Raknno Awards 2026 honour for Dr Jerry Niddodi and ‘Angelorcho Ange’

Raknno Awards 2026 honour for Dr Jerry Niddodi and ‘Angelorcho Ange’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, September 6, 2026: Konkani writer Dr Jerry Niddodi and the parish magazine Angelorcho Ange of Angelore Church were honoured with the ‘Raknno Award 2026’ for their contributions to Konkani literature and publishing.

The awards were presented at a programme organised by the Konkani weekly Raknno at Bejai Church Hall here on Sunday. The annual awards have been instituted to encourage Konkani writers and promote Konkani literature.

Bishop of Mangaluru Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, who presided over the programme, described Konkani as the “language closest to the heart” and stressed the need to preserve and promote the language in everyday life.

Recalling his own literary journey, Bishop Saldanha said he learnt to write in Konkani through Raknno. He urged the community to speak and use Konkani regularly, particularly among children and youth, and called for greater use of Konkani numerals and vocabulary in daily conversations.

Dr Niddodi received the ‘Best Writer of the Year 2026’ award in recognition of his contribution to Konkani literature. Dr Edward Nazareth delivered the felicitation address.

Accepting the award, Dr Niddodi thanked Raknno for supporting his literary journey for more than 25 years and providing a platform to nurture the mother tongue.

Angelorcho Ange was named ‘Best Parish Magazine of the Year 2026’. Editor Roshan Patrao was felicitated on behalf of the magazine, with Francis D’Cunha delivering the felicitation address.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares, who was the chief guest, urged Konkani writers and parish magazine editors to regularly submit copies of their publications to the Academy. He said this would help document and preserve Konkani literary works, particularly those published in the Kannada script, for future generations.

The programme also featured the release of Mogachi Sunami, the debut short-story collection by Donald Pereira of Budkulo Media. Bishop Saldanha released the book.

A Konkani language training session on numerals, gender, grammar and vocabulary was conducted by Rev. Fr Valerian Fernandes, former editor of Raknno. He was also felicitated for his service to the Konkani language and his contribution to the weekly.

Rev. Fr Stany Pereira, parish priest of Bejai Church, Nirmal D’Souza, vice-president, and Avitha Pinto, secretary, were present. The programme was organised by the Raknno editorial board in association with members of Bejai Church.