Rev. Fr. Mark Walder former Editor of Rakno Konkani Weekly and founder treasurer of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnataka (KBMK), passed away today 07 March 2024. He was 88.
He was born on 22 October 1936 at Badaga Yekkar Village, Mangalore. He joined St. Joseph Inter Diocesan Seminary Jeppu in 1957 and ordained by then Bishop Rt. Rev. Basil Dsouza on 2 February 1966.
In 1972 he was appointed assistant editor of Konkani weekly Raknno. While doing this job, he completed his Journalism Diploma course of Mysore University and a certificate course at St. Xavier’s Institute of Communication Mumbai in 1973. He was appointed Editor of Raknno in 1973 and he continued in this job up to 1985.
Fr. Mark Walder was instrumental in encouraging budding Konkani writers and poets. He conducted several workshops ranging from three days to one week to train budding writers. More than 50 new writers who got training from such workshops have now become well known literary people, journalist, poets etc.
He was Advisory committee member of Sahitya Akademy, Mangalore All India Radio Programme Broadcasting advisory committee member., Syllabus committee member of Central Administrative Exams. Worked as moderator for exams for two years.
Fr Mark worked as Honorary Lecturer for Konkani Studies in St. Aloysius College for the subject Journalism and Literature.
Journalism Award from Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademy, "Konkani Mhan Mhonis" Award from Mandd Sobhann, "Madhav Manjunath Konkani Seva Puraskar" from Goa Konkani Akademy.
Participated in six days conference in Rome organised by Union Of International Catholic Journalist Assoication also Worked as Parish Priest for three and half months in USA (New York and Los Angeles).
Funeral Details:
Funeral Mass at 9am (Public viewing at 8am) on Saturday 09, 2024 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church Valencia, Mangaluru.