Mangaluru: We are going to be the past while you will be the future, said Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy President Roy Castelino addressing the students who had gathered to participate in a Quiz competition.
He was speaking after inaugurating the quiz competition on Konkani, organised for students by the Konkani Basha Mandal in association with Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Lions Club International and Vishwa Konkani Kendra as part of the ‘Konkani Manyata Divas’ celebration at Lions Seva Mandir, Mallikatte here, on August 22.
Addressing the students, Roy said that we should be proud of our mother tongue. “Konkani Manyata Divas is celebrated to remind us of its inclusion in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution. There are 22 languages in the country that have equal status and Konkani is one of them. India is a country with diversity and Konkani being the mother tongue of people of three major religions and 41 different communities is a representation of the Indian diversity,” he said.
President of World Konkani Centre, Basti Vaman Shenoy presided over the function. Owner of SL Shet Jewellers and Diamond House, M Prashanth Shet said that Konkani is a “vibrant” language and congratulated everyone. President of Lions Club International Mangaluru, Aravind Shenoy also spoke on the occasion.
Later, the quiz competition for school children commenced. Basha Mandal Secretary, Ratnakar Kudva compered the programme. President of Konkani Manyata Divas celebration committee Geeta Kini welcomed the gathering. Secretary Meenakshi Pai delivered the vote of thanks.