Mangaluru: “Konkani Amchi Bhas, Konkan Amcho Gaon”. Konkani Manyatha Divas was celebrated very creatively and meaningfully at Infant Mary Church, Bajjodi, on Sunday, August 31st under the leadership of YCS unit, Bajjodi. Fr. Ivan D’souza Editor of Naman Balok Jezu and Director of Carmel Kiran and Mass-Media was the chief guest. He gave a call to preserve our mother tongue Konkani in our homes. Konkani is privileged to be one of the 22 languages to be recognised as the national language in the 8th schedule.
In the beginning the audience paid tribute to Vishvwa Konkani Kalaratna Eric Ozario by keeping silence for two minutes and offering flowers to his portrait. Later, in a creative way the logo of the “Konkani manyatha Divas” was unveiled by the Chief Guest.
Then many competitions were conducted from the Children to the Elders like Konkani Speech and poem recitation competition, Konkani Collage competition and Konkani Cultural competition which was conducted to the elders.
The judges specially appreciated the excellency of Konkani language and pronunciation of the Bajjodi children.
At the end prizes & certificates were distributed to all the participants and special prizes to the winners. In his presidential address Fr. Dominic Vas, parish priest, gave a Clarion call to all the parishioners to speak and teach Konkani to their children in their homes. Otherwise Konkani may become a fossil like some of the languages of the past.
Kudos to the YCS Unit of Bajjodi for organising the program so methodically, creatively and meticulously.