Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 16: “Carmelite friars in the city of Mangaluru have made a remarkable impact on Konkani literature and language in the past decades. They have taken up a unique and timely mission of making Konkani desirable to little children and adults as well by organizing story telling competitions and Konkani poetry recital challenge online. The advanced use of technology for the spread of Konkani language is what makes them unique,” said Nanu Marol Tottam, Convener of Daji Dubai, Konakni Writers Forum on the occasion of 13th anniversary programme of ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’ popular Konkani monthly of the Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, Mangaluru.
The 13th anniversary of the magazine was celebrated on September 15 at Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte in the city. It began with a prayer song by the Carmelite brothers Fr Jocy Siddakatte, editor of the magazine welcomed the guests and said that this celebration is of readers and writers.
Fr George Santumayor, assistant provincial of the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province, addressing the gathering said that the magazine has stepped into teenage, which is the sign of mischievous age of exploring what is around. “Naman Ballok Jesu has been exploring Christian life; not only the spiritual aspects but also it explores sociological witness. Hence the editors and writers have become a great source in pooling innovative ideas and executing them through the magazine for the benefit of all,” he said.
‘Girbuji’, an anthology of children’s poetry, by Roshu Bajpe and ‘Yes Lord, I have believed’, a doctoral thesis by Dr Fr Richard D’Souza OCD were released during this occasion by Fr Santhumayor and Fr Chareles Serrao, superior of St Joseph’s Monastery. Vincy Pinto Anjelore and Fr Stefan Pereira introduced the book respectively.
Pramod Rodrigues, Hospet was honored for his contribution as columnist to the magazine since 10 years. His column called, ‘E-Zanvai’, that deals with e-knowledge has been really informative to the readers.
The finalists and winners of ‘Kani Kani Kantha 2021’-online story telling competition were felicitated. Daiji Dubai, Konkani Writers forum had sponsored the prizes. Fr Santhumayor, Fr Serrao, Nanu, and Fr Stefan distributed the prizes and honored the winners.
‘Katha Rang’ a unique narrative was adopted to the stage by dramatist Astitva Mangalurur, headed by Christopher Neenasam and team. The story ‘emperor’s new clothes’ was adapted to Konkani and enacted.
Fr George Santthumayor, assistant provincial superior of the Carmelites, Fr Charles Serrao, superior of St Joseph’s Monastery and Clerence Fernandes (Nanu Marol), convener of Daiji Dubai, Fr Stefan Pereira, director of Dhaynavana publication and Fr Joseph Cyril D’Souza, editor were on the dais. Fr Ivan D’Souza expressed the vote of thanks. Elson Hirgan compered the programme.