PANAJI
Four personalities were bestowed with the Gulab Awards at ‘Konkani Potrkarita Dis’ function held at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Monday.
The Felicio Cardoso Gulab Pursakar for the Journalist of the Year was awarded to Marcos Gonsalves while the Gulab Personality of the Year award was given to Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco. Gulab Tiatrist of the Year Puraskar was given to John Claro Fernandes and Gulab Konkani Writer of the Year Puraskar was awarded to Enclidas De Elly.
In a brief virtual presentation, all awardees expressed their gratitude for being chosen for the prestigious Gulab Puraskars.
Pramod Acharya, Editor Prudent Media in his keynote address spoke on the recent trends in journalism. “With social media taking the front, journalism, today, is at the crossroads. It’s scary to see that the norms of ethical journalism are slowly fading away into oblivion. But as a true journalist, one has to stick to the facts, and not venture into the area of truth, because truths may differ, but facts remain the same for all. As journalists we have to present the facts and let the readers decide and determine theirown individual truths, derived from the facts that are put before them,” he said.
Stressing upon the need to make Goa’s identity (Asmitai) as the identity of the nation and both should be upheld with pride, Acharya deliberated that though social media has connected people from all corners of the country and the globe, sometimes its detrimental effects prove harmful.
“Though initially, all took social media as liberating, but eventually, we all saw how extreme it could be at times. When everything comes on social media platforms, one gets confused about how good or bad it is. It’s on the editors to choose good over bad, and put it on the platter,” Acharya stated.
The event was organized jointly by Fr Freddy J Da Costa Memorial Trust, Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Felicio Cardoso-che Pattlavdar and Ravindra Bhavan wherein ‘Fr Freddy J Da Costa Ugddas Dis Gulab Puraskar’ and ‘Felicio Cardoso Ugddas Dis Potrkarita Puraskar’ were presented at the hands of Pramod Acharya and editor of Herald daily, Alexandre Moniz Barbosa, who was present as the chief guest of the ceremony.
Fausto V da Costa welcomed all. Anwesha Singbal, president, Konkani Bhasha Mandal introduced the guests and lastly, gave away mementoes to Alexandre Moniz Barbosa, Pramod Acharya and Palash Agni. A Journalist’s folder was released on the occasion. Anant Agni compared the programme and Anthony Menezes gave a vote of thanks.
