M’lore: Raknno Weekly on the threshold of Platinum Jubilee

Media Release

Mangalore, 19 Dec 2012: ‘Raknno’ the Konkanni  Weekly managed by the Diocese of Mangalore founded in the year 1938 with the motto ‘SOTH ULOY, DHORM CHOLOY’ (Speak the Truth, Lead the Religion) is stepping into 75th year of its publication on Saturday 22nd of December 2012 at 10.15 am at Bishop’s House Hall, Kodialbail.

 

 

‘Raknno’ though being a Konkanni Weekly by nature has strived to keep its readers abreast with    the times. The last three decades have been especially significant for Raknno, by publishing a variety of articles, news-features, news-analysis and media criticism, it has gained the loyalty of the people.  Raknno has stolen the show by its sensible and wide coverage on agricultural, scientific, medical, legal, economical, political, religious, cultural, educational, social and career guidance issues. Constant innovation and creativity have been Raknno’s forte. Humour, satire, serialized novels, feature articles with field work, short stories and special pages for children, youth and women have been promoting literature and the habit of reading.

 

As a publishing house, Raknno has been publishing both fiction and non - fiction books (titles).  Having 110 titles and one CD to its credit till date, it has published the largest number of Konkanni books in Kannada script. ‘Kanun Darshan’ (Legal Presentation) a book on legal awareness by Mr Shirthady William Pinto published by Raknno in June 2006 has seen a record sale with 6 editions and ‘Randhpah Kudanth’ (In the Kitchen) a book on recipe has seen 3 editions.

 

Started by founder editor Msgr Sylvester Menezes in 1938, this Weekly has grown to become the mouth piece of the Konkanni people representing their thoughts, feelings, hopes and aspirations. Today, it is the largest circulated Konkanni Weekly throughout India, Gulf and European Countries. Raknno has broken all barriers of caste, creed and community by its approach through modern responsible journalism. Raknno today enjoys three distinct dimensions, that of an Institution, a News Paper and a Publication. Raknno became the first institution to systematically take up the challenge of training young budding writers. It annually helps postgraduate students of journalism through scholarships. It helps socio-religious and literary causes. Since long it has organized number of literary programmes in association with Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.

 

‘Kajulo’ published by Raknno is the only Konkanni Magazine meant exclusively  for the children.  It was established in 1998 as memorial of 60 years of growth of Raknno. It presents light but informative and entertaining reading as per the taste of the children in the form of stories, fun pages, cartoon stories, quizzes, competitions, etc.

 

Raknno Platinum Jubilee Committee under the convenorship of senior writer Cyril G. Sequeira and editorship of Fr Francis Rodrigues has planned few jubilee programmes during the jubilee year. On 2012 December 22 Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza the Bishop of Mangalore will preside over the inaugural programme and launch the jubilee year.  Mr Kasargod Chinna, the President of Karnataka Konkanni Sahitya Akademi will be the chief guest of the programme. A seminar would follow on the theme ‘Contribution of Raknno to Religion, Society and Literature’. Dr Edward L. Nazareth, senior writer and orthopaedician; Mr Hemacharya, Editor-in-Chief of Daijiworld Weekly and Mr Edwin J. F. D’Souza, senior writer and Executive Director of St Aloysius College Konkanni Institute will present papers on the subject.  Former Editor of Raknno Fr Mark Walder will moderate the seminar.

 

 

During the year there will be programmes in different places to train the writers, Konkanni entertainment programmes in various places, special literary competitions through Raknno including a competition of writing novels in Konkanni, exhibition of books and magazines, publication of books etc. Raknno will institute a special jubilee memorial award which would be given annually to a senior konkani writer. The jubilee year will be concluded in December 2013 with a grand finale.

 

We cordially invite the media friends to the inauguration of the Raknno Platinum Jubilee Year and request you to announce and to cover the inaugural event after through your esteemed media. We thank you for all your support during the past years.  The invitation attached.

 

Fr Francis Rodrigues                                                       Cyril G. Sequeira
    Editor, Raknno                                       Convener, Platinum Jubilee Committee