Colorful procession marks beginning of 4-day Konkani fest
Mangalore Today News Network
In his inaugural address, the former chief minister said that ethnic groups exist only because of their language and culture. Giving the example of Greece, he said that Greece lost it significance because its language and culture collapsed. Further, he said that the people of India stand united in spite of their religious differences because language binds them together.
Stating that the government has always supported the Konkani language, he said that the government released Rs. 1 crore for the construction of a marriage hall for the Kharvi community in Kundapur and Rs. 1 crore for the development of the Kudubi community. He said that the government is making all efforts possible to bring back backward Konkani-speaking communities into the mainstream. Besides, the state government is now studying the pros and cons of a proposal to give backward class status to the Kudubi community.
MLA Abhayachandra Jain and MLC Captain Ganesh Karnik were the chief guests of the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Bishop Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza said that the Christian contribution to language is great.
In his presidential address, Yogish Bhat, deputy speaker of the legislative assembly, said that the Konkani Bhavan will be constructed soon.
Basti Vaman Shenoy, MLC Monappa Bhandary, Kundapur Narayan Kharvi, the former presidents of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Parishad, Registrar Dr. B. Devadas Rai, President Kasargod Chinna, and Beary Sahitya Academy President Rahim Uchil were the dignitaries on the dais.
Dr. Prabhakar Bhat inaugurated the procession of folk artist troupes that marked the beginning of this event.
Among those present were Umanath Kotian, president of the Tulu Sahitya Academy; Stany Alvares, president of Mandd Sobhann; and C. L. Shenoy, president of the GSB Sarva Devala Samithi.
A food festival called Kann Jevann will be organized at Town Hall on Nov 23, Friday. Over 200 Konkani dishes will be displayed on this occasion.
On Nov 24, a multi-lingual poet’s meet will be held in the academy hall.