Dharwad: Minister Umashree confers Konkani Sahitya Academy Awards to 9 Distinguished Individuals

By Fr. Steve Pereira OCD
Bellevision Media Network

Dharwad, 24 Jun 2014: The state Kannada and culture minister Umashree conferred Konkani Sahitya Academy Annual Awards 8 distinguished individuals during a function held at Dr Patil Puttappa Hall of Vidyavardhaka Sangh here on Sunday June 22 at 4.00pm.

 

Babu Gowda Mainderi of Moodbidri and John M Permannur of Mangalore received honorary awards, while Ankola-based writer N Balkrishna Kamat was not present to receive the award. Edwin D’Souza, Andrew D’Cunha and Fr Francis Rodrigues of Mangalore received awards under the book category. Br Joseph D’Souza, Carmelite (Mangalore), Shantha Kolle (Honnavar) and Nivedita Sawanth (Karwar) were conferred youth awards.

 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Umashree asked the Academy president to send a proposal to the government about increasing the cash component of the awards and other demands of the Academy.

 

Academy president Roy Castelino urged the minister to raise the cash award given with these awards to support writers.

 

Earlier, a programme consisting of traditional songs and folk dances of Konkani forefathers, Konkani Yakshagana, Janapada dance and magic show was held.