Konkani Basha Mandala hosts ‘Closing Ceremony of 25th Konkani Recognition Day’
Konkani Basha Mandala Celebrates ‘Closing Ceremony of 25th Konkani Recognition Day’ with Variety Entertainment Contest at Don Bosco Hall, Mangaluru on 31 August 2018
Mangaluru: Konkani had been included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and was given recognition on August 20, 1992. Since then, the Konkani Recognition Day is being celebrated, all over India and abroad. The date, August 31, 2018, marked the 25th Closing Anniversary of the occasion and in this regard, a celebration was held at Don Bosco Hall, Mangaluru. Even though 2018 marks the 26th year of this day, but since Konkani Basha Mandala couldn’t organize the 25th Anniversary celebration last year, instead they decided to celebrate the “Closing Ceremony of 25th Recognition Day’ this year.
As part of the celebrations a Inter School and College Variety Entertainment contest was organized, where many participated, and enthralled tghe audience with their mesmerizing performances. Through various performances, it highlighted that is a matter of pride for Mangaluru to see people from 41 various Konkani speaking communities under one roof. We have to preserve Konkani language and pass it on to the future generations. Schools and colleges need to support the students to learn Konkani, the contribution of Konkani’s here is historical. The programme brought awareness among the audience to start speaking more Konkani, their Mother tongue, rather than other languages, including English.
The inaugural ceremony of this Day was held at 11.30 am, with Gilbert D’souza- Vice President, Vishwa Konkani Kendra, and a Entrepreneur; along with guests of honor namely- Paul Moras- a Konkani Vavradi and Promoter of Konkani language; CA Nandagopal Shenoy-MD of Devgiri Tea; Ln KC Prabhu- former Lions Governor, and Konkani Writer; Christopher Misquith- Civil Engineer; Prashanth Shet- Managing Partner, S L Shet Diamond House. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by CA Nandagopal Shenoy, along with other dignitaries on the dais. Board members of Konkani Basha Mandalab namely- Venkatesh N Baliga-President; M R Kamath- Vice Prseident; Rathnakar Kudva- Secretary; Vittaal Kudva- Treasurer; Vasanth Rao and Suresh Shenoy.
In his speech, CA Nandagopal Shenoy said, “Youth should to pass on the Konkani language and tradition to the next generation. People need to rise above the barriers of caste and to learn regional languages to develop brotherhood in the society. Probably Konkani is the only language spoken across three religions and among 41 diverse communities. Konkani culture is so rich that even Portuguese influence couldn’t dislodge its culture ages ago, it holds up the true substance of the language and culture. Less significance is being given to languages compared to core subjects in school curriculum and felt for a need to bring a change in the attitude”.
Also addressing the audience, Paul Moras said, “It is sad to note that Konkani is not been spoken by the present youth. We need to ask the govt to increase of funds and care to Konkani Academy. These days even at catholic wedding reception or roce, it’s all about Bollywood and Western music, but only at the end of the function after having a few pegs Catholics want to dance for Konkani Baila songs. In the case of Tulu speaking community, they not only speak Tulu language locally, but also anywhere in India and abroad, but when it come to Konkani speaking Christians, they never speak Konkani language once they get out of Mangaluru, even though they are fluent in Konkani. This is bad. I am happy that Konkan Bash Mandala is trying its best to promote Konkani to the greater level”
Gilbert D’souza addressing the audience said, ” It is a matter of pride that Konkani is the only language claimed as mother tongue by Hindus, Muslims, Dalits and Christians alike. There are 41 different cultural groups that use Konkani an ancient form of Prakrit and write it in at least 5 scripts. Konkani people can be found in every nation around the globe! Hundreds of languages and dialects are found in India, but only 22 have found a place in the 8th schedule of the constitution to date and Konkani is one of these, giving it a status of an official language of India. Hindi only can not lay claims to be the official language of India, all 22 of the languages in 8th schedule are official languages and all languages in India are its national treasure. The only reason that Konkani has not moved forward enough is that fewer people use it fully. And until recently it was not part of the educational medium, today the situation is better and schools and colleges are coming forward to include it in the curriculum and it finds a place in degree exams too. I urge all Konkani speaking people to “Speak Konkani, Write Konkani and Save Konkani”.
In the Variety Entertainment Contest, the winners were – College Level: I place Milagres College, Mangaluru; IInd Place- St Aloysius College, Mangaluru; and IIIrd Place-Canara First Grade College. In school category: Ist Place- Canara CBSE, Mangaluru; IInd Place-St Aloysius School, Mangaluru; The Best MC in School level went to Mahima Kini from Canara CBSE. The programme was compered by Rathnakar Kudva
