Dnyanapeeth Awardee Damodar Mauzo addressing the gathering. Also seen at Dr Bhushan Bhave, J B Bardeskar, Bishop Allwyn Baretto and Melvyn Rodrigues.
BELAGAVI
Noted litterateur and Dnyanapeeth Awardee Damodar Mauzo on Saturday highlighted the need to identify Konkani linguists of Goan origin scattered outside Goa and Karnataka.
He was the chief guest at the 84th Foundation Day of the All India Konkani Parishad (ABKP) at the St Anthony Church hall in Gadhinglaj town of Western Kolhapur district.
History was made as it was for the first ever time that such an event was held in a small town which has a sizeable presence of Konkani speaking people of Goan origin.
Bishop of Sindhudurg Allwyn Baretto and noted litterateur Dr Bhushan Bhave were guests of honour. Noted writer and Konkani activist Uday Bhembre was awarded with the first Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag Life Time Achievement Award.
Mauzo said there was a need to identifying Konkani speaking people scattered in remote areas like Gadhinglaj and to strengthen the ties of Parishad.
“I am impressed to see such a strong presence of our Konkani brethren settled in the remote areas of the Upper Ghats region. Despite away from Goa, they have painstakingly preserved the language and culture,” Mauzo said.
In his keynote address, Dr Bhushan Bhave emphasised importance of creating a 'cultural state' of all Konkani speakers scattered in four states, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala.
He also highlighted need to establish the Maharashtra State Konkani Akademi by the Maharashtra government along the lines of the Kerala Konkani Akademi and Karnataka Konkani Akademi, by recognising Konkani as minority language in Kerala and Karnataka respectively.
Dr Bhave appreciated the contribution of people of Goan origin in Maharashtra in general, and Gadhinglaj in particular.
Bishop Baretto emphasised the need to conserve the identity of Konkani language and lauded the initiatives of Parishad and Uzwaad Pariwaar in organising an important program in Gadhinglaj.
In his welcome address, Parishad Vice President Melvyn Rodrigues briefed about the history of Parishad. A symposium on Konkani culture in the Upper Ghats region was also held. Founder of Sadhana group of institutions J B Bardeskar, noted writer Alphie Monteiro, activist Rojalina Bardeskar-Godad presented their papers. Sr journalist and Konkani activist Louis Rodrigues presided over the symposium.
A cultural programme by a Goan troupe comprising students of Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s Ravindra Kelekar Dnyanamandir, Margao, enthralled the Konkani lovers. A special issue of Uzwaad Magazine was also published on the occasion.
Working president of Parishad Chetan Acharya, General Secretary Goursh Vernekar, Jt Secretary Maya Kharangate were also present at the event.
