Dr Austin  D'Souza Prabhu felicitated

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Apr 12: "Konkani, a language of diversity, has many scripts, dialects and cultures of various regions and religions. But it connects one to another. This diversity has made Konkani. Hence we need to take pledge to save our mother tongue in all its diversities. It is time to unite as speakers of the language. My humble request to all communities, organisations, groups and individuals is to come together and do something good for our mother tongue," said Dr Austin D'Souza Prabhu.

Dr Austin Prabhu was speaking in a programme organised by Konkani Jagatik Sanghatan and Mandd Sobhann, at Kalaangann here on Monday, April 10.

"Learning many languages is good and appreciable. But if we learn everything, forgetting our native language, it leads to loosing our identity. I rarely get chances to speak Konkani in public when in Chicago. But at home, I speak Konkani. This has helped me retain my name in the Konkani world," he added.

Dr Austin  D'Souza Prabhu was also felicitated by Roy Castelino, former president of Konkani Sahitya Academy, during the programme. Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann, Eric Ozario presented him a memento.

Secretary general of Konkani Jagatik Sanghatan Eric Ozario presented the Konkani 'language plan' with inputs received from various Konkani organisations all over the world, and at two international conventions. It includes short term and long term goals with guidelines and 10 imperatives for the language. He briefed the vision, mission and road map of the language plan.

Mandd Sobhann member Romans Lobo compered the programme.

Louis Pinto the president of Mandd Sobhann and Stany Alvares were present on occasion among others.