M’lore: Roy Castelino assumes charge as president of Konkani Sahitya Academy

By Staff Correspondent
Pics by John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 6 Mar 2014: Konkani activist Ronald Sebastian Castelino, popularly known as Roy Castelino, assumed charge as president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy at their office here on Thursday March 8.

 

Roy Castelino signed the documents and accepted the charge of the Academy administered by Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy registrar Dr B Devadas Pai.  Roy also greeted other 10 members who were also appointed by the state administration along with him.

 

Roy in his presidential address thanked the people for their love and support towards him, and said, ‘I am overwhelmed with the presence of huge gathering that indeed given fillip to my confidence to take full responsibility  in reaching all denominations of Konkans,’ said Roy.

 

Roy further said, ‘The state administration has done a very good job by appointing 10 members along with me to work for Konkani,’ said Roy.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo said he is sure that Roy Castelino would take Konkani to greater heights.

 

Vishwa Konkani Kendra chairman conveyed best wishes to Roy Castelino in his future endeavors.

 

Jogotik Konknni Songhotton (JKS) general secretary Eric Ozario said, ‘Responsibility is more important than power. The government has elected 10 members along with Roy, which is a good thing,’ said Ozario.

 

 

 

Eric also urged the Academy to print letters in Konkani instead of in other languages.

 

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy former president Kundapur Narayana Karvi said, ‘Today is a great day for us. Roy Castelino has always supported Konkani related programmes, cultural events and so on. People talk a lot about Konkani, but only 1 percent of them actually work for the betterment of Konkani,’ said Narayan.

 

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy past president Kasargod Chinna, conveyed his best wishes to Roy Castelino and said that Roy is the right person for the president’s post.

 

Konkani Prachar Sanchalan newly-elected president Stany Alvares, Melwyn Peris, Ashok Kasargod, Louis Pinto, Fr Francis Rodrigues, Kamalaksha Shet, Dr Chethan S Nayak, Shekar Gowda, Jayaram Narayan, Mamata Kamat, Dr Varija, Yaqoub Ahmed, M M Meeran and others were present.

 

Lourdes Central School teacher Ivan Mascarenhas led group presented prayer song. Dr B Devadas Pai welcomed the gathering. Vitori Karkol compered the programme.