Adopt Konkani in Roman script for the unity of Konkani says Dr Austin Prabhu

News & Pics by Ancy Paladka

Mumbai, 12 January 2010: "In order to achieve unity of all Konkani speaking people spread across the world adopt Konkani in Roman script" said Dr Austin D’Souza Prabhu during the book release of his devnagiri version of the 3500 collection of Konkani poems "VOZRAM" held on Saturday, Jan 9 at St. Francis Institute MBA Hall, Borivli Mumbai.

The book is transliterated by Ancy DSouza Paladka and published by Priya Prakashana Mumbai.

Rev Dr Charles Vas SVD - a World famous musician and the director of "Sangeeth Abhinay Akademy released the book. Jasmine D’Costa, author of "Curry is Thicker than water", an International Banker, President of Trade Architect of Canada and the president of Writers and Editors Network was the chief guest. P. N. Shanbhag was the guest of honour. Mrs Elvina DSouza secretary of Aldel Education Trust and the director of Printannia offset presided over the function.

Mrs Elvina DSouza honoured the author Austin DSouza Prabhu with a Shawl, Fruits/Flowers, Tree Of Dimonds, Cap, Momento and a Certificate. "Nothing is impossible in the world. If we put sufficient hardwork everything is possible. Konkani activities are more seen outside Mangalore." said Dr Austin DSouza Prabhu after accepting the honours. Answering to the query of uniting all Konkani people around the world, Dr Austin said "Recently when I had discussion with the Konkani stalwarts in Goa I was informed the need of preserving all scripts, dialects and diversity in Konkani. But I am in the opinion of going for one script for Konkani. I feel that if every Konkani person accept Roman script for reading and writing then we can get united faster." he said.

Mr Shanbhag honoured Mrs Jasmine DCosta with shawl and a certificate for her service to Mangalorean Catholics group that is run by Ancy Paladka. "I write and I act. I know how difficult it is to write. I am happy to see so much of writing talent in our mother tongue Konkani" Mrs Jasmine after receiving the honours.

"Konkani is a great language. We need to nurture it by producing good literature." said Rev Dr Charles Vas.

"We need to support Konkani writers, poets, artists and help them to produce quality literature in our language." said Mr. P N Shanbhag.

The programme started with the Konkani poetry session moderated by Nazreth Neri Taccode. Francis Furtado, Irene Rodrigues, V DSilva, Austin DSouza Prabhu, Prasanna Niddodi, Ancy Paladka, Neri Nazreth presented their poems. George DSouza President of Canara Konkani Association Borivli honoured the poets with the bouquets.

Rev Dr Charles Vas (Inaugurator), Jasmine DCosta (Chief Guest), P N Shanbaug (Guest of Honour), Mrs Elvina DSouza (President), Austin DSouza Prabhu (author of the book), Ancy Paladka (transliterator/Publisher of the book) and Priya Shirley DSouza (Manager of Priya Prakashan) were present at the dias. Mrs Mary DSouza honoured the guests with the bouquets.

Clament Lobo, Denis DSouza and Urban Sequeira participated in the meet the author session. Veronica Noronha compered the programme. Lynett Noronha introduced the author. Ancy Paladka gave an welcome address in the beginning and gave vote of thanks at the end.