Ray of hope for tiatrists on pension hike

Photo Credits: TAG Awards

MARGAO

Taking up the demand of a hike in tiatrists' pension aired at the felicitation of veteran tiatrists at the Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) awards function held at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Wednesday, Labour and Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado assured the tiatrists of pursuing the demand with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.

Furtado's response came against the backdrop of a veteran tiatr artist - Annie Quadros - airing the demand for a hike in tiatrists' pension from Rs 2,500. She claimed that the Art and Culture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar had assured the tiatrists at a function of the TAG sometime last year that he would grant this demand.

“I will gather information about the demand for a hike in pension and will talk to the Chief Minister and follow it up and do my best and see that the increment is given,” Furtado told the tiatrists in response to the demand.

Meanwhile, Furtado also announced a 'Tiatr Bhavan' on comunidade land admeasuring 10,000 m2 at Navelim, which has been acquired by the government, formalities of which will be completed within 10 to 12 days.

He was addressing a gathering on the occasion of the felicitation of veteran tiatrists with lifetime contribution to Tiatr Awards to mark the birth anniversary of Pai Tiatrist Joao Agostinho Fernandes at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Wednesday, organised by TAG and Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Furtado, who was the chief guest, also expressed the need for youngsters in the field of tiatr to draw example of veteran tiatrists and Pai Tiatrist's work in the field of tiatr.

He also appealed to the tiatrists to take the TAG ahead through a bonding of love and unity, by erasing differences, if any, in the tiatr fraternity.

Earlier, the guest of honour, Ravindra Bhavan Chairman Damu Naik appealed to tiatrists to adopt a scientific method for portrayal of tiatr on tiatr stage. This, Naik said, can be accomplished under the aegis of TAG.

In his welcome address, TAG president Agostinho Temudo, described Goan identity as symbolised by “Xit, Kodi and Tiatr”.

Lifetime Contribution to Tiatr Awards - 2016 were honoured to Annie Quadros, Jose Antonio Agostinho Fernandes (Anthony San), Joao Tertuliano Carvalho (John de Nuvem), Hortencio Saluzinho Vaz e Pereira (Hortencio Pereira), Guilhermina Leitao (Meena Leitao) posthumously.

Grand-daughter of Pai Tiatrist, Sharmila Fernandes also spoke on the occasion.

TAG Vice President William Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks. TAG Member Secretary Jose Alexander Fernandes was also present on the occasion.