Pics: Anush Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Dec 17: The 18th Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award was conferred on well-known Konkani writer J F D'Souza, Attavar, in a glittering function held at St Sebastian Church Hall, Bendore, on Monday, December 16.
Noted Kannada writer and columnist ‘JoGi’ (Girish Rao Hatwar), who attended as guest of honour, felicitated J F D'Souza with a shawl and memento. Principal of Padua College and director of Padua Ranga Adhyayana Kendra Fr Alwyn Serrao, who was the chief guest, handed over the citation to J F D'Souza and convener of Konkani Kutam, Bahrain, Richard Moras, handed over a cheque for Rs 50,000 as the prize money of the award.
Wishing J F D’Souza, ‘JoGi’ said, “In first interaction itself I noticed the simplicity and nobleness of J F D’Souza. Through organizers I came to know that he was continuously writing from the past few decades. Majority of his writings are related to children’s literature. I congratulate him and expect more literature from him.
“Awards are given only for previous writings or literary work. So once a writer receives an award, he cannot sit quite saying that he achieved something. An award is like a shirt for a literary person. He should change it regularly. Otherwise, it will start to stink. So every award winner should be active after felicitation and by this they should secure more awards. Digitalization is one of the major threat to local languages, and the current generation is highly influenced by this. The new trend of social media vanished the long hour reading habits of youths. If they argue that social media gives quick information, it is wrong. They only get very less information and that also in a common language. There is nothing to encourage local language and slowly generations forgets their mother tongue,” he said.
Fr Alwyn said, “Hundreds of local, less-spoken languages are slowly going towards extinction every year due to various reasons. Globalization stands first which is very dangerous to local languages. If a language is not being used, it means that community also is losing its existence. Our ancestors handed over our language to us with pride. We have the responsibility to hand it over to our next generation. When we fail to do it, we losing our identity and existence.”
Thanking the gathering, J F D’Souza said, “The habit of reading made me a writer. I used to read magazines and books regularly to gain knowledge. The editors of Konkani and Kannada magazines supported me lot and they published my articles in their periodicals. Many supported me to publish my books, hence I can say that they are also behind my success. Also, my family members encouraged me to write continuously and with their support I am still writing. I thank Konkani Kutam Bahrain for the honour and I believe through this award, my responsibility in literature field has doubled.”
Henry D’Almeida, convenor, Konkani Kutam Bahrain, did introductory speech. Richie Moras, local convenor, Konkani Kutam Bahrain, welcomed the gathering. Titus Noronha, member, organizing committee, introduced the guests. CJS Taccode, Konkani writer, introduced J F D’Souza to guests and gathering. William Pais read the citation.
'Masam', a short story collection of Konkani writer Antony Barkur, was released during the event .
Leslie Rego compered the event.