The 2022 Gulab Award winners with guests at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Thursday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Asserting the future of Konkani language lies with the people of Goa, Jnanpith award winner, Damodar Mauzo on Thursday said attempts are being made to divide the Goan society and called for efforts to unitedly work together for the future of Konkani and culture.
He was addressing a programme organised by Fr Freddy J Da Costa Memorial Trust, Felicio Cardozo–che Pattlavdar at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Thursday after being conferred the annual award as the Gulab Personality of the Year 2022.
Speaking further, Mauzo said he believes there should not be any differences between the people on the lines of script. “I love Konkani in order to protect the language, culture and the heritage of Goa. We have seen bad days in the past. The future of Konkani lies in our hands. We have to be cautious since attempts are being made to divide the people of Goa. We are all working for Konkani, irrespective of whether we use Romi or Devnagari scripts,” he said.
He added: “As long as we work unitedly there is no threat to Konkani. But, Konkani will face a threat when we work in different directions. If we want to protect our language and culture, we have to move forward together."
Editor of O Herald O Alister Miranda, who was the chief guest, paid rich tributes to Fr Freddy Da Costa for his contribution to Journalism, Konkani language and culture.
The 2022 Gulab Awards were presented to a host of personalities on the occasion. Jnanpith award winner Damodar Mauzo has bagged the Gulab Personality of the Year, Anthony Menezes as Gulab Writer of the Year, Agnelo de Borim as Gulab Tiatrist of the Year. Fr Jose Dias has bagged the Felicio Cardozo Journalist of the Year, While the Gulab Goan Culture and Heritage award was bagged by Minguel Fernandes, while Joe V Braganza has bagged the Gulab Award for promoting Konkani and culture in London, UK.
