Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 28: “The contribution of the Catholic Church in the development of Konkani language in this region is commendable,” opined Dr Edward Nazareth, renowned Konkani literate and Professor of Orthopaedics at Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences, while felicitating Fr Dr Ronald Serrao, Rector of St Joseph Seminary who was bestowed upon Victor Rodrigues Konkani literary award 2021. The award ceremony was organized at ‘Matha-Kripa’ hall of Samanvaya at Grurpur-Kaikmaba on Sunday February 27. Fr Antony Lobo, parish priest of Gurpur-Kaikamba parish was the chief guest.

“By adopting Konkani as the language of prayers and liturgy, several books are being published in Konkani. There are two translations of entire bible in the Mangalurean Konkani dialect. There are several hymns, prayers in Konkani published in the form of books. This has helped Konkani to flourish in our families. Poets and writers like Fr Dr Ronald Serrao have contributed immensely to the Konkani religious literature, which has helped Konkani to grow. Raknno which was started by the diocese of Mangalore in 1938 has contributed so much to the Konkani literature by nurturing the writers like me. The literature published by Raknno both in the periodicals and in the form of books is rich. Even today, Konkani literature is thriving because of periodicals published by the religious organization, both diocesan and religious. We have to be always grateful to our religious heads like late Bishop Basil D’Souza and many priests like late Msgr Sylvester Menezes, late Msgr Alexander F D’Souza and stalwarts like Fr Mark Walder who helped the Konkani language to grow. By honouring Fr Dr Ronald Serrao, we are honouring the entire community of religious people who are contributing towards the growth of Konkani language.”

Fr Antony Lobo felicitated Fr Dr Ronald Serrao and recalled his contribution as a writer of thousands of articles on religious matters and liturgy; a writer of several religious plays both on the stage and now in the television shows, poet and musician of religious hymns in Konkani. He hoped other religious writers also would be recognized in future.

In his reply to the felicitation, Fr Dr Ronald Serrao thanked Samanvaya and the family of the late Victor Rodrigues for choosing him for the award. He expressed his displeasure on the invasion of English in day today conversations and called upon the people to support Konkani by speaking in Konkani at home and with other Konkani people.

Celine Rodrigues and the other family members of late Victor Rodrigues felicitated Fr Dr Ronald Cutinho and Fr Dr Pius Fidelis Pinto for helping them to organize the award ceremonies over the years.

Fr Dr Ronald Cutinho, director of Samanvaya and parish priest of Bajpe parish welcomed the gathering. Fr Dr Pius Fidelis Pinto, managing trustee of Samanvaya introduced Fr Dr Ronald Serrao. Dolphy Lobo, senior Konkani writer conducted the programme.