Mangalore, June 30: There are lots of things to be done  for the development of Konkani language and culture.  All Konkani associations should work towards this hand in hand in all spheres said Fr. Mark Valdar, veteran Konkani writer and ex-editor of Raknno, Diocesanal Konkani Weekly Newsmagazine.  He expressed his sadness and said that Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka (R) is at the edge of total collapse.  He was inaugurating "Konkani Challvoll", a Konkani book written by Mr. Paul Moras at St. Aloysius College Konkani Association's programme. 

All Konkani associations should work under one umbrella with unity to continue Konkani struggle said Fr. Valdar.  In 1974 Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka (R) was established with similar thoughts in mind.  Today this mandal is at the edge of  collapse,  we should bring it back from intensive care and give real life he appealed.  He explained how in 18th century opposition to Konkani was stopped with  Konkani Struggle and revived with new life in Goa. 

Mangalore Mahanagarapalike mayor Mr. M. Shashidhara Hegde, Padua Pre-University principal Fr. Lawrence D'Souza were the chief guests.  For the future Konkans books like Konkani Challvoll will help said the mayor and he felicitated writer and past president of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka (R), Mr. Paul Moras.
Those who helped for Konkani Struggle in Mangalore, such as ex-MLA Mrs. Octavia Albuquerque, ex-minister Mr. Blasius M. D'Souza, Fr. Mark Valdar, Raknno Editor (current) Fr. Eric Crasta and Fr. Godfrey Saldanha, parish priest of Derebail church were honoured.

St. Aloysius College principal Fr. Prashanth Madtha welcomed the gathering.  Konkani Samsthe director Prof. Bennett Pinto was on the dais.  Mr. Aloysius D'Souza compered the programme and Mr. Paul Moras explained how he wrote this book 'Konkani Challvoll' in his artistic words.

-Nithyanand News
 

Mangalore, June 30: Fourth North America Konkani Sammelan will be held at Houston, Texas from July 4 to 6.  Mr. Basti Vaman Shenoy, past president of Konkani Sahithya Academy, Karnataka (R), Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnataka (R) will be honoured during this sammelan according to press release by the organisers.  For the development of Konkani language, literature, janapad and culture to unite all Konkani from the world under the leadership of Mr. Basti Vaman Shenoy, first Vishwa Konkani Sammelan was held in 1995.  For this venture, Mr. Shenoy will be recognised.

After this Vishwa Konkani Sammellan, some Gowd Saraswath Konakans from North America, inspired and started first sammellan in 1996 at New Jersey under the leadership of Mr. Vasanth Bhat and his friends.  Mr. Basti Vaman Shenoy had inaugurated this first sammellan.  Since then every other year this group is holding sammellans.  From USA and Canada about 2,000 representatives will attend this programme said the organisers.  Two years ago sammellan was held at Elgin, a suburb of Chicagoland.  There will be several Konkani cultural programmes to promote Konkani language and culture.  Only sad thing is, this group is not made any attempt to involve Christian Konkani speaking people in North America said one veteran Konkani activist when we contacted him to report this news item.

-Nithyanand News