Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Jun 7: Xavier Center of Historical Research (XCHR), Goa, and Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation on Friday June 6 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to digitize the historical documents of Mhamai Kamat Family pertaining to 17-18th century.

Fr Savio Abreu, director of XCHR and Basti Vaman Shenoy, president of World Konkani Center, signed the MoU.

After signing the MoU, Fr Abreu told the gathering, "It is an agreement between two institutions to preserve the old manuscripts and documents. Information that is gathered and research should be disseminated among the general public. Research should reach all sections of the people instead of being as kept as books on shelves.

"Digitization helps provide access to works from across the world. Knowledge should be openly accessible and it should empower people. Documents of Mhamai Kamat family, which are available in almost 7 languages, most of them in old Kannada, will be brought to light through digitization," he said.

Fr Denzil Lobo, rector of St Aloysius Institution, said, "Jesuits are credited for their skills in managing educational institutions throughout the world. We have a history dating back to 450 years. Principles of documentation evolved after the arrival of the printing machine in India."

Ramdas Kamath, chairman of Vishwa Konkani Scholarship Fund presided over the programme.

Basti Vamn Shenoy, welcomed the gathering. Guru Baliga compered the event. Pradeep G Pai, trustee, and Venkatesh Baliga, secretary were present.