The 90th anniversary celebration of Vauradeancho Ixtt (Worker’s Friend), the oldest and largest circulating Roman Konkani weekly, was held on December 20 at the Seminary Annex hall, Pilar.
Adv Carlos Alvares Fereira, MLA of Aldona Constituency, was the Chief guest, while Damodar Mauzo, noted Konkani literary figure and Menino de Bandar, the president of Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) were the guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Damodar Mauzo praised Vauradeancho Ixtt for the tremendous contribution towards the growth of the Konkani language especially during the Portuguese rule.
“This Weekly has maturity and experience. It has to prepare itself for the upcoming challenges as it marches towards a century,” said the 57th Jnanpith Awardee.
He further said that the protagonists of the Konkani language should work unitedly and avoid division on the basis of script.
Adv Fereira in his speech lauded the work of the members of the Society of Pilar towards the promotion and preservation of the Konkani language through this
weekly.
Menino de Bandar in his speech promised the patronage of TAG through advertisement to defray the expenses of the publication. Guest speaker, Rev. Fr. Jose Silveira, a member of the Society of Jesus and director of Thomas Stephen Konkani Kendra presented a paper on the history of Konkani literature and the contribution of famous writers towards Konkani literature.
Speaking on the occasion, Rev Fr Nazareth Fernandes, the Superior General of the Society of Pilar fondly remembered the founders of this weekly and gratefully acknowledged their decision to hand over the weekly to the Society of Pilar to carry forward the apostolate of the print media.
An important part of this evening was the presentation of the Vauradeancho Ixtt Awards. Gaudalupe Dias from Majorda, a prolific writer and author of several books, was awarded the ‘Shennoi Goembab Award’ for her contribution to the Konkani Language.
Fr Jose Dias, a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of Goa, was awarded the ‘Fr. Lactantio Almeida Award’ for regularly writing on Vauradeancho Ixtt on important social issues. ‘Fr Nicolau Pereira Award’ for scoring highest marks in MA Konkani literature for the academic year 2021-22, was awarded to Mansi Dauskar from Mapusa.
