Mangalore: The newly appointed president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino took over the charge during the function held at the Academy office premises here on March 6.
The programme began with an invocation. Registrar of Konkani Sahitya Academy Devadas Pai welcomed the gathering. Pai also mentioned in his introductory speech that Roy is a builder by profession but for Konkani Sahitya Academy he is the builder of the Konkani team. He also briefed about Roy’s contribution for the Konkani Language through Konkani Prachar Sanchalan and his efforts in introducing Konkani in Schools.
MLA of Mangalore South Constituency J R Lobo handed over the appointment letter to Roy Castelino on the occasion. Addressing the gathering Roy Castelino said, “MLA J R Lobo is my role model and also for the entire district. As president of the KSA, I will work for the total development of the Konkani Language. We need Litterateurs, poets, writers and most of all readers to promote Konkani. Through Konkani Prachar Sanchalan we need to promote Konkani in all the schools in the state”.
He also said, “The government has appointed 10 committee members from Bijapur to Dakshina Kannada along with the president for the academy. I have the power to appoint three more committee members. Since the academy is in Mangalore, we have only one member from the district, so I have thought of appointing one member for Mangalore from the GSB community, another member from Bangalore and the third from Kasargod, who has settled in Mangalore. I will appoint three committee members from three districts to strengthen the academy”.
Speaking on the occasion Lobo said that the KSA will be successful under the leadership of Roy Castelino compared to other academies. When a person attains any power, it is obvious to feel happy but the same person will have more responsibilities on his shoulders. Konkani has been included in the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India. If we need to strengthen Konkani, our children should speak Konkani. If we want to retain any language or culture we have to speak, write and practice. He further said that we feel happy that Shetty’s speak Tulu language, Kodavas speak Kannada and Malayalees speak Malayalam where
ever they are but our Konkani people speak Konkani in English. Let our community give importance to Konkani language and take it to the next generation.
The former president of KSA Basti Vaman Shenoy speaking on the occasion expressed his confidence in the new president. He recalled that Roy is a capable person to take over the mantle and lift the Konkani flag high. Through Konkani Prachar Sanchalan Roy has already worked and is working for the development of Konkani.
Former presidents Eric Ozari, Narayan Kharvi and Kasargod Chinna also spoke on the occasion. Victor Karkal compered the programme.
The Academy members for the year 2014-15 are; Dr Aravind C Shanbagh, Ashok Kasargod, Dr Chethana S Nayak, Kamalaksha Shet, Shekar Gowda, Jayaram Narayan Siddi, M M Miran, Mamatha Kamath, Dr Varija Nirebail and Yaqoob Ahamed.
Courtesy: Manglorean