Mangaluru: All India Konkani Writers’ Organisation (AIKWO) held the 2nd Karnataka Konkani Literary Conference, which was attended by writers from Karnataka, Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra, at Kalaangann here on Sunday, August 9.
The inaugural was presided over by AIKWO President Vincy Quadros. Dr Edward Nazareth, General Secretary of AIKWO, welcomed the gathering. Roy Castelino, President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, inaugurated the Conference by symbolically hoisting the Konkani flag attached to a huge pen.
In his inaugural address, Roy Castelino gave a call to AIKWO to work for unity among writers, attract youth towards Konkani and enrich Konkani literature.
Eric Ozario, General Secretary of JKS, spoke on ‘Konkani’s Future and Litterateurs’. He said that Konkani writers should work to strengthen Konkani, carrying a pen in one hand and the Konkani flag in another.
Fr Valerian Fernandes, Editor of Raknno, conducted a session on ‘Konkani Orthography in the Kannada Script’. He explained the authentic way of writing Konkani in the script and also clarified doubts of the writers.
Jose Salvador Fernandes from Goa, presented a paper on ‘Roman Script – The Script of the Future’. He gave a picture of the literature in the Roman script in Goa and issues concerning it.
Irine Rebello, Executive Committee Member of AIKWO, conducted the proceedings and delivered the vote of thanks.
The 2nd General Body of AIKWO met in the afternoon. Dr Edward Nazareth presented and read out the Annual Report. Richard Moras, the Treasurer, presented the Audited Statement of Accounts which were approved. Discussions followed. It was resolved tthat literary conferences, workshops and seminars are to be held in various parts of Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala later this year. The General Body was presided over by the President of AIKWO, Vincy Quadros from Goa.