Media Release
Margao, Nov 1: "I consider myself blessed for having had the opportunity to interact closely with Ravindrab, Manoharbab and decades earlier when I was much younger with Bakibab. Conversations with them have deepened my understanding of my own identity. These writers were profoundly connected with the five great elements - as described in the manifesto of the BMT Trust - bhūmi (earth), jala (water),- tejas or agni (fire), wind and sky. And hence their writing illuminates a life lived in harmony with the self and with the planet, an ideal enshrined in the philosophy of the BMT Trust" said Maria Aurora Couto while releasing the book “Righter Ani Fighter – Ravindra Kelekar” here at the Parvatibai Chowgule College on October 30, 2012
She congratulated Batukak Memorial Trust, organization for the exemplary work in various fields, and most specially for publishing the proceedings of this Conference on Ravindrabab – writer and fighter. She further said, Ravindrabab was endowed with the crusading zeal of social reformers. He was frank, forthright and fearless and so to call him writer and fighter is entirely apt. In his speech when accepting the Fellowship of the Sahitya Akademi he did mention the 17th Century French philosopher Voltaire. But this fighter’s vision is tempered by Buddhist teaching and Gandhian thought.
She also congratulated the Faculty of Languages and Literature of Chowgule College for holding discussions on a vital dimension of education today: ‘Pedagogy in the Study of Literature and Language in the Age of Multiculturalism’ as such pedagogy helps create politically aware members of the community as well as literary critics. It enhances cultural awareness and openness to cultural pluralism.
She emphasized that critical pedagogy allows students to speak with greater authority because they are drawing on knowledge they already possess. While discussing creative assignments, moreover, teachers and students can create a dialogue in which they both learn about the issues they mutually face. At the same time, teachers can help students to find their own voices and their own capacity for action. In this mode, students generate questions and determine the direction of their studies, while teachers participate as equal, fellow members of their shared community. Teaching of literature and language in today’s multicultural world offers immense challenges and opportunities for creative interaction in the class room. The study of literature humanizes and in today’s world we need to open up the universe a little more, to break down barriers and borders – but with our feet firmly grounded. She concluded by saying private worlds have crumbled in the aftermath of wars and conflicts, the movement of populations and exile. Around us in India we witness a social churning which should create an awareness of our common humanity.
Dr. Anand Patil explained the meaning of Batukak and congratulated the trustees for coming forward to publish a book of academic nature which is a net edition to Konkani Literature.
In the beginning Dr. Gunaji Desai spoke on the importance and the relevance of the book to the researchers, teachers, student community and the general readers in particular. The book has an ISBN number which will give a representation for this book at the national level. The order for the book may be placed at bmtgoa@rediffmail.com
The contributors present for the function Dr. Harishchandra Nagvenkar, Damodar Mauzo, Dr. Madhavi Sardesai, Dr. Vidhya Prabhudesai, Dr. Ramita Gurav, Dr. Lata Shirodkar, Bhushan Bhave, Hanumant Chopdekar and Rakhi Amonkar were given mementoes and a copy of book.
Hanumat Chopdekar compeered the function and Dr. Om Prakash Tripathi proposed vote of thanks.
The function was attended by Konkani writers and prominent citizens from Margao along with the teachers from various colleges who participated and presented their papers in the seminar organized by the Faculty of Languages and Literature.
Principal Dr. R.V. Gaonkar was present during the occasion.