Mangaluru: Konkani Recognition Day was celebrated at St. Theresa Church, Paldane, Mangaluru. The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Richard Aloysius Coelho, presided over the programme. In his address, he urged Konkani-speaking families to converse in their mother tongue at home in order to preserve and promote the language.
Roy Castelino, Public Relations Officer of the Mangalore Diocese and former President of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, was the chief guest. He spoke about the history of Konkani gaining official recognition and encouraged everyone to take responsibility for safeguarding the language and passing it on to future generations.
Church Vice President Elias Fernandes welcomed the gathering. Prizes were distributed to winners of singing and poetry recitation competitions held as part of the celebration.
Charles Fernandes, a church member who has rendered notable service in promoting Konkani language and culture, was felicitated on the occasion.
Present on the dais were Jocelyn Lobo, coordinator of all church commissions, convent superiors Sr. Monti and Sr. Vibha, and Patsy Monteiro, coordinator of the Cultural Committee.
Church Pastoral Council Secretary Austin Monteiro proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Roshan Crasta.