Keni left his signature, impressions on Goa’s literary map forever: Bhembre

PANAJI

The first Chandrakant Keni Memorial Journalist Award was conferred to veteran journalist Suresh Walve on the occasion of the 87th birth anniversary of the late writer Chandrakant Keni, editor of two dailies, Rashtramat and Sunaparant. The award was presented to Walve in Margao at the hands of noted industrialist Srinivas Dempo, chairman of Dempo Group, and was sponsored by Swargiya Chandrakant Keni Mitra Mandali v Shishya Parivar and Keni family.

The programme was attended by people from all walks of life including those who worked closely with Keni, his contemporary friends, and youth who learnt journalism under his able tutelage. The late journalist was remembered for his contribution to literature, both Marathi and Konkani, and to journalism, through his editorials in the Marathi daily Rashtramat during the Opinion Poll times, in 1963-64.

Adv Uday Bhembre while delivering the keynote address on the occasion recalled many incidents in the life of late Chandrakant Keni, a multifaceted personality, who was active in Goa’s vibrant socio-cultural arena. “Late Keni’s contribution to three fields is major,” stated Bhembre, adding, “Literature, journalism and organisation. Keni handled eight types of literary works – kathika (very short stories), short stories, novels, essays, children’s literature, educational literature, dictionary, compilation and editing, as well as translation.”

Bhembre further stated that initially situations moulded Keni but later Keni moulded the situations and paved his own path, and ultimately left his signature and impressions on Goa’s literary map forever. “Goa has offered many great artists, writers, singers, doctors, entrepreneurs to the world. One of these is Chandrakant Keni, a gifted person with multiple skills. His journey from Mumbai, Delhi and back to Goa at a very young age is astonishing. He preferred to return to his land and contribute in his own way, in crucial times,” said Adv Bhembre.

“A gifted writer, his writing skills were equally good, as his organisational skills were. He was a very intelligent person, who had contacts with major mining families and Swamis, as well, but he was selfless and never used these contacts for his own petty gains. He was active in organisations like Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Institute Menezes Braganza, Akhil Bharatiya Sahitya Samitee, Sahitya Akademi (New Delhi) etc,” said Adv Bhembre.

Writer and industrialist Datta Damodar Nayak, in his speech, recalled various incidents with the late Keni, and lauded his contribution to social, cultural and literary fields.

Industrialist Srinivas Dempo, in his speech, also recalled multiple incidents and appealed that if we wish to know what Goa is, we must read Keni’s literature.

Suresh Walve, in replying to his felicitation, announced that this award was the climax in the list of his awards, and henceforth he would not accept any award in journalism, except for the lifetime achievement award given by the Goa government. “It’s an honour to receive an award in the name of my Guru in journalism, in Margao,” said Walve, adding, “I received my first award in journalism (Anna Phanse Puraskar) at the hands of Chandrakant Keni at this very same venue, Margao Municipal hall 25 years ago in 1996. Thereafter I received innumerable awards, but this award means a lot to me.”

Prudent Media editor, Pramod Acharya while giving vote of thanks, mentioned that he was the last person to take dictation from late Keni. “In the midst of chaos, Keni used to dictate non-stop, without fumbling for facts or figures, which were at the tip of his tongue,” recalled Acharya.