Sandesha Foundation Awards confered on 10 eminent personalities

Sandesha Foundation Awards confered on 10 eminent personalities

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, February 13: Prof T. C. Shivashankar Murthy, the vice chancellor of the Mangalore University, conferred the annual Sandesha awards on 10 achievers during a glittering awards ceremony organized by Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education at the premises of Sandesha at Bajjody.

Awards were conferred on Dr. Saa Shi Marulayya (Kannada literature), Paul Moras (Konkani literature), Kukkady Vishwanath Rai Puttur (Tulu literature), Vittal Shetty (arts), M. S. Narasimha Murthy (cinema/TV), Gauri Lankesh (Journalism), Veereshwara Punyashrama (media education), and Sunith Prabhu (best teaching). The Konkani Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus Memorial Sandesha Konkani Music Award was conferred on Walter Albuquerque SJ and the Sandesha Special Recognition Award was conferred on Raymond D’Souza. Each award includes a cheque for Rs. 10,000, a shawl, a citation, and a trophy.


























Congratulating the recipients of the awards, Prof. Shivashankar Murthy said that the award winners are chosen by a panel of eminent judges who ensure that the awards go only to the deserving.

Gauri Lankesh recalled that her father was one of the first recipients of the media award 20 years ago and said that she feels that she is on the right track now that she has won a similar award. Stating that this award has been conferred on the entire Lankesh fraternity, she said that she considers the award to be an “endorsement of Lankesh Patrike’s fight against social inequality and injustice.” Flaying the Sangh Parivar, she said that Lankesh Patrike intends to eliminate elements that create social inequality and fight against forces that oppress Dalits and the people who tortured innocent Muslims in Aadi Udupi two years ago and attacked churches in Karnataka.

The other award winners also delivered acceptance speeches and thanked the organizers for recognizing their achievements.

Sandesha Director Fr. Valerian Mendonca delivered the welcome address. Dr. Na D’Souza, a member of the jury, spoke about the Sandesha awards. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the bishop of Mangalore, presided over the programme. Galdin D’Souza, a trustee of Sandesha, proposed the vote of thanks. Manjula, the Akashavani artiste, was the MC. A cultural programme comprising songs and dance performances was the highlight of the event.

The members of the jury Richard Louis, Fr. Mark Valder, Dr. Na Da Shetty, Dr. Fr. Charles Vas, Concepta Fernandes, Joel Pereira, and others were also present.