Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Nov 23: The prestigious Vishwa Konkani Awards were conferred on seven eminent achievers in various fields in a grand ceremony held at T V Raman Pai Hall here on Saturday November 23.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Ramakant Krishnaji Deshpande, director, Asian Institute of Oncology said, "Konkani community has strived hard and reached greater heights in various fields. Even though our community very small, we have made name for ourselves as we believed in ourselves. We should have faith and work hard and then we will definitely find way to success. Never miss link of your roots.”
Dr Austin D Souza Prabhu, editor and publisher of Veez Konkani weekly said, "It is always nice to encourage eminent achievers in various fields. From the last 10 years, the award has been conferred on the deserving ones.”
Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Sahitya Puraskar was awarded to Devidas Kadam for his Janavai (Konkani Novel). Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani poetry award was conferred on Shakuntala R Kini for her Thode Yekantha (Anthology of Konkani poems).
Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani life time achievement award was conferred on Rocky V Miranda for his contribution to Konkani language and research.
Basti Vaman Shenoy Vishwa Konkani Seva Puraskar was awarded to K Raghavendra Pai and Meera S Shanbhag for their exemplary service in the field of Yoga and elderly care respectively.
Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani special award was conferred to Suhas Yashwanth Dalal and Vasnathi R Nayak for their exemplary service to the Konkani movement and music respectively.
President of Vishwa Konkani Kendra Basti Vaman Shenoy welcomed the gathering. Smitha Shenoy compered the programme.
Chairman of Manipal global education, Bengaluru, T V Mohan Das, P Sabitha Sathish Pai and others were present.