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Mangaluru: Value of mother tongue emphasized at 'Konkani Manyata Divas' in Valencia

  •   Mon, Aug 21 2017 12:15:18 AM

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Aug 20: Parishioners of Valencia here on Sunday August 20 celebrated the 25th 'Konkani Manyata Divas' at Golden Jubilee hall, Valencia. The day marks the inclusion of Konkani language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Addressing the gathering, parish priest of Valencia Fr James D'Souza said, "In the current world learning many languages is an advantage. But at the same time, we should never forget our mother tongue. Our mother tongue unites us and bind us together. If everyone thinks this way, Konkani will flourish automatically.

"Mother tongue is not just a language. It is a feeling. It is filled with the love and soul of the motherland. It is the face of our culture and frame of our society. So we should never hesitate to speak our language. Our ancestors did a lot to enhance the richness of mother tongue. Today this responsibility is on us. We should carry forward their work and pass it on to the next generation," he said.

"Every year we celebrate Konkani Manyata Divas on August 20 to commemorate the day it was added in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. This day makes us proud. We are the protectors and ambassadors of our language. Protection and propagation should be done together," he added.

Founder of Daijiworld Walter Nandalike who attended the programme as chief guest said, "Konkani language has a history of two thousand years and it still lives with us. Various writers, singers, artistes and scholars have done a lot to protect this language. But the major share goes to the our religious leaders. They have done a wonderful job in promoting the Konkani language and passing it on through the generations. They are still selflessly engaged in this task. We the Konkani speaking people should support them in this mission."

Well-known Konkani writer C G S Taccode, Youth Congress president of South constituency Meryl Rego, community leader Steevan Rodrigues, dancer Nikki Pinto, and cine actress Sweeny D'Souza were felicitated by dignitaries.

Assistant parish priest Fr Naveen Pinto, resident priest Fr Arun Lobo, parish council vice-president Anil Lobo, secretary Lizzy Pinto were present on the dais.

Prior to the stage programme various cultural programmes were performed by the parishioners.
  

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Comment on this article

  • mariettedsouza, valencia

    Mon, Aug 21 2017

    Well done Konkani manyata divas was grand. Lot of importance was given to speak and write in kokani.we feel comfortable when we smear and hear our loan mother tongue.congrats to the organisers for their stupendous efforts.

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  • Max and Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore, Houston/Dallas, texas

    Mon, Aug 21 2017

    We are happy to note that August 20 is commemorated as "Konkany Manyata Divas" in Valencia Mangalore. This is a good news indeed. It is nice to note that we as a Parish are encouraging the use of Konkany language, wherever and whenever possible. Use of language as our "Mother Tongue" creates a sense of pride and also an opportunity to display our ancestral roots and also a spirit of patriotism. We had no idea that Konkany, as one of the Indian languages, has a history of 2000 years. We would like to study a little further on the history and find out little bit more in order share that info with many of our American friends.

    Just this week, we took part in the India's Independence Day celebration in Dallas as well as in Houston. It was amazing to witness so much of use of different Indian languages, dances and entertainments which is a phenomenal characteristics for many Americans, including the respective local Mayors to witness. Use of effective languages throughout India and abroad keep Indians always on a higher pedestal of success in all their pursuits in life. All the local Indian languages have remained safe mainly because Indians have also preserved their attachment for English as well as Hindi language. Languages connect people whoever they are, and also allow people to retain their cultural values in all their daily mind-set of life.

    Thank you, Valencia Parish, for your initiatives in promoting the Konkany language. Whenever we visit Mangalore, we love to attend the 7 am Sunday liturgical services, and we enjoy the beautiful voices reciting all the hymns and prayers in Konkany language.

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  • Roshan D Souza, Yekkur/Kuwait

    Mon, Aug 21 2017

    Congrats Sweeny D Souza

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  • Elwyn Goveas, Valencia

    Mon, Aug 21 2017

    Our mother tongue KONKANI will be always be close to our heart and nothing can replace it.We should be very patriotic about and our konkani and we ought to be.I still fail to understand why our people speculate on english VS their mother tongue.Superb programme.Mind blowing dance by our neighbours Veera,Zeena,Molly pinto,Aina,Leena,Diana and all of them.Pork and muttly really at its very best though it was raining heavily .WELL DONE

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  • Dr Mohan Prabhu, LL.D, QC, Mangalore (Kankanady)/Ottawa, Canada

    Mon, Aug 21 2017

    Konkani is not only our pride and joy, it is our inheritance passed on to us from thousands of years and hundred generations. It is heartening to read that our mother tongue is living and thriving and I only hope that future generations will continue to nurture it and pay homage to our inheritance. Sadly, there are many who with a little bit of knowledge of English pretend they do not understand their mother tongue. I remember a story, often repeated in some quarters, that a young man had gone abroad for just a few years and returned to Mangalore and would only speak in English to his parents, whereupon when the son asked for warm water for his bath, the father had provided really hot water which on pouring on his body, he cried "ye mojea deva!" He got the message.
    I am happy to say that I am not one of those even after living in the UK and Canada for over 50 years my wife and I often speak in Konkani, and our adult children have come to understand a little.

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