Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 10: Konkani Sangh of St Aloysius College (Autonomous) for the year was inaugurated at the Eric Mathias Hall on Friday, June 9.
The multi-talented, multi-lingual film actress and Konkani movie Sophiya’s actress Ester Noronha was the chief guest for the programme.
Ester’s parents, Janet Noronha, producer of 'Sophiya', and Valerian Noronha also accompanied her.
St Aloysius College, Maffei block’s vice principal and Konkani writer Fr Melwyn Pinto, SJ was the guest of honour.
The programme began with a prayer song by the members of the Konkani Sangh. Melroy D’Souza, secretary of Konkani Sangh welcomed the gathering.
Fr Praveen Martis, SJ and Renita Menezes, president of the Konkani Sangh gave a floral welcome to the guests on the dais.
Ester Noronha and other guests inaugurated the Konkani Sangh’s activities for the year 2017-18 by lighting the lamp. Ester Noronha unveiled the logo of the Konkani Sangh.
Roshan Lobo, former secretary, presented the report of the association of the last year.
On occasion, Ester Noronha was felicitated by the principal and the presidents of Konkani Sangh for her great contribution to Konkani by her talents.
Ester Noronha addressed the gathering on this occasion. She emphasised the importance of Konkani and requested students to come forward and showcase their talents in every field. She gave her own example, by telling the students how she participated in every competition in college and at the parish level. She encouraged students to watch her movie ‘Sophiya’ and encouraged them to support Konkani talents.
Fr Melwyn Pinto, SJ in his speech spoke on the beauty of the Konkani language. He stressed the importance of Konkani language and encouraged students to speak Konkani. He congratulated the Konkani Sangh for conducting various activities in the past years and wished them the best for future activities.
Fr Leo D’Souza, SJ, director of Applied Biology lab in his speech highlighted the contribution of Jesuit priests and how they came to Mangaluru and learnt Konkani language, a hundred years ago, when they started St Aloysius College in Mangaluru.
Principal Fr Praveen Martis, SJ congratulated Ester Noronha for her contribution in the Konkani movie industry. He mentioned St Aloysius College was one of the first colleges in Mangaluru to offer Konkani as second language. He congratulated the members of the Konkani Sangh and encouraged them to conduct more activities related to Konkani.
Konkani Cultural dance was performed by Konkani Sangh members. Ester Noronha performed a Konkani song during the programme.
Jesvita Quadras, secretary of the association proposed the vote of thanks. Jevita Ferrao compered the programme.
Finance officer of the college, Fr Pradeep Sequiera, SJ, registrar Dr A M Narahari, vice principals Dr Alwyn D’Sa and John Sherra, research coordinator Dr Norbert Lobo, presidents of the Konkani Sangh Renita Menezes, and Hazel Mathias, AICUF and CLC members were present on occasion.