Media release
Mangaluru, Dec 16: “There are enough blind beliefs and irrational thinking among Konkani speaking people. At the same time one should not forget that famous rationalist and thinker D Kosambi was a Konkani man. Similarly Kudmul Ranga Rao, associate of Gandhiji, who fought against social odds, was also a Konkani man. Soon after Gauri Lankesh was killed the investigating team released a list of rationalists and thinkers who were in the hit list. Among the top four, again two were Konkani speaking thinkers.” said Prof Narendra Nayak, rationalist and thinker.
He was speaking after releasing the special edition of ‘Arso’ Konkani Monthly at Sahodaya, Balmatta in city on Saturday, December 15.
Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy, editor, Wilson Kateel, associate editor Roshu, Bajpe, editorial board members Melwin Kolalgiri , Eddie Sequeira and Stany Bela and printer and publisher of ‘Arso’ H M Pernal were present on the occasion.
“Indian Constitution has given every citizen the right to practice the religion of his choice. Similarly it is the constitutional right of an individual to abstain from practicing any religion. No one has to live in this country at the mercy of any religion. Constitution does not differentiate people based on religion and it does not say that We the Hindu people, We the Muslim people or We the Christian people. The constitution clearly says that We the people of India. So, believer or atheist, everyone has equal right in this country. But It is sad that systematic efforts are being made to silence the dissenting voices, which is not a health development,” Prof Nayak added.
Earlier H M Pernal introduced team ‘Arso’ to the gathering.
Roshu Bajpe welcomed the guests.
Wilson Kateel briefed about Arso special edition and explained how hard the editorial board worked for three months to bring out the high quality issue.
Basti Vaman Shenoy honoured the judges of Vishwa Konkani Kendra – Poetics Konkani poetry competition, Shakuntala R Kini and Fr Jo Cy Siddakatte and distributed prizes to the winners.
Melwyn Kolalgiri spoke about the Vishwa Konkani Kendra Poetics Konkani poetry competition and announced the results.
Grass by Rohan Adkabare won the first cash prize of Rs. 5,000, Jiyemk Ashetham Aplepon by Tara Laveena Fernandes, Kinnikambla won the second cash prize of Rs.3,000 and Kavichya Patkachim Patti by Jaison J Sequeira, Gurpur won the third cash prize of Rs.2,000. Each prize also includes a certificate and memento.
In his presidential address Basti Vaman Shenoy said “Konkani speaking people are spread across the globe. But there are very few those tirelessly work for Konkani. At Vishwa Konkani Kendra, we do not keep photo or image of any God or Swamiji. Language has no religion,” Stany Bela proposed vote of thanks.