Stage is set for a day’s Konkani workshop at Bolkunje on Nov 2
Daijiworld Media Network — Mangalore
Mangalore, Oct 31: “All preparations are underway for day-long Konkani workshop - ‘Aaj Ami Konkani Ulovyam’ at Balkunje,” - according to information provided by workshop director, Melvyn Rodrigues, during a meeting of organizers, volunteers and resource persons at St Paul’s Church Hall, Thursday, Oct 30.
“Important stations have been marked, pathways, households, important trees have been identified in order to brief their names, utility, and their cultural and medicinal proprieties to the students” he said. Many resource persons have been invited from different Konkani-speaking communities to brief the children in their respective dialect.
Children as part of this workshop will be taken around the traditional rural houses, plantations, fields, jungles, water streams, and they will be briefed about Konkani culture and heritage, occupations, names of different living species and their uniqueness. At the end of a trekking expedition, the participants will be involved in debate, quiz, and other entertainment segments.
The workshop being held on Sunday, Nov 2 near Balkunje Church compound has been organized by the India Unit of Daiji Dubai, the forum of Konkani writers, in association with Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy and Konkani speaking community of Balkunje and the neighbouring areas of Udupi district.
File Photo of last year's programme at Kinnigoli
“About 100 Konkani students studying in VI- X standard will participate in the day long workshop. Students will be served breakfast, lunch, refreshments, apart from provision of transport - free of cost.” – informed programme administrator, Hemacharya.
Further he said that, the participants will receive prizes and certificates. “Although a nominal entry fee of Rs 100 was prescribed earlier, in view of a donor from Dubai volunteering to meet this fees for 100 participants, the fee has been waived.”
However, he has urged the participants to come with a set of spare clothes, sun caps and dressed in simple attire and footwear as they are expected to walk around the rural terrain. Writing note pads and pens will be provided as the students will be asked to note down important aspects during their trekking experience. Students will also be rewarded for extra efforts and performances.
Transport arrangement has been made for the students from Mangalore city; the bus will leave from Kankanady bus stand sharp at 8.00 am, and travel through Bondel, Kavoor, Bajpe, Kinnigoli, Kirem to Balkunje.
The workshop will be inaugurated in a traditional way at 9.30 am by Fr Michael D’Silva, parish priest, St Paul Church, Balkunje, Fr Victor D’Souza, parish priest, St Theresa Church Mukamar accompanied by other community leaders.
A valedictory programme will be held in the evening in which Roy Castelino, president, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Rev Fr Michael D’Silva, Prof K G Mallya, Retired Banker and well-known senior Konkani writer and daiji dubai members will be present. Senior Konkani writer and activist Paul D’Souza Balkunje will be accorded public felicitation on the occasion.
Those who wish to enroll their names may contact, Anna Mascarenhas, Mob 09663439318, by Saturday, November 1, as very few seats are available for the students from Mangalore city.