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Udupi, Nov 16: The ‘Best Konkani Book Award-2007’ instituted by the Dr T M A Pai Foundation, was presented to Prof Bhushan Bhave of Goa, at a function held on Saturday November 15, at the Nehru Memorial Library hall, Manipal.

Books authored by Prakash Pariyenkar, Fr Eric Crasta, and Dr Jyotsna K Kamat, also received appreciation certificates. The awards were presented by K K Pai, president, Dr T M A Pai Foundation. The first prize consists of Rs 25,000 and a citation. The authors of the books that have been selected for appreciation were given  Rs 5,000 in cash  alongwith a  citation.

T Ranga Pai, deputy registrar, Manipal University, U Vidyavantha Acharya, principal, Sharada Residential School, Udupi, Lt Col V F D’Souza, principal, Dr T M A Pai Polytechnic, Manipal, and B Shantaram Baliga, editor, ‘Panchkadayi’ Konkani monthly magazine, introduced the authors to the gathering. The awardees were also felicitated by M V Kamath, veteran journalist and trustee, Dr T M A Pai Foundation. The welcome address was given by K K Pai, and the vote of thanks by Dr h Shantaram.

Profile of Awardees:
 
Prof Bhushan Bhave, 39, from Fisgal, Mardol, Goa, is a college lecturer who has also edited several books. ‘Matoli’, is the book authored  by him that has brought him the ‘best Konkani Book Award – 2007’. It is a work in which qualities, descriptions of forms and appearances, and uses of various plants, fruits, flowers, nuts, vegetables, both naturally-grown and cultivated, are described in a scientific way. Bhave is involved with different forms of literature like small stories, linguistic science, research, music, translation, grammar, and botany.

Prakash Pariyenkar, 40, holds an MA degree in Konkani, an MCom in management studies, and a BEd degree in Konkani. He is presently working as a Konkani lecturer in Goa University. His work ‘Davarane’, a collection of essays, has won him the appreciation. Pariyenkar has written plays for children, as well as small stories, and is the recipient of various awards.

Fr Eric Crasta, born in Narampady of Kasargod district on December 17, 1963, is presently the priest in Fatima Church, Tannirbavi. His first work, ‘Naada’, a collection of editorials written for ‘Raknno’, has been selected for the honour. He holds an MA in Social Science, MBA in human resources management, a post graduate diploma in journalism and mass communication, and a post graduate diploma in commerce management. Fr Crasta is also proficient in theology and philosophy and worked as assistant priest in Meramajal and Bendore churches, besides serving as assistant director of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions and as editor of Raknno for eight years.

Jyotsna Krishnananda Kamat, 70, has MA and Phd degrees. She retired as the director of Akashvanim Bangalore in 1994. Her book, ‘Suragyasara’, has brought her this recognition. Besides eight Kannada books, an English book, and one in Konkani, over a hundred articles written by her have been published by publications of different languages. Her work, ‘Karnataka Shikshana Parampare’, won the best research work award from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy in 1991. She was also the unanimously chosen president of the 15th Annual Conference of the History Academy held in Udupi in 2001.