News and Pics by Ancy Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (CN)
Mumbai, Feb 1: “Konkani is our mother tongue. We need to give prime importance to it. We should never forget our mother, mother land, and our mother tongue. We need to love and respect all three mothers”, said Francis Fernandes Cascia receiving the title ‘Konkani Sahitya Kala Ratna’ from the Vasai Konkani Associaion.
Local MLA Hitendra Thakur, presiding over the function, congratulated Konkani people for gathering in large numbers. He also assured his full support for the Konkani people of Vasai.
Fr Ozy Gonsalves was the chief guest. Narayan Mankar, president, Navghar-Manickpur Nagar Parishad, V P Lobo, CEO, Evershine Builders, Robert Menezes, CMD, Micro Pneumatics, Prakash Rodericks, vice-president, Nagar Parishad, Nitin Raut, former president, Nagar Parishad, Nelson Lobo Education Committee chairman, and senior corporator Frank D’Souza were the guests of honour at the programme.
Hitendra Thakur and Fr Gonsalves honoured Cascia with a shawl, flowers, fruits, a citation and a certificate. Ened D’ Souza read the felicitation note. Blanch Alvares welcomed the gathering. President Stephen Fernandes, committee members Richard Lewis, Reginald Santhmayar, John Rodrigues, Patrick Menezes, Aveline Pinto, Cyprian D’Souza, Harry D’Souza, Francis D’Souza, and Ivan Rebello were also present on the dais.
The association had organized Cascia’s Konkani drama ‘Mhataro Chorbela’ at Manickpur Church campus in Vasai West, recently. There was an overwhelming response from the public and the organizers had to stop selling entry passes three days before. Many were disappointed at being turned away.
An audience of more than 1,500 enjoyed the comedy play. There were two lucky draws on the entry passes which were won by Ronald Lewis and Gracy Lobo.