News: Margao Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network – Margao (SP)

Margao, Dec 4: Noted Goan poet and a journalist by profession, Pandurang Gaonkar, has bagged the award in “Brahanmaharashtra’ category of Maharashtra State Government’s Marathi Literature Awards - 2008-09, which were announced on Thursday, December 3. Gaonkar has been chosen for the award, for his recently published poetry book titled ‘Nantar’.

The award consists of cash component of Rs 20,000, a memento and a citation, which will be presented to him at a function to be held at Vishnudas Bhave Natyamandir, Sangli, on February 14, 2010.
 

Another Goan poet, Devendra Kandolkar, has also bagged an award in the same category, for his book titled ‘Sangarshalla’.

Pandurang Gaonkar’s "...aani mi suddha!", poetry book, had been published in the year 2003. He has held several poetry programmes in Sattari, the village he hails from.

While expressing his happiness at the recognition he has won, Gaonkar told this correspondent that he is elated at the fact that the Maharashtra government has honoured the Goan poets. “When one’s contribution is recognized, it feels great. This has been possible only because of my readers, who have loved my poems, and have always given me their feedback. Thanks to all of them”, he said.

Gaonkar also revealed that his another poetry book titled ‘Nazia’, will be released soon.