getting Rs. 25,000, a ‘Mann Potr’ and Memento; Wilson Olivera (42) is a singer and Musician and has staged his musical shows in India and abroad. Mr. Leo Fernandes (47) a Konkani activist in Mumbai for over 15 years. They have been selected from the several entries received earlier, by a specially appointed selection panel comprising Francis Fernandes Cascia (Dramatist), Walter Lasrado (Konkani Writer), Navin Kulshekar, (Konkani Writer), S. Lobo (Konkani Writer), Johnson D’Almeida, (Social Activist). The Selection of candidates for the award is made on the basis of those who have made excellent contribution towards Konkani.
Wilson Olivera, Leo Fernandes
The cash amount of Rs. 50,000 is raised by reserving a portion of advertisement amount in the ‘Divo Mt. Mary special issue’ published during 1
st week of September 2008. The award will be presented to the winners at a grand function which will be held sometimes in Janurary 2009.
The earlier recipients of ‘Divo Sahitya Puraskar’ are Ronald Pereira, Mumbai; Molly Lobo, Mumbai; P. D'Souza, Mumbai; Edde Netto, Mangalore; Late Amiyar Bombay, Mumbai; Rev. Fr. Norbert Fernandes, Mangalore; Fr. Pratap Naik, S.J., Goa; Valley Quadras, Ajekar (Kuwait); Concepta Alva, Mangalore; Cyprian Albuquerque, Mumbai; Fr. V. J. Menezes OFM CAP Bangalore; Wilfred Fernandes, Mumbai; Dr. Gerald Pinto, Udupi and Rons Bantwal, Mumbai.
Francis Fernandes, Johnson Ameida, Walter Lasrado, Stany Lobo and Neveen Kulshekar
DIVO, a popular Illustrated Konkani Weekly, edited by Lawrence Coelho having large readership is published from Mumbai since Fourteen years. It is in Kannada script and is widely read in Karnataka, Mumbai and in Gulf countries as well. The award of this nature is being given successively for the Eighth year in continuity. Divo is a sister publication of The Secular Citizen.
V D'Silva
‘Divo Jinye Sadhan Puraskar 2008’
‘Divo Jinye Sadhan Puraskar 2008’ (Life-time Achievement Award 2008) is declared by DIVO for the first time this year is awarded to V. D’Silva for 2008.
V. D'Silva (71) is a Poet, Writer and has been promoter of Konkani traditions such as Vovyos, Verse, etc., and participated in 'Konkani Nirantari' programme organised by 'Mand Soban' in Mangalore which is recognised as a world record by Guinness Book of World Records. He has published several books including one on traditional weddings entitled 'Amchim Adlim Kazaram' of which 2nd reprint is also sold out. He is mostly seen in Konkani programmes in traditional Konkani dress which includes 'Kutanv', 'Thodop' and 'Urmal'. His service to Konkani spans over 28 years.