Paul Moras – New president of Konkani Writers Forum , Karnataka (R)

Media Release

Mangalore, 14 August 2010: The 14th Annual General Body Meeting and Election to the New Managing Committee of Konkani Writers Forum , Karnataka ®  was held here in Don Bosco Mini Hall. The Meeting was about to start at 10.00 a.m but postponed by 15 minutes for want of Quorum.

After the Breakfast , Genernal Secretary,  Mr. Dolphy Fredrick Lobo,  kick started the meeting evoking the prayers which  followed by Silent Tribute to the members who left for heavenly abode in the past year by  President Mr. Marcel M D’Souza.
The Meeting  gave official  nod to the minutes of 13th Annual General Body Meeting read out by Secretary Mr. Dolphy Fredrick  Lobo and approved Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended on 31st March 2010 presented by Treasurer J F D’Souza . The Meeting also appointed the  Auditors for the next year  fixed their  remuneration.

Before election,   Konkani Kutam, Bahrain fame , Mr. Richard Moras felicitated Forum members who were present at the meeting , Dr. Edward L Nazareth and Mr. Cyril G Sequiera for bagging Sandesha Award and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Book Award. Mr. Vallya Vogga , Mr. M P Rodrigues  and Mr. Lancy Pinto Nayak were absent for felicitation.

After a gap of several years Nominations to various posts of office bearers were filed in the history of Konkani Writers Forum , Karnataka ® . Mr. Marcel M D ‘Souza ( President ) , Rev. Dr. Pius Fidelies Pinto ( Vice President )  and Executive Committee Member Mr. Paul Moras had filed the nominations  for the post of President and Dr. Edward L Nazareth had filed his nomination for the post of Secretary. In spite of some members objection to the point that ,  Rev. Dr. Pius Fidelis Pinto is not present at the meeting and he constantly lives outside India and if elected will not  be available for  Forum’s work , the Secretary Mr. Dolphy Fredrick Lobo , who was  Election Officer himself  till then , declared Election and  Ms. Judith Mascarenhas was appointed Election Officer. For sometimes chaos prevailed and in the process  Mr. Marcel M D’Souza withdraw his nomination. In the secrete ballot   Mr. Paul Moras won the election with a sound margin over Rev. Dr. Pius Fidelis Pinto. As  soon as Mr. Paul Moras announced winner against Rev. Dr. Pius Fidelies Pinto ,  Dr. Edward L Nazareth withdraw his nomination  for the post of General Secretary.

Later following members were elected unanimously:

Mr. Victor Mathias ( Vithori Karkal ) – Vice President
Mrs. Alice Frenandes ( Shalini Valencia ) – Vice President
Mr. Henry Mendonca ( H M Pernal ) – General Secretary
Mr. Tony Ferros ( Sub Editor , Raknno )  –  Joint Secretary
Mr. Joachim Pinto ( Pinto Vamanjur – Daijiworld Weekly  ) – Treasurer
Mr. Marcel M D’souza – Executive Committee Member
Mrs. Gladys Rego - Executive Committee Member
Mr. John A Monis ( Editor , Dirvem )-   Executive Committee Member
Mr.  Santosh Alwyn  Lobo ( Santhu Omzoor – Editor Daivik Amruth , Sub Editor Dirvem   ) - Executive Committee Member
Mr. Praveen Tauro ( Daijiworld.com) - Executive Committee Member

Outgoing President Mr. Marcel M D’Souza and Secretary Mr. Dolphy Fredrick Lobo handed over the charge to New President Mr. Paul Moras and New General Secretary  H M Pernal.

Paul Moras / President

Paul Moras is a well known organizer and researcher and has three books to his credit about Konkani movement. Konkani Chalvol (2002) Jagaran ( 2005) and Mogrem Karan ( 2008). He served as President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal,  from 1989 to 1993 , All India Konkani Parishad , from 2006 to 2008 , Lions Club Kulshekar from 1994 to 1995 , Shanthi Club , Bajjodi from 1987 too 1990  , as  Founder President of Padua College Alumini Associationfrom 2000 to 2001 , Catholic Sabha , Derebail from 2000 to 2001, and as  Honaray President of Mithra Vrunda , Kapikad  from 1996 to 2002.

H M Pernal / General Secretary

Well known critic and poet  Henry Mendonca hailing from Pernal of Udupi District   is a commerce graduate and writing  in konkani since last 25 years. He is a short story writer , feature writer ,  columnist and thinker.  He has Toal Four books to his credit . Chalyank Chatrai ( 1999 ) Kaydhyacho Kavitha ( 2004) Bhamunachem Chedum ( 2006 ) are his poetry anthologies and Devaak Sodullo Pado ( 2002) is collection of Short Stories.

Pinto Vamanjur / Treasurer

Joachim Pinto of Vamanjur is known in Konkani as Pinto Vamanjur. He is a gifted artist , graphic designer and prolific feature writer. He has a vast experience in Konakani , Kannada and English media and worked as a senior illustrator cum graphic designer in Janavahini , Kannada daily , as Senior Sub Editor in Raknno Weekly for several years and now working as a graphic designer in Daijiworld Weekly. He is actively involved in Lions Club activities too.