BELAGAVI
Touted as the jaggery and pulses capital of Kolhapur district, Gadhinglaj will be abuzz with Goan litterateurs and Goan-origin Konkani linguists, as the All India Konkani Parishad will celebrate its 84th Foundation Day on Saturday.The event is being organised in association with Uzwaad Pariwaar, which is celebrating the Silver Jubilee Year of the foundation of the Uzwaad Konkani magazine. Over 300 Konkani-speaking people from the region are expected to take part in the day-long programme.
Dnyanapeeth awardee Damodar Mauzo, Bishop Allwyn Baretto, Dr Bhushan Bhave along with other noted Konkani litterateurs will take part in the celebrations at the St Anthony’s Church Hall here.
Scores of Goans who are also Gauncars of various communidades in Goa will be in attendance at the day-long function. Noted Konkani litterateur Adv Uday Bhembre would be conferred with the first-ever Life Time Achievement Award constituted by the Parishad from this year.
Three other persons, Jacky Fernandes of Jackris Group, Margao, noted medical practitioners Dr Ashok Fernandes and Sanjay Shanbhag, will also be felicitated with Uzwaad Gourav trophy.
“This is for the first time, the Parishad is holding such a prestigious programme in Western Maharashtra region. The Bardeskar Community that migrated from Goa in 16th and 17th century have carved a niche for itself in the upper ghats region,” Arvind Bardeskar, noted educationist and founder of Sadhana group of education institutions, told The Goan.
Parish Priest and noted Jesuit Fr Augustine Fernandes, who is equally excited about the event, said that along with Gadhinglaj, the parish has 17 villages that come under the parish.
“All of them come from one or the other Communidade in Goa. We are happy and thankful to Parishad team and Uzwaad Pariwaar team that Gadhinglaj has been selected for such an important event,” he said.
Director of Sadhana Group of Institutions Arvind Bardeskar, who is overlooking the arrangements, said the event will give a boost to the efforts of Konkani-speaking people in the Western Kolhapur district region who have painstakingly and affectionately conserved Konkani language and culture.
Atish Menezes, Robert Bardeskar Rodrigues, Dr Benita Dias, Adv Walnes Bardeksar, Minin D’Souza, Gregory Menezes and other committee members are working hard to make this event a success.
Noted litterateur and working president of ABKP Chetan Acharya, Vice President Melvyn Rodrigues, Gen Secretary Gourish Vernekar and others who will be also present are coordinating with the local youngsters.
A cultural programme depicting folklore and culture of Goa will be also presented. Local youth will also be presenting a cultural programme.
