Three Senior Eminent Konkani Writers/litterateurs Dr Edward Nazareth, JF D’souza & Eddie Netto Honoured by members of Genesis Prakashan, Mangaluru and Senior Konkani Sahitya Friends, Mangaluru on Saturday, 2 March at Bodhi Tree Angad, Jeppu, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: It was befitting honour rendered to the Three eminent writers and Litterateurs who have done immense contribution to Konkani by promoting its tradition, culture and diversity through their articles, stories and other periodicals. And to recognize their efforts and service contributed to the Konkani community, the members of Genesis Prakashan, Mangaluru and Senior Konkani Sahitya Friends, Mangaluru organized a programme to felicitate these three stalwarts on Saturday, 2 March 2019 at Bodhi Tree Angad, Jeppu, Mangaluru.
Renowned writer Marcel “Machaa Milar” of Genesis Prakashan welcomed the gathering and briefed about the felicitation programme. Prior to felicitating the three eminent writers and litterateurs namely Dr Edward Nazareth (60), J F D’Souza (75) and Eddie Netto ( 80), a cake was cut to celebrate their birthdays, where everyone joined in singing the Happy Birthday song. The three writers/litterateurs were later felicitated with a shawl, flowers and a memento. Accepting the honors, all three spoke and expressed their gratitude for recognizing their efforts and honoring them with love.
A literary interaction was held on the occasion, where members from the audience had the privilege to pose queries to these three writers and get back the appropriate answers. The moderator for the interaction session was the popular Konkani littérateur of humour, CGS, Thakode, who through his witty conversation took the audience into a world of laughter. So also were the three writers who interacted with the audience with their humorous answers, which resulted in bringing more laughter and fun during this pleasant outdoor programme.
Eddy Netto, who completed eighty years of his life recently, shared his experiences as an author which spanned half a century from his first article, letters to the editor, rapport with editor and writers, family life and service in the Indian air force. Being in service with IAF, when a question was posed at Eddie Netto by a lady member as to what he would say about the recent situation between India and Pakistan- in reply Netto said that war is not a solution to end this issue-in war people die from both sides, and in the end the results will be zero-instead proper negotiations between the leaders of this two nations will only solve the issue.
Few questions on health were put forth to Fr Edward Nazareth, which he clarified most of the doubts on health-related problems. In a jovial interception, Eddie Netto said “Instead of Apple a day, which they say keeps the doctor away, but according to me and my life experience, try to have a peg of 90 ml straight or with water only (no soda) daily, which will surely keep the doctor away?”. Ha..ha..
On the occasion, four persons who have been selected to receive The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy 2018 awards were also felicitated with a flower and memento- they were J F D’Souza (Literature), Roshan “Roshu” Bajpe (Poem), Jyothi Lorraine “Jeyal Manjarapalke” D’Souza (Short stories) and Tara Laveena “Lavi Ganjimutta” Fernandes (Novel). In a contest arranged by the organizers in selecting the Best Church Bulletin, the First place was bagged by Gurpur Church; IInd by Bejai Church and IIIrd shared by two- Milagres Church and Kasaragod church.
Prolific writer Edwin J F D’souza, Writer Dolphy Cascia and writer/compere Titus Noronha who were present on the dais also spoke on the occasion and shared their experiences as writers. The vote of thanks was proposed by Marcel “Machaa Milar”, and the programme was compered by Roshan Crasta.