Media Release
Margao, Dec 14: “Konkani is the mother tongue of Goa and is kept alive by the Konkani people. What we breathe from mother earth is our language and that language is Konkani. We need to work unitedly to consolidate the bond and only then the language will thrive. That the Devnagari script is officially lawful does not mean that the Roman script is not recognised. His government will always support the growth of Konkani in Roman script. If the Konknniwadis irrespective of the script, work unitedly then Konkani will progress and prosper,” Govind Gaude, Goa’s minister for art and culture said.
He also assured total support of the government for Konkani. Gaude was the chief guest at the annual ‘Dalgado Awards 2017’ ceremony organised by Dalgado Konknni Akademi at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Sahitya Akademy Award winner, Damodar Mauzo, president of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, Tomazinho Cardozo, secretary Vincy Quadros and treasurer Celso Fernandes as well as the six award winners were present on the dais with the chief guest.
Gaude presented the awards to this year’s six winners. The winners were Jess Fernandes (Dalgado Literature Award), Premanand A Lotlikar (Dalgado Konknni Service Award), John Claro Fernandes (Dalgado Cultural Award), Lourence Fernandes (Joel D’Souza Heritage Award), Michael Gracias (Fr Freddy J Da Costa Journalism Award) and Victor Hugo Gomes of ‘Goa Chitra’ (Dalgado Konknni Institution Award).
Speaking further, minister Gaude said, "For Konkani to be developed, it is paramount that everyone from the Devnagari and Roman scripts to work together. He called for both the camps to contribute wholeheartedly without differentiating the language and the script.
"Literature is the mirror of society. Literature performs the significant work of directing society at a time when thinking power of the common man sojourns. It is because of literature that society remains in the right direction at all times. Literature knows nothing except humanity. Those who work for literature and art need to be respected. Goa is known for its art and culture and we need to work to preserve it.
"Winners should not be carried away, but the wards in reality should work as a motivating factor to work with vigour for the development of the language," said Damodar Mauzo while speaking as guest of honour for the ceremony. "The vision of writers needs to widen. It is important to read from other literatures as that helps in knowing where one stands. If the writer feels that his standard is low then he needs to take all steps to raise it. Konkani lovers need to unitedly face the challenges encountered by the language at all levels. The work for Konkani is not over nor is the future for Konkani shining brightly. That is precisely why we need to work together and only then victory will be ours."
President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi in his welcome speech said that if schools were given permission to teach Konkani in Roman script, then many students would not have opted for English. Konkani needs to be developed in all scripts and with everyone working hand in hand, the standard and the richness of the language will develop.
After accepting the awards each of the winners expressed their feelings of joy and gratitude. The leader of ‘Goa Chitra’ Victor Hugo Gomes said that till date he has received several international awards and that this award is the first from Goa which meant a lot for him.
The booklet on Dalgado Awards 2017 with synopsis of the winners, edited and compiled by Vincy Quadros was released at the function.
The secretary of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, Vincy Quadros proposed a vote of thanks. The Cultural Troupe from Borim presented a programme on songs from the CD published by Dalgado Konknni Akademi.