Mumbai: Prestigious ‘Divo Puraskar 2011’ Declared

Media Release

• Mrs. Betty Naz and Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza OCD Share the Puraskar
• DIVO Life-time Achievement Award Goes to J. B. Moraes
• Marshall Sequeira Gets ‘The Secular Citizen Writer Of The Year’ Award

 

Mumbai, 01 Aug 2012: This years Prestigious ‘Divo Puraskar 2011’, a Rs. 50,000 Cash Award Goes to two Konkani eminent figures all from Mumbai, Mrs. Betty Naz and Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza OCD, Mira Road, Mumbai. The award has been shared equally among the two. The cash award will be presented along with ‘Mann Potr’ and Memento.

 

Rev. Fr. Ivan D’Souza OCD, (32) has been an ardent Konkani writer and supporter, his articles have appeared in DIVO Konkani Weekly and other periodicals. Currently he  is serving as an Assistant to parish priest at St. Joseph’s Church, Mira Road. He is also an excellent Konkani Preacher.

 

Mrs. Betty Naz (66) is a popular Konkani stage artiste and singer for over 40 years. She acted in the ‘Matharo Chorbela’ Konkani drama which completed 60 shows world-wide.

 

This years’ ‘DIVO Life- Time Achievement Award’ goes to Mr. J. B. Moraes (79), A popular Konkani poet and writer. The award carries a cash amount of Rs. 20,000 , ‘Man Potr” and Memento.

 

‘The Secular Citizen Writer Of The Year’ award goes to Mr. Marshell Sequeira (70). The award caries a cash amount of Rs. 20,000, ‘Citation’ and Memento.

 

They have been selected from the several entries received earlier, by a specially appointed selection panel comprising Mr. Francis Fernandes-Cascia (Dramatist), Mr. Cypri Sampige, (Konkani Activist), Mr. John G. Mendonca (Konkani Activist), Mr. Kenny Zuzarth, (Konkani Artiste) and Mr. Lawrence Castellinho (Konkani Activist, Writer). Selection of candidates for the award is made on the basis of those who have made excellent contribution towards Konkani and the community.

 

   
Marcell Sequeira, Lawrence Castelinho, Fr Ivan DSouza

 

   
Cypri Sampige, Kenny Zuzarth, Francis Fernandes Cascia

 

   
John G Mendonca, J B Moraes, betty Naz

 

Mr. J. B. Moraes is welknown Konkani Poet and writer. He was the founder editor of DIVO and edited the periodical for three years. He was on the editorial board of other Konkani periodicals too.

 

The cash amount of Rs. 50,000 is raised by reserving a portion of advertisement revenue in the ‘Divo Mt. Mary Special Issue’ published during 2nd week of September . The award will be presented to the winners at a grand function which will be held at specially decorated ‘Francis Fernandes Cascia Matov’ in Mumbai later this year. The award presentation ceremony also includes Konkani Cultural items by talented youth of Mumbai in Konkani, English, Hindi etc.

 

The earlier award winners are Ronald Pereira, Mrs. Molly Lobo, Late P. D’Souza, Eddie Netto, Rev. Fr. Norbert Fernandes, Late Amiyar Bombay, Rev. Fr. Pratap Naik S.J., Valley Quadras Ajekar, Cyprian Albuquerque, Mrs. Concepta Alva, Rev. Fr. V. J. Menezes, Wilfred Fernandes, Wilson Olivera, Leo Fernandes, Dr. Gerald Pinto, Rons Bantwal, Rev. Fr Baptist Pais, SVD; Mr. Kenny Zuzarth and Felix D’Souza – Malwani.

 

The earlier recepents of ’DIVO Life-time Achievement Award’ are Mr. V. D. Silva and Mr. Victor Concesso.

 

‘Divo’, a popular Illustrated Konkani Weekly having vast readership nationwide as well as worldwide and is published from Mumbai since eithteen years in Kannada script and is widely read in Karnataka, Mumbai and in Gulf countries as well. The award of this nature is being given successively for the twelth year in continuity.

 

‘Divo’ and ’The Secular Citizen’ are sister publications of the same group published by Lawrence Coelho.