Media Release
Panaji, Jan 28: Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), Alto Porvorim presented their Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar (APKP) and Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar on wednesday, January 27.
Fr Conceicao Silva, the Parish Priest of Carambolim was the Chief Guest and conferred the awards. Veteran Konknni writer of medical literature Dr Bicaji Ganecar was the twentieth recipient of TSKK’s prestigious Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar (APKP). Dr. Bicaji Ganecar was facilitated with a shawl, memento and cheque of Rs.25.000/-
Dr. Bicaji Ganecar received this award for the year 2010 for his valuable contribution to Konknni literature in the field of medical literature in Devanagari and Roman script. He has written 36 Konknni books which include poems, stories, medical dictionary and health issues. He has written many articles on Health in Navhind Times, Sunaparant, Gomantak, V. IXTT, Gulab, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti and other Konknni journals. In his speech Dr. Bicaji said let us not divide us because of multiplicity of languages and scripts, rather let us serve them to the best of our ability. Let us not worry about the future of Konknni. Let us serve it today as best as we could. He said that he started to Konknni in Roman script because there were periodicals and his writing reached a vast majority people who read Konknni only in Roman script.
The award Konknni Martir Floriano Vaz Puroskar was presented to Br John M Alfonso from Loliem, Goa, for the best Konknni book of the calendar year 2009 written in Roman script. This award was for his essay book Jinnechi Vatt. He is a member of Goa – Karnataka Province of the Carmelite order. He regularly writes to various Konknni journals. He has written two Konknni books. At present he is doing his theology studies at St. Joseph Seminary, Mangalore. The award consisted of a memento and cash Rs. 5,000/-. Br John expressed his gratitude to TSKK for receiving the first award of his life as a Konknni writer.
Also, at this occasion Master. Aaron Jack Fernandes, a XI standard student from Guardian Angel Higher Secondary School , Sanvordem, Goa was given Lourenço Umbelina scholarship of Rs 2,000/- and Ms Concy Fernandes a first year B.Com student from MES College from Vasco was given Carvalho Family scholarship of Rs 4,000/-.
The Chief Guest Fr Conceicao Silva said that due to the Opinion Poll Goa maintained its Konknni identity and later attained the Statehood. He emphasized that the Father of Opinion Poll is Dr. Jack Sequeira. All these years the Goa governments have forgotten him but he is alive in the hearts of Goans. He announced an annual award of Rs. 5,000/- to perpetuate the memory of Dr. Jack Sequeira. From 2011 this award will be given by TSKK. Fr. Silva also promised to donate a ceremonial wooden chair to TSKK in the name of his late mother.
Earlier Fr Pratap Naik, the director of TSKK welcomed the guests and Fr. Patricio Fernandes the TSKK managing committee member proposed vote of thanks. Fr. Ave Maria Afonso, Mr. Salvador Fernandes and Ms Brenda Menezes introduced the guests and recipients of the awards and their contribution to Konknni. Ms Dipali Sankolkar compered the function. A good number of TSKK’s and Dr. Bicaji’s friends were present for the function.