Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (SM)
Porvorim Oct 15: Thomas Stephens Konkani Kendr (TSKK) has chosen veteran Konkani writer Bernardino Evaristo Mendes for the Antonio Pereira Konkani Puroskar (APKP) for the year 2007.
He has been chosen for his valuable contribution to Konkani prose and poetry. The award consists of a shawl, memento and a cheque of Rs 25,000.
The award will be conferred on him by Fr Antimo Gomes, the parish priest of Panaji Church at a public function which will be held at Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Alto- Porvorim on Thursday October 25 at 5 pm.
Bernardino Mendes was born at Assonora, Bardes on May 20, 1920 in a farmer's family. He studied for four years in the Rachol seminary but had to leave it owing to financial problems. He completed his high school at Aldona. He took his Civil Engineer's degree at AMIET. He joined the Indian Naval Dockyard at Mumbai. He became the foreman.
In 1977 he returned to Tivim. He was an active member of Goan's Peoples Party. In association with the late George Vaz, he was the editor and publisher of Konkani periodical "Porjecho Ixtt". He actively took part in Goa's struggle for liberation for which he was even forbidden by the Portuguese to enter Goa.
As a freelance journalist he contributed regularly to Sot, Divtti, Goan Review, Gulab, Porjecho Ixtt, The Goa Times, Cine Times, Vavraddeancho Ixtt, etc. He has to his credit 23 Konknni books. His first book Onondvont Udent was published in 1945.
Some of his other books are Goenchem Gaian (1958), Goenchem Git (1961), Atmeachem Songit (1980), Atmeachem Git (1981), Titabli (1992), Mog Mhozo Vixal (1961), Goencheo Supul'leo Kannio (1959), Uzot (1964), Sorginchem Gaian (1969), Bandnni Monxeachi (1979), Krishnnachem Git (1979), Atmeacho Uzvadd (1981), Sot Tujea Atmeachem(1982), Sompurn Vicharanchem Dhei (1982), Porzollit Chintnecho Mukutt (1981), Monticho Uzvadd (1982), Konkani Sahitik Nibondh (1983), Totvgineanik Sahitya (1988), Fuddarachem Darshan (1994), Asa Tuka Adhar ani Bhorvanso (1995). Apart from this his several Konknni programmes are broadcast from All India Radio Mumbai and Goa.
He received an award from Konkani Kendr, Mapusa in 1980. He also received a prize from Ministry of Information and Broadcast in 1963. He learned Devanagari script and also published his books in Devanagari. He was influenced by the literature of theosophical society.
His hobbies included playing violin, listening to western classical music and gardening. He was the member of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Mumbai in which he actively participated. He spent most of his earnings on books. On Sundays and during holidays he used to sell Konknni books all over Mumbai. He got married in 1952 to Aninha Tito Fonseca and had 2 daughters and one son. One of his daughters is a principal of Sophia College, Mumbai and his other daughter and son both are teachers. At present he lives in Tivim, Goa.