Media Release
Udupi, Sep 20: Annual general body meeting of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, Francis Danthi memorial sahitya puraskar and award ceremony of Denis D’Silva memorial essay competition was held on Sunday September 19, 2021.
Speaking on the occasion Fr Stany B Lobo, chancellor diocese of Udupi said , “Our youths today are forgetting their mother tongue and are attracted towards the foreign languages. We need to speak in our mother tongue more often. Today Konkani has become a decorative language. The language is now being used just for religious ceremonies only. It’s a hard fact that youths are less attracted towards Konkani language in current days. Everyone should contribute their part for the development of this beautiful and graceful language,” he said.
Fr Chethan Lobo, PRO Udupi diocese was honoured with Francis Danthi memorial literary award for his literary work 'Chethana Chintana'. Dr Gerald Pinto introduced the awardee.
Prizes of Denis D’Silva memorial essay competition were also distributed on the occasion. Alphonse D’Costa read the winners list.
Joseph Quadrous written 'The Old Man's club', comical writings published by Uzwaad publication was released on the occasion. Fr Royson Fernandes, editor Uzwaad fortnightly introduced the book.
Homage was paid to the founder president of Catholic Sabha Oscar Fernandes on the occasion. Ex president Alphonse D’costa remembered the service rendered by Oscar Fernandes for the Catholic Sabha.
Mary D’Souza, president Catholic Sabha Udupi pradesh presided over the annual general body meeting.
Olivia D’Mello, joint secretary read the report of 2019-20 general body meeting. The annual report for the year 2020-21 was presented by secretary Gregory PK D’Souza, budget was presented by treasurer Gerald Rodriguez. The report of MANASA was presented by chairman Henry Menezes. Walter Cyril Pinto presented the report of Sashakth Samudaya Seva trust.
Spiritual director Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, past president Robert Menezes, Ex president Valerian Fernandes, deanery presidents Lavina Pereira Udupi, Leena Machado Shirva, Louis D’souza Kallianpur, Mable Dsouza Kundapur, Solomon Alvares Karkala were present on the occasion.
Santhosh Cornelio welcomed the gathering, Gregory PK proposed vote of thanks. Mable Dsouza compered the programme.