By Daijiworld News Network - Dubai

Dubai, Feb 19: A charismatic youth leader, a selfless social worker and the most vocal Konkani activist - Dayan D’Souza, will be honoured with ‘Daiji Vavradi Puroskar’ during the 7th Daiji Anniversary.

Hemacharya, the present convener of Daiji Dubai made this surprise announcement while speaking to Daijiworld.com  correspondent on Sunday.

The award will consist of a citation and a golden plaque with ‘Daiji Vavradi’ inscription, in recognition of Dayan’s invaluable services to the society over the past several years.
   
“There is no better person than Dayan to deserve this first and highest award instituted for a ‘Konkani Activist,” said Hemacharya.

Felix Lobo, a great Konkani activist himself and an entrepreneur based in Doha Qatar will confer this award on Dayan. 

Daiji Vavradi Puroskar is the second award to be introduced by Daiji Dubai after the prestigious ‘Daiji Sahitya Puroskar’ given  every year to a Konkani literary luminary in recognition of a long-standing service to literature. Well-known Konkani novelist Victor Rodrigues is the recipient of this year’s award.

Both these awards will be presented during a glittering ceremony on April 21, 2006, in the Emirates English Speaking School Auditorium, opposite Safa Park gate No 1.

‘Mandd Sobhann’ the well-known cultural troupe led by Vishwa Konkani Kala Ratn, Eric Ozario, a ‘Gumttam’ session and a short skit presented by Daiji Rang Mandir will be the other attractions of the Daiji Anniversary, which is attended by a discerning audience every year.  

The entry passes for the event are available with the Daiji members and will be online very soon.

“You will get to hear about more ‘special attractions’ of our event as we march closer to the day” – concluded Hemacharya, in excitement and optimism-filled tone.

Brief Profile of Dayan D’Souza

Courtesy: Tinter / Maibhas.com

Henry Dayan D'Souza is the second child of the seven issues of the late Maurice and Benedicta D'Souza, hailing from Mukamar, in Shirva varado. After his secondary education at St Joseph's School, Belman, Dayan completed his graduation at St Aloysius College, Mangalore.  As a youth, Dayan was the most charming leader and a highly talented Konkani activist. Besides Christian Catholic forums, he was equally active on platforms of other religions and languages such as Kannada and Tulu. He was also active in other associations such as Lions Club and other national-level political parties. Thus, he was recognized as one of the charismatic leaders in the region at an early stage of his life.

In Mukamar, the parish of his birth and upbringing, Dayan was responsible in establishing the branches of Diocesan-level associations such as CYM and the Catholic Sabha.  He became the president of ‘Shirva Varado Yuvazonn’ in 1982 and went on to lead the prestigious Central council of Catholic Youth Movement (CYM) at the Bishop’s House in 1987.  Later on, during his employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he was elected as the president of Saudi Konkani Association (SKAR). 

No one would deny the fact that Dayan was instrumental in bringing together all the Konkani writers living in the UAE, under one unbrella thus forming a forum of Konkani writers, which later on came to be called as ‘Daiji Dubai’ and he was consistently elected its convener for six years.  Besides, Dayan also represents ‘Mandd Sobhann’ as its official representative in the Middle East region. At present he is also the convener of Daiji Rang Mandir, the cultural wing of Daiji Dubai, dedicated to the welfare of stage and performing arts.
 
As a social activist, Dayan has contributed his time and energy towards number of social causes and contributed immensely to the society. He has written, directed and acted in a number of Konkani, Tulu and Kannada plays, the most recent being ‘Kuvalleachi Vaal’ and ‘Tho Mhaka Naka’ staged by Daiji Duabi and Mangalore Konkans respectively.

Dayan is also an accomplished Konkani writer, a columnist who has many short stories, poems and humorous writings to his credit. He regularly contributes to various konkani journals without any devoid or discrimination. He recognizes only one voice that is the voice of his mother tongue, Konkani.

Dayan D’Souza is also a versatile speaker, and his words are always filled with humour and inspiration.

Despite his popularity and unrivaled talents, Dayan is a very simple person at heart and a loving human being. He is married to Lavina Aranha of Moodbelle, and they have two lovely girls – Delvina and Denica.