President appreciates richness of Konkani culture and tradition

President appreciates richness of Konkani culture and tradition

Mangalore Today News

Mangalore, December 9: Expressing her pleasure at being able to participate in the Konkani Ekta Divas, President Prathiba Patel said that she was impressed with the magnitude of the cultural programme organized by Mandd Sobhann and the rich culture and tradition that it illustrated. She also appreciated the fact that love of Konkani unites the Konkani-speaking community in spite of their cultural, social, and religious differences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking about the Konkan belt, which stretches from Maharashtra to Kerala, she said that it comprises over 50 lakh hardworking, enterprising, and honest people who have contributed a great deal to the economic, social, and political welfare of the country, besides being active in the struggle for independence.
 
Congratulating all those who contributed for the enrichment of the Konkani language, she said that the language, spoken by Hindus, Christians, as well as Muslims, incorporates a rich and diverse culture and has accepted words from Kannada, Marathi, and Malayalam. Showering lavish praise on the artistes who performed on the occasion and the organizers of the event, she said that the Konkani-speaking community represents the essence of India. She also hailed the 25-day World Konkani Cultural Convention as a “great and big step” toward building a nation of harmony.

Ronald Colaco, who had escorted the president to the dais, said in his welcome speech that the Konkani people have broken a number of records and that the World Konkani Cultural Convention is in its 15th day today. Urging his listeners to think of themselves as Indians first and as Konkani speakers later, he predicted that the country will become the world’s super economical power soon.
 
Uttarkhand Governor Margaret Alva said in her address that the fiery spirit of the Konkani speaking community made it possible for Konkani to be included in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution. Praising the adaptable nature of the Konkani people, she said that there are a number of Konkani speakers in various parts of the state. Stating that programmes such as the Konkani Ekta Divas are a pleasure to witness, she said that people should not stop speaking Konkani at home although they are attracted to western culture and English.

Higher Education Minister Dr. V. S. Acharya said that the common factor binding a group of people of different cultures, castes, and religions is Konkani. Confirming that the CM will participate in the valedictory function of the World Konkani Cultural Convention, he said that the government is ready to support the growth of the language and its culture, owing to which it has introduced Konkani as an optional subject from Std VI.

Expressing his pride of the unique community of Konkani speakers, Governor H. R. Bharadwaj said that this community teaches the rest of the country the true spirit of “unity in diversity.” He concluded by congratulating the organizers of the event.

President arrives at Nehru Maidan, venue of Konkani Ekta Divas

Mangalore, Dec 9 (12:35 pm IST): The mega event at Nehru Maidan was a collection of “firsts.” President of India Smt. Prathiba Patel visited the twin districts for the first time to preside over the Konkani Ekta Divas, the first programme of its kind organized by Mandd Sobhann as part of its first World Konkani Cultural Convention, a 25-day cultural extravaganza. The arrangements were first class.

President Prathiba Devisingh Patel, on her first visit to DK and Udupi, arrived at Bajpe Airport from Manipal by a special helicopter on the noon of Dec 9, Thursday. She had arrived at Bajpe Airport last evening and had immediately flown to Manipal to preside over the convocation ceremony of Manipal University. Shortly before her arrival at Bajpe Airport today, she had inaugurated the new campus of the T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) at Badagabettu near Udupi.

Her convoy passed through Kenjar, Marakada, Kavoor, Bondel, KPT, Nanthoor, St. Agnes, Balmatta, Dr. Ambedkar Circle, and Hampankatta Circle before reaching Nehru Maidan, the venue of the Konkani Ekta Divas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The police department and the district administration have forbidden the parking of vehicles all day along the entire 14-km stretch from Bajpe Airport to Nehru Maidan to ensure the smooth movement of the VVIP convoy. This is how the president could reach the venue from Bajpe Airport in just half an hour. Her convoy followed the convoys of State Governor Hans Raj Bharadwaj and Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva. Higher Education Minister Dr. V. S. Acharya, Goa Chief Minister Digamber V. Kamath, MP Oscar Fernandes, Bishop Aloysius P. D’Souza, and social worker and youth leader Dolphy Prashant D’Souza received the dignitaries.

The Mother Theresa Brass Band played the song saare jahaan se acche as soon as the president arrived on the dais. The function was launched in a grand manner by a five-minute choral welcome. The dais has been constructed in an artistic manner, with a replica of the Ronald and Noreen Mendonca amphitheatre of Kalaangan in the backdrop, making viewers feel as if they were in Kalaangan, Shaktinagar.
 
The choral group has just finished singing the national anthem and is now singing a welcome song in honor of the president under the able guidance of Joel Pereira.
 
Mangalore, Dec 9 (12:10am IST): Sangeeth Guru Joel Pereira is leading the chorus of 50 male and female singers in the singing of the title song, the last item of the Konkani Kala Vaibhav.

Mangalore, Dec 9 (11:45am IST): Prof. Ravishankar Rao, the comperer of the day, is using a pleasant blend of English, Kannada, Konkani, and Tulu to keep the audience informed of what is going to happen next. Ronald Colaco, the chairperson of the reception committee, and Ronald Mendonca has honored 25 Konkani organizations from home and abroad.

Mangalore, Dec 9 (11:30 am IST): A cultural programme, comprising a number of performances by Kudmi, Kharvi, Navayath, Siddhis, and Shigmos and including Manddos, Daff Khell, dance, and baila, is in progress.

 

Nehru Maidan Decked up for the Big Event

Mangalore, Dec 9: When our team reached Nehru Maidan, the venue of the Konkani Ekta Divas, on Dec 9 at 7:30 p.m., there was hardly any activity taking place. The massive shamiyana, tastefully decorated, looked majestic and chairs were neatly arranged. Extra chairs were stacked up to be used in future. The eastern side entrance, which was facing the railway station, was reserved for VIPs and the media. The south side had 3 entrances. Entry will be given only to pass holders.

The organizers say that there are 10,000 chairs inside the shamiyana, and if the number of people who arrive for the programme exceeds this number, more chairs will be provided on the southern side of the shamiyana, which lacks shade.

Those who arrive early will obviously get the best seats.