Goa Chief Minister Shri Digamber Kamat opening the P. Dayanana Pai & P. Satish Pai
Vishwa Konkani Kendra in Mangalore on January 17, 2009. Also seen in the photo (from l to r)
are
Shri P Dayanand Pai, former Goa CM Luizinho Faleiro, CM's wife Smt Asha Kamat,
Corporation Bank Chairman & Managing Director, Shri J.M. Garg, Pratisthan President
Shri Basti Vaman Shenoy and Pratisthan vice-president and Chairman, Construction
Committee, Shri M. Raghunath Shet.
Photo courtesy: mangalorean.com
Vishwa Konkani Kendra opens
Mangalore: Goa Chief Minister Shri Digambar Kamat inaugurated the P. Dayanada Pai and P. Satish Pai Vishwa Konkani Kendra (World Konkani Centre) at Konkani Gaon in Shakthinagar, Mangalore, today. He termed the centre a historical gift to Konkanis all over the world.
Kamat said that interstate cultural exchanges should be intensified to make the cultural ties more prominent between the states that use the same language for communications and culture.
He said the state of Goa has a sentimental attachment with Karnataka particularly in matters of language and culture. This bondage should be further strengthened by inter state exchange of scholars and researchers in language and culture.
The Centre is the brain child of "Konkani Sardar" Basti Vaman Shenoy, the president of the Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Pratisthan (Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation).
Kamat felicitated Jnanpith Award winner and Padmabhushan Shri Ravindra Kelekar and also handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to the Pratisthan, which was received by Shri R.V. Deshpande, the Chairman Emeritus. Kamat also released the Konkani translation of a book on Mahakavi Govinda Pai, rendered by eminent writer and Vishwa Konkani Sahitya Academy member Smt Sunithabai from Kochi, Kerala.
Shri Kamat said that the original Konkani-speaking people who left Goa -- the Konkani "kular" -- following the Portuguese persecution and settled down mainly across the Karnataka coastline, have not forgotten their language. But at the same time, they had love for Karnataka also, he observed.
Shri Kamat hailed the public sector banks, Corporation Bank and Canara Bank, for their contribution to the Konkani cause. He said these banks had not forgotten their social obligations, unlike other banks who were interested in only making profits.
Former Goa chief minister, Shri Luizinho Faleiro, launched "Vishwa Konkani", the official website of the Pratisthan, which was designed by Shri Shrikant N. Shenoy, journalist and web designer. Faliero said the internet is one means which will bring work and activities of the Pratisthan closer to the millions of Konkani speaking population the world over.
Shri Deshpande, who presided over the function, said that the centre would help Konkani people to give their best to the field of Konkani literature and language.
The P. Dayanand Pai & P. Satish Pai Vishwa Konkani Kendra (World Konkani Centre) as it looks
under illumination. Photo courtesy: manglorean.com
Managing Editor of "Taranga", a leading Kannada weekly, Smt Sandhya Pai, and Shri S.M. Syed Khaleel, a Dubai-based entrepreneur originally from Bhatkal, were the guests of honour. Smt Pai released the coffee-table nook, 'World Konkani Centre - A Vision'.
Pratisthan president Shri Basti Vaman Shenoy president welcomed the gathering while vice president Shri M. Raghunath Shet presented a report on the project. Designed on a true Konkani village, the Konkani Gaon is a blend of traditional and modern styling. Like all modern convention centres, the Vishwa Konkani Centre will also have modern facilities like the air conditioned mini convention hall, seminar halls, research facilities, audio visual laboratory, and documentation centre.
Earlier, the dignitaries and others attending the function stood up in a two-minute silence salute to the late President of the Pratisthan, Shri K.K. Pai, who died recently. Shri Pai's two daughters, who are based in the U.S., were also present.
Among others who attended the glittering function were Bangalore-based entrepreneur brothers and philanthropists, Shri P. Dayanand Pai and Shri Satish Pai, Shri Ronald Colaco, Shri S.M. Syed Khaleel, Corporation Bank Chairman & Managing Director Shri J.M. Garg, Father Eric Crasta, Mysore-based Shri M. Jagannath Shenoy, and Shri Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy, Pratisthan treasurer.
Shri Venkatesh Baliga, secretary of the Pratisthan, proposed the vote of thanks.
READ MORE: