Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 21: ‘Sangath Suvalo 2019’, a national level Konkani cultural fest was conducted on the January 18 by Konkani Sangha of St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru. The main aim of this programme was to enhance the Konkani culture and to promote Konkani language. Students from various schools and colleges from Mangaluru and Goa had participated in the fest.
The inauguration of this Konkani fest was held at Fr L F Rasquinha Hall at 9:30 am. Wilson Roshan Sequiera, a renowned Konkani poet, popularly known as Wilson Kateel, was the chief guest for the programme. Fr Valerian Fernandes who is presently the editor of Raknno and is well known for his Konkani writings was the guest of honour. Fr Dr Praveen Martis, principal of St Aloysius College presided over the programme.
The programme began with God's Grace with a hymn, sung by the college choir. The guests were escorted to the dais by the presidents of Konkani Sangha Renita Menezes and Renita Aranha along with the student secretaries Meghal Dcunha and Lashwina Montheiro. RenitaMenezes welcomed the gathering. The fest was inaugurated traditionally by lighting the lamp by the dignitaries.
Chief guest Wilson Kateel encouraged the gathering to promote Konkani, as youths of today play a major part in promoting our language to the future generations. Guest of honor Fr Valerian Fernandes encouraged the gathering to take some time and start writing small articles in Konkani.
Principal Fr Dr Praveen Martis in his presidential address told that in different ways the college is promoting Konkani language in the college. The student strength in Konkani department is increasing every year and students are interested to take Konkani as a second language in college. Student secretary of Konkani Sangha Lashwina Montheiro proposed the vote of thanks and thanked everyone for being the part of the national level Konkani cultural fest. Anjeline D’Souza compered the inauguration programme.
Sangath Suvalo hosted six different competitions for both high school and degree students.The competitions poetry writing, painting, pick and speak, group singing, group dance and comedy skit were held. Students from different schools and colleges actively participated in these competitions.
The valedictory programme of Sangath Suvalo was held at Fr L F.Rasquinha Hall. Dr Veronica Judith Pinto, former vice-principal of Administrative Block, St Aloysius College was the chief guest for the programme. Fr Dr Melwyn Pinto, director of Konkani Institute and Dr Alwyn D’Sa, director, Administrative Block, St Aloysius College were the guests of honour. Renita Aranha welcomed the gathering. Chief guest Dr Veronica Judith Pinto explained about how St Aloysius College has been promoting Konkani language from so many years. Fr Dr Melwyn Pinto told about the history when an Italian priest called Fr Maffie who came to Mangaluru with other Jesuits wrote an article in Konkani. Dr Alwyn D’Sa briefed about the various activities which are conducted in college to promote Konkani language.
On this occasion, the winners of ‘Christmas Sambhram’ competitions held in December were awarded with the prizes. Chief guest along with the guests of honour distributed the prizes to the winners of the Sangath Suvalo competitions. In High School category St.Aloysius High School Mangalore were the Overall Champions and Holy Redeemer High School Beltangady were the runners-up. In degree college category Padua College of Commerce and Management were the overall champions and the runners up were Milagres College. The student secretary of Konkani Sangha Meghal D’Cunha proposed the vote of thanks and thanked everyone who supported to make ‘Sangath Suvalo 2019’, a grand success. Deon Fernandes compered the valedictory programme.