Goans urged to speak in Konkani, support writers
HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, OCT 26 Former principal of St Xaviers College Fr Antimo Gomes has appealed to Goans to speak in Konkani and to support Konkani writers by purchasing their books. He was addressing a function organized by the Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr to award the Antonio Pereira Konknni Purosker to B E Mendes. Konknni was introduced in the Primary school after Liberation, but it did not receive the required support from the government during the initial years. Goans should not feel ashamed to speak their mother tongue Konkani and should encourage the Konkani writers by purchasing their books, remarked Fr Gomes. Antonio Pereira Konknni Purosker, which consists of a cheque for Rs 25,000, a memento and a shawl, was awarded to Mendes in recognition of the services rendered by him in the field of Konkani literature. In his speech, Mendes said he has so far written around 20 books in Konknni and he used to visit Goan houses in Bombay from Colaba to Borivali to sell Konkani books. Earlier in his welcome address, Fr Pratap Naik informed that the Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar is presented each year to Konkani writers, musicians, etc, who have been residing in Goa for the last 15 years and have done appreciable work during their lifetime. Fr Naik, however, lamented that the poor attendance at the function only indicated that Konkani language did not get the respect it deserved from the people in the State. On the occasion, Mendes released the 13th Research journal published by Thomas Stephens Kendra. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3445&cid=26 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
