Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Nov 22: The release of 101st issue of Konkani weekly e-magazine in four scripts published from USA, will be held on November 24 at St Agnes College, informed editor and publisher of Veez Konkani weekly Dr Austin Prabhu.
Addressing media here on Friday November 22, Dr Austin Prabhu said, "Basti Vaman Shenoy, chairman of World Konkani Centre, Eric Ozario, gurkar, Mandd Sobhann, Hemacharya, editor-in-chief of ‘Daijiworld Monthly’, singer and composer Vishwas Rebimbus, Dr Jeswina A C , principal of St Agnes College and Fr Chethan Lobo, former editor of ‘Uzwad’ will grace the occasion.
Editor of the web portal Kittall.com Henry Mendonsa said, "In a unique way to bridge the gap among Konkani readers spread over four states of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala, writing in scripts namely Devnagari, Kannada, Roman and Malayalam, Chicago-based Mangalurean writer Dr Austin Prabhu has been publishing weekly e-magazine Veez Konkani. He has published 100 issues consistently and the 101th special issue will be released in a glittering ceremony to be held in St Agnes College at 6.00 pm sharp.
"Veez Konkani is organising literary competition in Devnagari and Kannada scripts since last year, in memory of Konkani music legend late Wilfy Rebimbus and prizes of this competition will be distributed during the programme. Website of Ashwadi Prakashan and ‘Ek Novo Somsar’ book by Fr Chethan Lobo will also be released during the event. The programme will conclude with a multilingual music concert Sur Project by Jaison J Sequiera,” he said.
Senior novelist Ron Roche Casia and Valley Quadras from Ashawadi Publications were present.
About Dr Austin Prabhu and Veez Konkani
Austin Prabhu was born in Nanthoor of Mangalore. In 1970s and 1980s he was dynamic youth leader, playwright, and actor in Mangaluru and set a record in Konkani by editing and publishing four papers at a time (Mithr, Jhelo, Kannik and Yuvak). He was founder secretary of Konkani Basha Mandal and his play ‘Ankwar Celly’ won best drama award from Goa Basha Mandal. After his migration to US, he became active in Lions and became first governor of Indian origin at Lions mother district. His service to the society is recognized by US by naming a street after his name in Illinois Province.
Continuing his love for Konkani language after his retirement, he started Veez Konkani a weekly magazine and by making best use of Konkan Verter, transliteration tool developed by World Konani Centre, Mangaluru, started publishing it in all four scripts that is Kannada, Devnagari, Roman and Malayalam. His unique idea of publishing magazine in all the four scripts has bridged the gap among the Konkani readers spread across four states and Veez Konkani has substantial readers across the globe. Moreover, Veez publishes free advertisements of Konkani events and it is free to read. Every issue features one Konkani achiever on cover page and carries Konkani news, articles and literature.