PANAJI
Loyola High School Margao celebrated the 102nd birth anniversary of Konkani writer late Fr Antonio Luis Pereira SJ on August 25. The programme was conducted in the school hall. Shraddha Lotlikar welcomed the gathering. Roque D’Costa and group sang the hymn “Sant Inas, Amcho Askari”. The dignitaries lit the traditional lamp and offered floral tributes to late Fr Antonio Pereira. The Chairman of Loyola High School, Fr William Rodrigues, SJ honoured the chief guest with a shawl and a potted plant. Chief Guest Fausto da Costa in his address highlighted that inspite of technical and financial hardships, writers like Fr Pereira surged ahead and published noteworthy works. He lamented that the Sahitya Akademi award still eluded Fr Pereira. The winners of the Konkani Poetry Recitation Competition received certificates and prizes. The following students were declared as winners: Aryann Furtado (1st), David Lobo (2nd), Marc Menezes (3rd) and Nihal Marathe (3rd). A short quiz on the literary works of Fr Pereira was conducted for the audience by Elliton Fernandes. The winners received the book, “Konkani Oparinchem Bhanddar” as prizes The winners of the quiz were Mark Menezes, Ravi Menezes, Belinda Jacques, Janice da Silva and Roque D’Costa. The winners of the quiz received prizes at the hands of the Chairman of the School Fr William Rodrigues.Fr Jimmy Mendes handed over a gift to the Chief Guest on behalf of the School. A wallpaper depicting the works of Fr Pereira was inaugurated by the chief guest. The Konkani teachers of Loyola High School (Aided & Unaided ) and Loyola High School teamed up to organise this programme.
