News and pic: Dr Gerald Pinto
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 5: “Konkani does not represent any particular caste or religion, but the people who speak in Konkani. There are 42 Konkani-speaking communities in Karnataka. We have to speak in Konkani to promote and popularize this language,” said Kundapur Narayan Kharvi, president of Karnataka Konkani Academy. He was addressing the gathering at the Konkani Short Story Workshop organized on Sunday August 2, at the Silver Jubilee Hall of Milagres College, Kallianpur.

He also said that Konkani is being taught in primary and high schools as a third language and requested the parents and Konkani schools to come forward to teach Konkani to more and more youngsters. The workshop was inaugurated by Fr Marcel Saldanha, correspondent of Milagres Educational institutions. Sunil Fernandes Kota, editor of Karavalmilan.com  and Kahteeb Abdul Rashid Navayti Muslim, participated as the guests of honour. Louis Almeida, secretary of Konkani Sanghatan Udupi district, welcomed the guests. Dr Gerald Pinto, president of the Sanghatan, introduced the president and the guests.

Dr Gerald Pinto spoke on the greatness of Konkani language and explained the participants on the skills of writing articles in that language. Dolphy Cassia trained the participants on how to write good short stories in Konkani.

Prof Hilda Rodrigues, in-charge principal of the College, presided over the valedictory function. Asok Shenoy and Richel D Costa evaluated the workshop. Walter Pinto proposed vote of thanks. Ashok Shenoy compered the programme.  60 college and high school students belonging to GSB, Kharvi, RSB, Catholic and Navayti muslim community attended the workshop.

The workshop was organized by Karnataka Konkani Academy, Karaval Milan Dubai and Konkani Sanghatan Udupi district.