Mumbai: Divo Awards for Betty Naz, Fr Ivan D'Souza, J B Moraes

Media Release
 
Mumbai, Aug 2: 'Divo' a Mumbai-based Konkani illustrated weekly will confer this year's 'Divo Puraskar' on eminent Konkani personalities Betty Naz and Fr Ivan D’Souza of Mira Road. The award comprises Rs 50,000, a memento and a citation.

Besides, J B Moraes (79), a popular Konkani poet and writer will be conferred the Divo Lifetime Achievement Award. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 20,000, a citation and a memento.

Betty Naz, Fr Ivan D'Souza

J B Moraes, Marshell Sequeira

Fr Ivan D’Souza (32) has been an ardent Konkani writer and supporter. His articles have appeared in Divo and other periodicals. He is currently the assistant parish priest at St Joseph’s parish, Mira Road. He is also an excellent Konkani preacher.

Betty Naz (66) has been a popular Konkani stage artiste and singer for over 40 years. She has acted in the popular Konkani drama 'Mataro Chorbela', which has seen over 60 shows worldwide.

J B Moraes, founder of Divo, served as editor of the periodical for three years. He was on the editorial board of other Konkani periodicals also.
 
Marshell Sequeira (70) will be presented with the 'Secular Citizen Writer of the Year Award'. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 20,000, a citation and memento.

They have been selected from among several entries by a specially appointed selection panel comprising Francis Fernandes-Cascia (dramatist), Cypri Sampige, (Konkani activist), John G Mendonca (Konkani activist), Kenny Zuzarte, (Konkani artiste) and Lawrence Castelino (Konkani activist, writer).

The award will be presented to the winners at a grand function to be held at Francis Fernandes Cascia stage here later this year.
 
Divo awards have previously been conferred on Ronald Pereira, Molly Lobo, P D’Souza, Eddie Netto, Fr Norbert Fernandes, the late Amiyar Bombay, Fr Pratab Naik SJ, Valley Quadras Ajekar, Cyprian Albuquerque, Concepta Alva, Fr V J Menezes, Wilfred Fernandes, Wilson Olivera, Leo Fernandes, Dr Gerald Pinto, Rons Bantwal, Fr Baptist Pais, Kenny Zuzarthe and Felix D’Souza Malvani.

V D’Silva and Victor Concesso were conferred Divo Lifetime Achievement Awards in the previous years.

Divo, a popular Konkani illustrated weekly with a vast readership in India and abroad, is being published from Mumbai for the last 18 years. It is widely read in Karnataka, Mumbai and in Gulf countries as well. The Divo awards are being given away for the 12th successive year. 'Divo' and 'The Secular Citizen' are sister publications of the same group, published by Lawrence Coelho.