Media Release

Mumbai, Aug 26: “We, Konkanis are fortunate to have the status of an independent language, Konkani. This became possible due to the tremendous efforts and sacrifice by Konkani stalwarts like Shenoy Goembab, Bakibab Borker, Ravindra Kelkar in Goa and J B Moraes, J B Sequeira, GMB Rodrigues in Mumbai and thousands of Konkani lovers from Kerala to Mumbai. Unlike olden times, when Konkani was treated as the language of the kitchen, now it enjoys the status of being the State language of Goa which is taught in Schools and colleges in Goa, Karnataka etc.” Mishal Queeni D’Costa, IRS (Deputy director, National Customs Targeting Centre, Mumbai) was speaking as the chief guest at this celebration at Saraswati Vidya Mandir High School Auditorium in Mahim West on Sunday evening.

KBMM president Albert W D’Souza, Elvina Albert D’Souza, vice president Advocate Pius Vas, general secretary Lawrence D'Souza Kamani, joint secretary John R Pereira and honorary treasurer Malwin Fernandes were present on the Dais. The chief guest inaugurated the beautiful souvenir brought out to mark the occasion and honoured the Pratibha Puraskar Awardees. Guest of honour and others presented mementos and certificates to the winners of the talent competition-2025 which was held earlier during the day. The winners were judged by judges Kenneth Zuzarte, Clarrisa Lobo, Crystal Saldanha, - singing and Jenitha D’Souza, Janice D’Souza and Joyce D’Souza - dance category. The talent competition was held earlier in the day.

Maxim I Pinto, vice chairman, Model Co-op Bank was the guest of Honor at the event. Speaking on the occasion, Pinto said Konkani is a sweet language, pleasing to the ears, written in five different scripts and is patronized by Konkani people living all over the World. It becomes the identity of Konkani people wherever they travel.

Welcoming the gathering, Albert W D’Souza said that languages are the identity of ethnicity. More than 50 lac Konkani speaking people in India are spread over from Gujarat to Kerala, using different scripts and dialects but their mother tongue is Konkani. In this digital world, languages can be translated and/or transliterated from any language of our liking to one’s own language and can enjoy the richness of such translated language. It is necessary that we translate literature from other languages to Konkani to further enrich our mother tongue.

Konkani film director Harry Fernandes, Barkur, veteran dramatist Francis Fernandes Cascia, journalist couple Lawrence Coelho and Suzan Coelho, Gregory D'Souza, CCCI, Vincent Castelino Vidyavihar, Sunita Soares and Pascal Lobo, Walter D’Souza Jerimeri were honoured with Flowers. KBMM assistant secretary Pascoal Lobo, joint treasurer Walter D'Souza Jerimeri, executive committee members Tony Martins, Ruzario K Fernandes and a large number of Konkani signatories were present on the occasion. As part of the cultural programme, there was singing and dance by the children of the Mandal.

Malwin G Fernandes was the key-note speaker of the day who gave a brief history of the Konkani struggle and the rich culture and literature of language.

Noted Novelist and story writer, H J Goveas was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award - 2025 with Shawl, Citation, Fruits and cash prize during the programme. In his acceptance speech, Goveas thanked organizers and lauded the activities of the Mandal.

The programme commenced with the National Anthem and homage to the departed souls of the members of the Mandal. Lawrence D'Souza Kamani and Advocate Pius Vas introduced the chief guest and guest of honour respectively. Sunita Soares read the Citation of H J Goveas. Cyril Castelino and Leo Fernandes compered the programme and introduced the winners of the talent competition and Pratibha Puraskar awardees. Tony Martins proposed the vote of thanks.