Mangaluru: The Karnataka Konkani Basha Mandal in association with the Vishwa Konkani Kendra, the Konkani Sahitya Academy and the Kannada and Cultural department jointly organized the International Women’s Day at Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya stage, Shaktinagar here on March 8.
The programme began with an invocation. President of the Karnataka Konkani Basha Mandal Geetha Kini welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by the President of Womens’ Association Bengaluru, Mohini D Pai by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Mohini said, “Nowadays, we do not find joint families. To provide good education to their children and to lead a happy life, both the husband and wife work. When both the parents work, they do not get much time to spend with their children, which sometimes leads the children to choose the wrong path.”
She further said that parents always want to see their children happy. “They give them pocket money without a second thought which some children misuse. While giving money, parents should also advise their children.” On the safety of women in the present society, Mohini said, “Everyday, we read news on the atrocities on women; many women are being harassed in the society. In this world, a mother will never think bad about her children. She will always think of giving a better future to her children.” While concluding, she said that all women should be safe in the society. “All women should join hands to fight against atrocities on women.”
President of Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino said that sometimes a father may not think much about his children, but the mother will never fail in her duty towards her children. “She will always be thinking about the success of her children. The mother is the inspiration to every child.”
Roy further said that in the recent past, women have been harassed and the atrocities on women have also increased. “We need to condemn this and work for the safety of women. Women are taking care of the house and the children. Women are equal to men and should get equal rights in the society.”
Stressing on the need of retaining the mother tongue Konkani, Roy said that for every child, house is the first school and mother is the first teacher. “Mother should speak her mother tongue with her children. If the mother will not speak it, the child will not be able to understand Konkani. Due to globalization, we have given up on our mother tongue and depend more on English. Yes, English is a universal language and we need to learn English, but it is also necessary to learn our mother tongue while we learn the universal language.”