Pics: Meryick D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)

Mangalore, Jul 27: Eminent Konkani writer Cyril G Sequeira, popularly known as C G S Taccode, best known for his humour writings, was conferred this year's 'Konkani Kutam Award', instituted by Konkani Kutam Bahrain, in a ceremony held at St Sebastian Hall, Bendore here on Saturday July 26.

The Award was presented to C G S Taccode by president of Goa Konkani Academy Pundalik Naik.

Pundalik Naik in his presidential address said, "Konkani is a unique language spoken by people of three religions and written in five scripts. Hence it is not limited to a particular region, it has in fact united people of different religions.

"A true writer is one who keeps writing until his last breath. A person needs to continue writing, awards will automatically follow. All writers of Konkani should follow the writings of C G S," he said, congratulating C G S.

Lauding the efforts of Konkani Kutam, he said, "People from this region go Gulf countries to earn their daily bread. It is noteworthy that members of the Konkani Kutam have not forgotten their mother tongue. Their efforts in preserving and promoting the language are appreciable."

Acknowledging the honour, C G S Taccode said, "My only intention is to laugh and make others laugh through my writings."

Quoting the words of legendary Konkani singer the late Wilfy Rebimbus, he said, "Life is short. We should live happily and make others happy.

"Today we have forgotten to smile in our busy schedules. We smile only in front of the photographer and even though we see our dear ones we just give an obligatory smile. We should realize the importance of laughter in our life," he said.

Columnist and professor of Kannanda Dr Narendra Rai Derla explained the need to uphold the human values in this society.

"Today our district is getting notorious for moral policing. Communal hatred is being spread. Hence the works of a writer become relevant and important as he/she has an opportunity to spread good in society," he said.

Eminent Konkani writers Eddie Netto and Titus Noronha also spoke on the occasion.

Local convener of Konkani Kutam Richard Moras who delivered the keynote address explained the motive behind the institution of the Konkani Kutam Award.

Vittori Karkal compered the event while Leslie Rego read out the citation.

MLA of Mangalore South constituency J R Lobo, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino, Eric Ozario, Stany Alvares, Fr Mark Walder and others were present.

The Konkani Kutam Bahrain Award was constituted in the year 2002 and is given to eminent writers of Konkani who have rendered remarkable contribution to Konkani literature.