Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Aug 13: The Vishwa Konkani Kendra will celebrate ‘Konkani Manyata Divas’ on August 20 to commemorate the recognition of Konkani as one of the languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India in 1992.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Press Club here on Thursday, representatives of the Konkani Language and Culture Foundation said the programme aims to create awareness among the younger generation about the Konkani language and its cultural heritage.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha recognised Konkani and included it in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution on August 20, 1992. The day is observed in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra, where a significant Konkani-speaking population resides.

As part of the celebrations, 10 teams comprising students from classes 6 to 10 of various schools have been invited to the Vishwa Konkani Kendra. The students will present various programmes in Konkani. Cash prizes of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 will be awarded to the teams securing the first, second and third places respectively.

Kausalya, a student of SVT School, Karkala, who studied Konkani as her third language from classes 6 to 10 and secured 100 marks, will also be presented a prize of Rs 5,000.

Members of the Konkani Vachana Sangha will present the Konkani Abhiman Geet. A Konkani play titled ‘Antardhwani’, written and directed by Ashok Nayak of Thalassery, will also be staged.

Goan Konkani writer and activist Anant Agni, recipient of the Dr TMA Pai Foundation’s Best Konkani Book Award for 2024, and Mangaluru-based Konkani writer and activist Melvyn Rodrigues, a Sahitya Akademi Konkani advisory board member and award-winning author, will be the chief guests.

The programme will begin at 9 am on August 20 at the Vishwa Konkani Kendra premises in Shakthinagar, Mangaluru, with the hoisting of the national flag and rendition of the Konkani Abhiman Geet. This will be followed by cultural performances by student teams, a keynote address and prize distribution. Lunch will be served at 1 pm.

Konkani Language and Culture Foundation honorary treasurer B R Bhat, honorary secretary Dr Kasturi Mohan Pai, vice-presidents William D’Souza and Ramesh Naik, programme presenter and chief coordinators M R Kamat and Ratnakar Kudda, Melvyn Rodrigues, a Sahitya Akademi Konkani advisory board member and playwright Ashok Nayak were present at the press conference.