Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SB)
Mangalore, Aug 16: St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia celebrated Konkani Day for the fifth successful consecutive year with pomp and glitter on Sunday August 15.
Konkani Bhasha Mandal president and former editor of Raknno Fr Eric Crasta was the chief guest. In his address he stressed the need for preserving Konkani culture and teaching Konkani to the children. He also congratulated the parishioners for being the role model for other parishes.
Crasta also released the book “Vovyo ani Vherse” , collection of vovyo ani vherses by Gladys Rego. Parish Pastoral Council has re-published the book to distribute free of cost to the 1,000 families of Valencia parish. Konkani songs were presented by talented singers of Valencia.
Artistes of Valencia presented a rib-tickling Konkani play “Gondholl” written by late George Pinto Aikal and directed by Arun Raj. Dolphy Saldanha, Melwin D’Almeida, Sandra Lobo, Molly Pinto, Patrick D’Souza, Roshan D’Souza, Pradeep Pinto and Fr Roshan Crasta among others acted in the play. Budding musician Mario Miranda render the sequence music.
“Muga Dalichen Vorn” prepared by parishioners in various wards was served to all. Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, Parish Preist welcomed the guests and gathering while Arun Raj Rodrigues, vice-president of Parish Pastoral Council proposed the vote of thanks. Anitha Rodrigues compered the programme.
Fr Roshan Crasta, assistant parish priest and Flavia Sequeira, secretary were also present.
Earlier in the morning, Independence day was celebrated in the church grounds. Joel D’Souza,
survivor of the May 22 Mangalore air crash unfurled the Indian flag and Fr Joseph Martis delivered the message.