Decennial celebrations of Konkani monthly, popular ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’

Decennial celebrations of Konkani monthly, popular ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 04, 2019 : Konkani monthly, popular ‘Naman Ballok Jesu’, celebrated it’s ten years of publication at ’Carmel Hill’ on March 3, Sunday. Rev. Msgr Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese presided.

‘Naman Ballok Jesu’ a monthly magazine run by the Carmelite Fathers has been  successful in educating people to find spirituality in their own walk of life and has also  honoured such people especially youngsters and social workers who have lived their spirituality to the full.”

Eminent poet Andrew L’ D’Cunha, released two books published by Dhyanavana  Publications, Bengaluru on the occasion: ‘Kajule’ a collection of Nano Stories by young  Carmelite priest Fr. Joseph Cyril D’Souza widely known by his acronym Jocy Siddakate, the Editor of the Magazine and ‘Porajit’, a collection of articles by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira, the Asst.  Editor of the Magazine.

Awards, Amulya Akash Yuva Pratibha Puraskar – 2018’ to Jaison J. Sequeira, Konkani Poet,  Singer/Composer from Gurpur and Venizeia Carlo, Powerlifting Champion from Bajjodi. Rodrigues handed over a cheque of Rs. 20,000/- each to the winners.

‘NBJ - Godwin-Sushma Rasquinha Great Achievers Award -2018’ was also handed over to Shamitha Rao and Renita Lobo. Renita and Shamitha, after obtaining degrees from a college in Mangalore University started providing education to the deprived classes in a village named Shankarnarayana by the side of Siddapur road – Kundapur. The school, named after  Mother Theresa, which started off in 1998 with 4 students, has now grown into an  institution running classes from LKG to PU class where 1,050 students are getting  education.

Sponsor of the award Mrs  Sushma Rasquinha handed over a cheque of Rs. 30,000/-   The Album named ‘Sambram II’ by Fr. Alwyn Sequeira was released on the same occasion. It comprises songs in Konkani for various occasion. He has 12 devotional albums to his  credit.

The Special issue of the Decennial year was released by Mr. Praveen Patrao, a great supporter of the magazine and the Proprietor of Prasad Printers. On this occasion young writer Ria Vithasaha known by her pen name Muddu Teerthahalli,  who had shot to fame through her book ‘Ondu Chandrana Thundu’, a collection of essays distributed prizes to the first ever ‘NBJ – Online Konkani Poetry Recitation Challenge  competition’.

The grand celebration culminated with the staging of drama, Mammy Maka Zai, written by Walston DSa and staged by Panglache Kale.

Provincial Superior of the Carmelites Fr. Charles Serrao, Msgr Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese, Mr. Ronald Anil Fernandes KPSC Member, State Govt.; Eminent  Writers Muddu Thirthahalli and Mr. Andrew L D Cunha, as well as Fr. Wilfred Rodrigues,  Superior of St. Joseph’s Monastery and Fr. Joseph Cyril D’Souza, Editor were on the dais.