Rakno organizes Konkani Writers’ Convention in Udupi

Rakno organizes Konkani Writers’ Convention in Udupi

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 27, 2013: ‘Raknno’  Konkani  Weekly founded in the year 1938 organized a Konkani Writers’ Convention in the Silver Jubilee Hall of Milagres College, Kallianpur on the 27th of October 2013 on the occasion of its Platinum Jubilee year.

The Convention was inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, the Bishop of Udupi Diocese. “Raknno is one of the important Konkani Weekly that has informed and formed people for 75 years with the effort to upheld truth and Christian values. People have been trained to become writers through Raknno and they have reached many other media today. Religious as  well as lay people have put their efforts in Raknno for years. Number of people especially the elderly generation continue to depend on Raknno for it has influenced their thinking and way of life” said Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in his inaugural and presidential address.

 

The Convention included informatory and open discussion sessions on the role and responsibility of editors, feature articles, being a good reader and letters to the editor. Editors of different Konkani Journals and writers from Udupi and neighbouring districts participated in the convention. The exhibition of books and magazines was held during the convention. Nearly 125 Konkanni writers participated in the convention.

V. Rev. Fr Stany B. Lobo, the Rector of Kallianpur-Milagres Cathedral was the guest of honour. Well known Konkani writers and linguists Chethan Capuchin, Fr Valerian Fernandes, Wilfred Lobo Padil and J.F. D’Souza Attavar were the resource persons. Well known writer Dr Gerald Pinto (Gerry Niddodi)  the local organizer through Konkani Sangatan of Udupi District welcomed the gathering,. The Diocese of Udupi assisted the organization of the convention.

Writers George Castelino Nakre, Catherine Rodrigues Katpady, Louis Almeida Manipal and Dr Gerald Pinto introduced the resource persons. While Fr Francis Rodrigues the Raknno Editor gave the introductory note Cyril G. Sequeira the Convenor of Raknno Platinum Jubilee celebrations proposed vote of thanks. Walter Cyril Pinto compeered the programme.

The Platinum Jubilee year of Raknno (1938-2013) was launched  in December 2012 and will have a jubilant valedictory on the 15th of December 2013. During the jubilee year Raknno has organized literary meetings, media awareness programmes, publication of books, study of journalistic history of Raknno, exhibition of books and magazines, readers surveys, novel writing and other literary competitions, etc. On the occasion of valedictory it will institute the Raknno Literary Life time award to a senior Konkanni writer with felicitation together with cash award of Rs 50,000/-