Konkani activist Fr. Mark Valder honored on 75th birthday

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 14, 2011: Raknno Publications, belonging to Raknno Konkani Weekly; Punov Publications, belonging to Mrs. Clara Lobo; and Nazareth Publications, belonging to Dr. Edward Nazareth jointly organized a meeting of Konkani writers and activists on Nov 13 Sunday at Bishop’s House in Kodialbail. Fr.  Mark Valder, a renowed Konkani activist, who was the editor of Raknno Konkani Weekly from 1973 to 1985, was felicitated on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

 

Mr. Basti Vaman Shenoy, the president of the World Konkani Centre, honored Fr. Mark Valder and said in his address that Fr. Valder was an effective guide for the Konkani movement of the seventies and eighties. Stating that Fr. Valder has effectively guided many into a sea of Konkani wealth, he said that Fr. Valder has worked with Konkani activists such as B. V. Baliga, Damodar Prabhu, and others and has used his journalistic talents to adorn his mother tongue. He has made Konkani popular at the international level, he added.

Speaking about his association with Fr. Valder, Mr. Edwin J. F. D’Souza, the Konkani fiction writer, said that Fr. Valder is famous for his encouragement of young writers and that Fr. Valder had encouraged him greatly by publishing his scientific novel on flying saucers.

Mr. Abraham Basil D’Souza, also known as Aabaa London, a renowned Konkani writer based in England, honored the priest with a shawl, a garland, and fruits.

In response to the honor, Fr. Valder said that he had learned to write, edit, and public because of a number of teachers. Stating that almost everybody in the Konkani community has taught him something, he said that the language itself has formed and informed him and has helped him transcend dialect, creed, and religion.

Maxim Pinto Kelarai’s book Sotham Ani Kotham was released by Fr. Mark Valder on this occasion. Dr. Edward Nazareth’s Malgodyanchi Bolaiki was also released on this occasion. Both writers said that Fr. Valder is responsible for their growth as writers.

Fr. Francis Rodrigues, the editor of Raknno Konkani Weekly, presided over the event. Fr. Vijay Victor Lobo of Canara Communications Centre showed a PowerPoint presentation on Fr. Mark Valder as a writer, thinker, editor, and person. Charles D’Souza, the Konkani writer, introduced the guests to the audience.

A number of contemporary Konkani writers and activists had participated in the event.