Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Aug 26: "We should not take our mother tongue for granted. I learnt Konkani, the mother tongue of my parents, in Mangaluru, where we used to go every year. My parents always insisted on speaking Konkani with my grandparents. That is how I learnt Konkani. I am deeply aware of the importance of mother tongue," said Dr Snehal A Pinto, director, Ryan Group of Institutions. 

She was speaking as the chief guest at the celebration of the 82nd anniversary of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra and the 32nd Konkani Manyata Divas organized by Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra at Saraswati Vidya Mandir high school auditorium in Mahim West on Sunday evening.

President of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Albert W D’Souza, Dr Suhas Pednekar, former vice-chancellor of Mumbai University, was the guest of honor at the event. Vice president Adv Pius Vas, chairman Henry Lobo, Hon secretary Lawrence D'Souza Kamani, joint secretary John R Pereira and honorary treasurer Malwin Fernandes were present. The chief guest gave away prizes to the winners of the competitions and the guests of honor presented mementos.

Speaking on the occasion, Suhas Pednekar said, "Konkani is a beautiful language and its beauty is known all over the world. The language is ethnic. Hence, parents should take initiative to teach mother tongue to their children. He said that it is necessary to spread our mother tongues to the future generations through these types programmes.

Albert W D'Souza said that languages are the identity of ethnicity. Languages that are developed as a social language can never fade away. Konkani is a literary language and it is commendable that the Konkani language has got the recognition of its originality in spite of other languages and speakers among us. Therefore, Konkani’s are fortunate to have the status of an independent language. Konkani is included in the eighth schedule of the constitution of India and is the official language of the country. As a result of the continuous movement of Konkani, it has become an official language.

Citizen Credit Co-Operative Bank Ltd chairman Federic Castelino, vice chairperson Priscilla W Buthello, veteran dramatist Francis Fernandes Cascia, veteran journalists Lawrence Covello, Suzan Covello, Gregory D'Souza of CCCI, Charles D'Cunha Borivali, Martin D'Souza, Sunita Suares and Pascal Lobo were honored with flowers and mementos by the president.

Joint secretary Pascal Lobo, joint treasurer Walter D'Souza Jerimeri, executive committee member Beatrice N Fernandes and a large number of Konkani speakers were present. As part of the cultural programme, the children performed dance, songs, skits and mimes.

In the beginning with the silent prayer to the departed well wishers and donors of the mandals. Leo Fernandes welcomed the gathering. Lawrence D'Souza Kamani gave information about Konkani Recognition Day. Pius Vas and Henry Lobo introduced the guests. Sunita Suares, Lavina Monteiro, Martina Rodrigues and Anita Cardoza honored the guests with bouquets and mementos. Cyril Castelino compered the programme and introduced the winners. Vote of thanks Leo Fernandes.