As always, it was a pleasure to be amidst so many Goans who truly love their mother tongue Konkani.
Mr. Pandharinath Lotlikar, Ex-Director of Doordarshan had a simple suggestion to make'
"Konknnichem ruk vhodd zavpak, tacheo khandeo ros-rosit zavpak ani tem ruk foll divpak ami Konknnichi vapudd korpak zai. TSKK-cho Puroskar gevcho Sahitiya Puroskarakin vhodd dista"
[For the Konkani tree to grow big and have turgid, healthy branches and for it to beaer fruit we must use the Konani language. The Award from TSKK seems to be better than that of the Sahitiya Akademi."]
He appreciated the fact that the TSKK has a tradition of inviting a Literateur to felicitate another Literateur [instead of the normal practice of giving this honour to politicians and bureaucrats].
"Ghorchea munxean apli toknai kellea koxi dista".
The appreciation from one's own kind is of greater value to the receiver.
Fr. Almir de Souza spoke of "Kristanvponn ani Kristanv mon" and showed the difference between the two. He said that he wrote with two thoughts uppermost in his mind: 1. the Christian faith specially the words of Jesus Christ, "I have come so that you may have life; life in all its fullness." [John 10:10] and 2. the love of Amchi Bhas, Konkani.
For the rest see the report below.
Mog asundi
Miguel
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: pratap naik
Date: Apr 28, 2009 9:07 PM
Subject: Awards giving function
To: tomazinho@sify.com, michael gracias
walter menezes
THOMAS STEPHENS KONKNNI KENDR
B.B.Borkar Road
Alto Porvorim, Goa- 403 521
Phone (0832) 2415857, 2415864
E-mail:tskk@sancharnet.in
Website:www.tskk.org
April 29, 2009
AWARD CONFIRMING FUNCTION AT TSKK
“TSKK chooses the right people for its awards and TSKK awards are
greater than the Sahitya Akademi awards because they are given to
deserving people and they are given by our own household institution.”
said Mr. Pandharinath Lotlikar, the ex-director of Panaji Doordarshan.
He was speaking as the Chief Guest at Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr’s
(TSKK) awards giving function. He further said “Devanagari and Roman
scripts are twin children of a mother. A real mother cannot kill one
child for the sake of another. A mother loves her both the children.
Let both scripts flourish in Goa in unity. Let the government extend
equal facilities to Roman script which are at present exclusively
available to Nagari script”. He praised TSKK for its service to
Konknni and said that TSKK instead of inviting politicians as Chief
guests has set a good example by inviting only veteran Konknni
stalwarts to felicitate its awardees. The function was held at TSKK
premises at Alto Porvorim, Goa on 28 April at 5.30 pm.
The Chief Guest confirmed the prestigious "Antonio Pereira Konknni
Puroskar" (APKP) of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) on Fr. Almir
de Sousa for his contribution to religious Konknni literature. Fr
Almir has worked with passion and zeal for the last forty years to
implement the Vatican Second Council’s vision to promote local
languages in liturgy and para-liturgical domains. Since Konknni is
the official language of the liturgy in the archdiocese of Goa, Fr.
Almir worked tirelessly to promote Konknni in Goa through his books,
articles and Konknni ministry. He is the nineteenth recipient of APKP.
The award consisted of a shawl, memento and cash Rs. 25,000/-. The
previous recipients of APKP Mr. Tomazinho Cardozo and Mr. Yusuf Sheikh
and over hundred fifty people were present for the function.
Fr. Almir has written and edited 25 Konknni books. Some of the
important books are Utor ani Jivit a Series containing of five books;
Magnneacho Turo 6 booklets, Somiachem Jevonn, Mis and 8 books of
Konknni Catechism.
Fr. Almir held many responsible positions in the Goa Archdiocese. He
has served as the prefect of Saligão Seminary, Pro-Notary in
Archbishop’s House, Secretary of Diocesan Catechetical Centre,
Secretary of Diocesan Liturgical Centre, and Director of Pastoral
Centre. He has served as a Parish Priest at St. Estevão and Verna. At
present he is the Parish priest of Ucassaim in Bardes taluka. He
started the Parish bulletins St. Estevanchi Zap and Vernechi Zap at
St. Estevão and Verna respectively. At Ucassaim he improved the parish
bulletin Zagruti. Fr. Almir still continues to promote Konknni in
liturgical and other religious services in Goa. In his speech Fr.
Almir stressed that all Goans must contribute their mite to uplift
Konknni by speaking, reading and writing. He expressed his desire that
every household should subscribe at least one Konknni periodical and
read it.
At the same function Konknni poet Walter Menezes was given TSKK’s
‘Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar (KMFVP)’ for his poetry book
'Zoit' as the best Konknni book of 2009 year written in Roman script.
Walter Menezes is a noted Konknni writer. Besides Konknni, he writes
articles in English. The award consisted of a shawl, memento and cash
Rs. 5,000/-. Ms Shilpa Salvi and Ms Joanita D’Silva of TSKK recited
two Konknni poems of Walter Menezes from his book Zoit. While replying
to the award, Walter said that he would continue to serve Konknni in
roman script and dedicate his next book to Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz
and release it on his death anniversary, namely on 20 December.
Fr. Ave Maria Afonso, the executive editor of Konknni monthly 'Dor
Mhoineachi Rotti' for the last three years was felicitated by the
chief guest during this function. Ms Preeta Naik Parab introduced Fr.
Ave to the audience. The guest of honour and the Provincial Superior
of Goa Jesuit Province Rev. Dr. Anthony da Silva, S.J., thanked Fr.
Ave for his three years of dedicated service to Jesuits. At this
occasion Ms Concy Fernandes, a XII standard student from Vasco was
awarded Lourenço Umbelina scholarship by Mr. Walter Fernandes.
Fr. Pratap Naik, S.J. the director of TSKK welcomed the gathering. Ms
Netra Kundaikar proposed the vote of thanks. Konknni writer and last
year’s KMFVP recipient Mr. Daniel F. D’Souza compered the function in
his excellent style.
Pratap Naik, S.J.
Director
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Pictures by Miguel Braganza,
S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa
Ph 9822982676 miguelbraganza@yahoo.co.in
