Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 5: The 31st Akhil Bharata Konkani Parishad, being organized under the aegis of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Maharashtra, is all set to begin on Saturday January 6. The two-day event will be held at Maharashtra Bharat Scouts and Guides auditorium in Dadar.
Renowned Konkani writer Payyanur Ramesh Pai will preside over the event, while Maharashtra minister for education, sports and youth welfare Vinod Tawde will inaugurate, informed Bhasha Mandal vice-president John D'Silva.
Managing director of Ryan International Group of Institutions Grace Pinto will be the chief guest. She will release the souvenir as well as several books by various authors. Model Bank honorary secretary Gokuldas Prabhu and actress Varsha Usgaonkar will be the guests of honour, said Bhasha Mandal working president Henry Lobo.
The first discussion will be held on the topic 'Mumbai and contribution of the Mumbai Konkani community', presided over by Dr C N Shenoy. A poets' meet will be held next, presided over by Valerian Quadros, followed by cultural programmes.
The second session will be held the next day, Sunday, January 7. It will be chaired by Ananta Ammembal. 'National Konkani channels, their necessity and narration’ will be the topic for discussion. The third session chaired by N Shivadas in the afternoon will be on '50 years resolution and development of Konkani state'. The fourth discussion titled 'Contribution to Konkani literature by visual arts' will be chaired by Deepak Gad. A second poets' meet will be thereafter, chaired by Prakash Padgoankar.
The concluding programme will be held at 4 pm on January 7. Borivli MP Gopal C Shetty will be the chief guest. Classical musician Pandith Prabhaker Karekar, NKGSB Bank vice-president Sunil Gaithonde will be the guests of honour. Honorary chief secretary of the Bhasha Mandal Lawrence D’ Souza has requested Konkani community members to attend in large numbers and make it a success.
John D'Silva is the president of the executive committee of Konkani Bhasha Mandal. Henry Lobo is the executive president. Albert W D’Souza is the vice-president, Lawrence D’Souza Kamani, honorary chief secretary, Walter D’ Souza Jerimeri, treasurer, Pascal Lobo, joint secretary, John R Pereira, joint secretary, and Valnes Rego is the joint treasurer. The executive committee members are P N Shanbhog, Betti Naz Fernandes, Stanley Dias, Rosario K Fernandes, Benedicta Rebello, Cyprian Albuquerque, Cyril Castelino, John G Mendonca, Ananth Ammembal and Leo Fernandes, Jerimeri.