UZWAAD...Memoirs of 95-yr-old M'lorean in Canada

  •   Sat, Sep 13 2025
  •   By Ivan Saldanha-Shet

September 13, 2025

Dr Mohan Prabhu QC, dedicated Konkani protagonist and lover of old Mangalore, long in Canada has greatly struggled to put in our hands his glorious Memoirs this week and this is a brief pre-release news on his Book "UZWAAD' (English -Pages 170, Price Rs.450/- ) now available. In Spite of his age and attendant limitations it is a wonder and a tribute to Mangalore and Konkani This intrepid human, has gone through the unimagined in the last 95 years and his thumb nail story and thinking presented briefly will attract most people. In the picture just received, we see Dr Mohan Prabhu holding the new book and his older one 'KonKanKit'. Now, let us all be aware and get this book and enjoy the 170 pages and the way Mangalore and India was in the 1940s on. The book is on sale now at Jerosa & Co, opp Milagres Church, Hampankatta, Mangalore. Or Publisher: Goa, 1556 (publishers) at Saligao, Goa. Via mail-order (delivery across India). Contact via WhatsApp message +91-9822122436 with a cc to goa1556books@gmail.com.

Dr Mohan Prabhu, a great Human, Scholar and Author with many books and research papers in the last few years has been gracefully aging, his present lack of sight and age related illness has not deterred him from leading a full life of reaching out to others. It is a matter of admiration that five years ago his last book "Teach Yourself Konkani - "KonKanKit", is the result of love of the author for his mother-tongue, and amazingly a one man effort, for his 'Mai Bhas' Konkani. A commercial interest is totally absent in this book of 540 pages painstakingly, practically and systematically produced using vast knowledge of a 90 year old after years of deep study and much thought. The true person is revealed in his writings.

The Unique Author: Dr Mohan Prabhu Earned, BA, MA, LL.B (Bombay), LL.M (London), LL.D (Ottawa), QC (Canada)...An achiever. The author was born and raised in Mangaluru where he was immersed in Konkani. He is not however a Konkani scholar/pundit as English has been the medium of all his education, law career in academia and in government, and of his writing, spanning six decades and all in the West. Nonetheless, he is proud and skilled to communicate in classic Konkani. A Konkani Catholic hailing from the heart of Mangaluru, Balmatta - from a forgotten quarter called 'Sanyasi Gudda" Araya Samaj Road. When this our protagonist was in search for his childhood roots and Sanyasi Gudda, he made contact with potential sources here; though living for long in Canada, deep at heart is a "Mannina Maga" 'Son of the Soil'.

Genealogy: Mohan Prabhu (name at birth: Michael Antony Castelino, legally changed later), born in Mangalore January 17, 1931, son of Athanasius Peter Castelino (1886-1968) was an official of Father Muller’s hospital Kankanady, he oversaw the affairs of the hospital properties and supervised the building constructions for the hospital which in those times were always in progress. The author is from a large family of 11. Mohan married his wife Clareen in Bombay (now Mumbai) on April 25, 1965 at the well-known St. Michael's Church, Mahim. Their three children : Fiona Rita (54) only daughter, family physician at Texas Tech Health Centre in Lubbock, TX; Leighton Peter (53), investment specialist and e-commerce businessman elder son and Clifton Michael (50), younger son, US and Canadian lawyer, in New York.

Dr Mohan Prabhu's long-time focus was to highlight his roots and people of the soil of Kanara and their Konkani rooting, traditions and back ground, the fact that the book is titled in Konkani 'UZWAAD' (Light) speaks much; many of his folks and admirers all over the world rooted for him and hoped and wished him well to accomplish his long time deep and genuine wish and commitment to his heritage which he wanted to leave a true simple mark for posterity. Dr Mohan has in own lofty simple manner and many will be glad to have and read his book, done in true down to earth home grown style. GOD blesses his desires and life's journey and will give him true satisfaction as his Sun Sets and so will the lives of his admirers sooner or later. So, all gratitude to the Great Creator of all who is Supreme.

 

 

 

 
By Ivan Saldanha-Shet
To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

  • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
  • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
  • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
  • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
  • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
  • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
  • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
  • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

Comment on this article

  • Richard, Mangaluru

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Congratulations Dr. Mohan Prabhu. Writing a book at this age is a commendable achievement. Thank you Mr. Ivan shet for writing a inspiring article about Dr. Mohan Prabhu.

  • Caroline Gengan, Pietermaritzburg. South Africa

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Thank you so much dear Mr Ivan Saldanha , for this most beautiful tribute and heartwarming article on your dear longtime friend, Dr Mohan Prabhu , the 95 year old author of the newly published book -Uzwaad . The book speaks of the incredible life’s journey of the author who rose to the pinnacles of success in life and career , despite facing many challenges and hurdles in his life , through sheer courage and steely determination. It’s an extraordinary journey and deeply inspiring story! The book was written with his failing eyesight and in his mid- nineties, which is an incredible feat in itself! The most remarkable thing about Dr Mohan Prabhu is that despite all the success and fame that he has achieved in life , he remains most humble and down to earth ! Although , he left the shores of his motherland over 6 decades ago , his heart still belonged to his beloved hometown , Mangalore. His book KonKanKit that he published when he was 91, is his tribute to his mother tongue Konkani . The book is simple and user friendly , helping readers to learn the language easily or even brush up on their Konkani . The title of his memoirs , ‘ Uzwaad ‘ , speaks volumes… it is a beacon of hope and an inspirational guiding light to many who find themselves in similar difficult circumstances as he was in , during his early years . I’m ever grateful to be a recipient of both his books and will forever treasure and cherish them . Thank you dear Dr Mohan Prabhu , for your legacy of Hope , Love and Kindness.

  • Samson ravi raj jathanna, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Congratulations Dr. Mohan prabhu on your book which shows you are indeed the uzvaad of mangalore. And thank you Mr. Ivan saldana shet for your insightful article. God bless you ivan saldana sir ❤️💐🌹🙏

  • Molly Pinto, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Congratulations dear Dr. Prabhu. Thank you for writing your memoir. A very encouraging message for those who wish to give up. Absolute respect to you Sir. Your are a treasure. May your steps stay strong and your spirit ever burning. God bless you and your beautiful family🌹 God bless you Ivan, for all you do🙏

  • Dr. Edward Nazareth, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Thank you, Mr. Ivan Saldanha Shet, for your insightful article on Dr. Mohan Prabhu (Antony Michael Castelino), who has remarkably published a book at the age of 95. Such an achievement is truly commendable and stands as a source of inspiration to many, reminding us that passion for knowledge and creativity has no age limit.

  • Anita, Hubli

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Article is very much inspiring and effective..we get aware of the great personalities and their lives.. Thank you Ivan Uncle

  • Marjorie Texeira, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Dear Mohan Congratulations on your book. You are you indeed the " Uzvaad" of Mangalore. Writing a book at this age is a great achievement. You are an inspiration to the Mangalorean community. Rgds Marjorie Texeira

  • Prem Moras, Mangaluru

    Sat, Sep 13 2025

    Congratulations Dr. Mohan Prabhu on your book which showcase your Journey from Mangalore to Bombay and then later to England and Canada.


Leave a Comment

Title: UZWAAD...Memoirs of 95-yr-old M'lorean in Canada



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.