Mangalore, 27 Jul 2014: Konkani Kutam, Bahrain organized the conferring of thirteen Konkani Kutam Award function at St Sebastian platinum jubilee auditorium, Bendore, here on Saturday July 26.
Goa Konknni Academy president Pundalika Narayan Nayak presided the programme here on Saturday evening.
Kannada columnist, litterateur Professor Narendra Rai Derla was the chief guest of the occasion. Konkani veteran writer and critic, retired IAF personnel Eddy Netto was the guest of honor.
Pundalika N Nayak, Professor Narendra and Eddy Netto conferred thirteenth Konkani Kutam Award – 2014 to Konkani veteran humorist Cyril Gregory Sequeira (CGS) Taccode amidst the applauses of large number of gathering. The Award comprised a cheque for the sum of Rs 50,000, citation letter, memento and public honor.
Daijiworld TV anchor Leslie Rego read the citation letter.
Speaking on the occasion, Eddy Netto congratulated the award recipient CGS Taccode and also lauded Konkani Kutam, Bahrain for recognizing the contributions of Konkani litterateurs by conferring the award since 2002. He also advised the budding Konkani writers, to read aplenty, get insight into different aspects in order to pen intelligent articles. He also urged the Konkani publications to give slot for articles despite the constraint of offsetting advertisement income. He expressed his deep concern over Konkani speaking communities for not reading Konkani books, weeklies etc, citing lack of time. One should buy Konkani Weeklies, books etc to promote Konkani and read them at home, said Netto.
Professor Narendra Rai expressed his happiness over this unique conferring of Award ceremony by Konkani Kutam, Bahrain. He also congratulated the Award recipient CGS Taccode. He further said that most of the distinguished litterateurs, writers, humorists and poets were inspired by nature where they lived in harmony. The literature and poetry comes out from inner-most emotions, said Professor Narendra.
Professor Narendra emphasized on the need to transform the society by means of literature that has been effective in confronting ruthless dictators in European history. The literature can transform the communalistic society especially the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, the so called intellectuals abode in India. He also said that sometimes silence works wonders in a given situation because extreme chattering that is going on in the nation, really distorts clear thinking leads to chaotic situation, added Professor Narendra.
Pundalik Nayk in his presidential address said that Konkani speaking communities among Christians, Hindus and Muslims are living mainly in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa, who use both Kannada and Devanagari scripts. Meanwhile, Goa Konknni Academy has been in the process of forging a bridge with Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy in promoting Konkani. It has been in close contact with Kerala and Maharashtra, to bolster the challenges of Konkani, said Pundalik.
Pundalik congratulated the Award recipient CGS Taccode for his half a century of contributions to Konkani. He also lauded Konkani Kutam, Bahrain for their concern over sustenance of mother tongue Konkani and supporting litterateurs in the endeavors.
Konkani Kutam, Bahrain convener Richard Moras welcomed the gathering. Committee member Titus Noronha delivered the introductory address. Vitori Karkal compered the programme. Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues proposed vote of thanks.
The programme was concluded with sumptuous food on the occasion.