Udupi: Dr T M A Pai Foundation’s ‘Distinguished Konkani Person of Year’ Award on Mar 26
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 22: A function is being organized at Hotel Velly View International Manipal auditorium for conferring the ‘Distinguished Konkani Person of the Year’ award instituted by Dr T M A Pai Foundation, a Konkani minority linguistic organization on Saturday March 26 at 5.30 pm.
Dr M V Kamath, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Dr Arvind Kudchadkar, and the late H V Kamath have been chosen for the award. The award comprises cash component of one lac rupees, and a medal.
Dr M V Kamath, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Prof Arvind P Kudchadkar, H V Kamath
Dr M V Kamath: Madhav Vittal Kamath, born in Udupi in 1921, completed his primary education in Udupi and degree education at Mumbai. He was a student of chemistry and physics, and initially started work as a dye chemist. He later took to journalism. He is the only living journalist to have reported the first Indian freedom celebration of 1947. He discharged duties in various important assignments, and had worked as the editor of Illustrated Weekly of India, and Sunday editor of Times of India. He also was the chairman of Prasar Bharati. He is presently functioning as governing council member of Manipal University and Dr T M A Pai Foundation, apart from being the honorary director of Manipal Institute of Communication.
Dr Anil Kakodkar, who joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 1964, became its director in 1996. He later served as the chairman of Atomic Commission of India and secretary in the department of atomic energy. At present, he is the professor of Homi Bhabha Chair at BARC. His achievements in nuclear reactor, peaceful nuclear explosives etc, have been hailed everywhere. He got Padma Shri title in 1998, Padma Bhushan in 1999, and Padma Vibhushan in 2009. He is the recipient of numerous awards, felicitations, and honours.
Prof Arvind P Kudchadkar, honorary professor of Mumbai IIT, had worked as advisor to Reliance Industries, and Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute. He had worked hard for setting up of Deendayal Petroleum University set up by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation in Gandhinagar. He retired as the professor in the department of chemical engineering, Mumbai IIT. Later, he served as the advisor (quality and technical management) to Indian Merchants Chamber. About 50 of his essays were published in international publications, and he has also written a number of books.
In 1983, he won the NRDC honour, K G Naik gold medal in 1994, and award from Marathi Science Council in 1996 for his achievements in the fields of science and technology.
Hattiangady Venktraya Kamath, better known as H V Kamath, joined Syndicate Bank after getting BSc degree. He retired as additional general manager of the bank after 30 years of service. He had close association with Dr T M A Pai, T A Pai, and K K Pai, who functioned as chairmen of Syndicate Bank during different periods. He was an office bearer of Dr T M A Pai Foundation, Konkani Bhashoddhara Trust, Manipal University, KMC, Manipal Institute of Technology, and Basrur Sharada College Trust. Kamath is getting this honour posthumously.
Dr T M A Pai Foundation's `Best Konkani Book Award' will be bestowed on Melvyn Rodrigues during the same occasion. Melvyn Rodrigues has been chosen for this award for his poetry collection `Prikriticho Paas'. The award carries cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation. Appreciation awards will be given to Gerry D'Mello, Canada for his book `Do Re Me Fa' and Ramesh Laad, Goa for his translation work of `Dhruvataare'. This award consists of cash prize of Rs 5,000 each and a citation.