’Raknno Platinum Sahitya Puraskar’ award to be conferred on Fr Mark Valder

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 11, 2013: Fr Frncis Rodrigues , editor of Rakno said that Raknno Weekly will honour Fr Mark Valder, former editor of Raknno with ’Raknno Platinum Sahitya Puraskar’ at a ceremony held to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee Finale at St Sebastian Platinum Jubilee Auditorium, Bendur on Dec 15, Sunday at 5 pm.

Speaking at the press meet held at Press Club on Dec 11, Thursday, he said that Fr Mark Valder was chosen by the panel of 6 juries for the first Raknno Platinum Sahity Puraskar for his meritorious  service to the field of Konkani journalism and literature. The award comprises of Rs 50,000 cash, a shawl, a citation and a memento. 

He also said that Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore will preside over the valedictory function. Dr Na D’Souza, renowned Kannada writer and president of 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be the Chief Guest.  J R Lobo,MLA,  Basti Vaman Shenoy, President of Vishwa Konkanni Kendra and Smt Shakumtala R Kini, Senior Announcer, All India Radio, Mangalore will be the guests  of honour. Renowned playwright Nellu Permannur and his troupe will entertain with his new  comedy play ‘Upranth-ch Kollchem!’.

Some of the highlights of the finale programme are releasing of  new Konkani books i.e. ‘Vally Padryab’ by Fr Valerian Prashant Madtha S.J., ‘Mitt Mirsang’ by Fr Francis Rodrigues and ‘Gadya Merer’  by Valerain D’Souza Bola. Raknno Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, a volume of selected literary articles written by renowned Konkani writers would be released

Speaking on the Raknno Konkanni weekly newspaper, he said to commemorate the first ever Eucharistic Congress which was held in December 1938, Bishop Victor Fernandes started Raknno Konkanni weekly newspaper under the able and scholarly editorship of Msgr Sylvester Menezes. This December 2013 Raknno turns platinum.  ‘Speak the Truth and promote the Dharma’ (Sot uloi Dharm choloi) was the motto of Raknno.  This weekly is the forum for the Konkanni people to express their thoughts and feelings, opinions and aspirations. Raknno weekly is the oldest and largest circulated Konkanni news paper in India and abroad, crossing all barriers of caste, creed and community in its news coverage.

Raknno began its humble journey under the brilliant editorship of Msgr Sylvester Menezes. In the next fifty years Fr John Menezes, Rev. Dr Alexander F. D’Souza, Fr Mark Valder, Fr Vincent V Menezes, Fr Samuel Sequeira and Fr Eric Crasta have contributed their best. At present Fr Francis Rodrigues, the Managing Editor of Raknno is carrying forward this tradition and trying to reach it to newer heights in Konkani journalism, social commitment and justice. Fr Francis Rodrigues is the present editor of Raknno, wellknown for his witty and humorous editorials. Though Raknno is an official organ of the Diocese of Mangalore, it is also the voice of Konkanni people, has stood by the people at all times. In 1974 when the Land Reformation Act was introduced in Karnataka, Raknno took the initiative to publish a series of articles to enlighten, educate and create awareness among the people, especially among the farmers.

Raknno had also brought out 20,000 copies of a booklet on Land Reformation Act, written by Advocate Shirtady William Pinto. When the floods caused heavy damages in Dakshina Kannada, Raknno went forward to promote a Relief Fund for the poor people. Raknno is the first Konkanni newspaper to conduct workshops for budding young writers. To encourage young writers, poets and journalists, Raknno has organized ‘Raknno Lekhak Sammell’ (Writers’ convention) and ‘Raknno Kavi Sammell’ (Poets’ meet) for many consecutive years.

The role of any media is to inform, educate, enlighten and entertain. Raknno has published variety of articles, news features, news analysis, interviews etc. It has covered almost all fields like religious, social, political, cultural, agricultural, educational, health, legal, economic, scientific and career guidance etc. It has kept its readers entertained by publishing serialized novels, short stories, humour, satire etc. It has reserved a page for children’s corner and  published recipes and beauty tips for women. Raknno editorial office witnessed a vast change in its establishment by adopting computerization and offset printing technology. There was a tremendous boost in its  circulation. Circulation of Raknno was almost doubled since 1993. From a staff numbering 5 in 1993 increased to 15 permanent staff in 1997. Now there are over 45 sales executives and area representatives of Raknno.

‘Raknno’ though being a Konkanni Weekly by nature has strived to keep its readers abreast with the times with wide coverage on variety of issues. Constant innovations and creativity have been Raknnos forte. Humour, satire, serialized novels, feature articles with field work, short stories and special pages for children, youth and women have been promoting literature and the habit of reading. As a publishing house, Raknno has been publishing both fiction and non - fiction books (titles) having 114 titles and one CD to its credit till date. ‘Kajulo’ published by Raknno is the only Konkanni magazine meant exclusively for the children. Raknno is also published through its online version.

Raknno had organized couple of Konkanni literary programmes in the Jubilee year. Raknno had organised Konkani Writers’ Conventions in Kallianpur and Mangalore respectively in October and November this year. It had also organized a two days media awareness programme for priests, nuns and priestly candidates. It conducted literary competitions in Konkanni serial writing, short stories, satires (vinodh), essays, satirists essays (lalith prabandh) and poetry. On the occasion of Jubilee Raknno has joined hands with couple of literary organizations and organized literary meetings in the jubilee year. Raknno is conducting a reader’s survey this year. The completion of 75 years of fruitful, truthful and successful publishing mission is a mile stone in the history of Konkanni journalism.

Cyril G Sequiera, convener of Rakno Plainum Jubilee Finale Celebration Committee and Titus Naronha, CEO Rahul Advertisers were present.