Media Release
Mumbai, Aug 25: The Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Maharashtra celebrated its 84th anniversary and 34th Konkani Recognition Day 2026 at the Saraswati Vidya Mandir High School Auditorium, Mahim West, on Aug 23rd Sunday evening.
Adv Genevieve Vas was the chief guest at the celebration. The programme commenced with the National Anthem, followed by a solemn homage to the departed souls of members of the Mandal including Late Konkani Singer Henry D'Souza, who passed away recently. His contribution to Konkani music and culture was remembered with respect by the gathering.
Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra president Albert W D’Souza, vice president Adv Pius Vas, chairman Henry Lobo, general secretary Lawrence D’Souza Kamani, joint secretary John R Pereira, assistant secretary Pascol Lobo and honorary treasurer Malwin Fernandes were present on the dais.
In his welcome address, president Albert W D’Souza said that language is an important identity of an ethnic community. He pointed out that more than 50 lac Konkani-speaking people in India are spread across the region from Gujarat to Kerala, using different scripts and dialects while sharing Konkani as their mother tongue.
He stressed the importance of preserving and enriching the language in the digital age. He said that modern technology enables literature to be translated and transliterated into different languages and expressed the need to translate literature from other languages into Konkani to further enrich and strengthen the mother tongue.
The keynote address was delivered by Adv Pius Vas, who spoke about the history of the Konkani struggle and highlighted the rich cultural and literary heritage of the Konkani language.
As part of the celebrations, the chief guest inaugurated the souvenir published to mark the occasion and honoured the Pratibha Puraskar awardees. Veteran dramatist Francis Fernandes Cascia and journalist couple Lawrence Coelho and Suzan Coelho were also felicitated with flowers.
A major highlight of the programme was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 to noted Konkani personality Lawrence D’Souza Kamani. He was honored with a shawl, citation, fruits and a cash prize in recognition of his valuable contribution and dedicated service. In his acceptance speech, Lawrence D’Souza Kamani thanked the organisers and appreciated the continued activities of the Mandal in promoting the Konkani language, culture and community.
The celebrations also featured a cultural programme, with children of the Mandal presenting songs and dances, adding colour and vibrancy to the occasion.
Flora D’Souza Jerimeri read the citation of the Pratibha Puraskar awardees. Clement Lobo compered the programme. Malwin S Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.