Krishnaraya, Harry, Babi presented Konkani Academy awards in Karkala

Assembly Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat said that knowledge is essential to understand the life.

Speaking after inaugurating Konkani Sahitya Academy award presentation ceremony here on Sunday, he said Konkani community is a knowledgable community.

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik said that Konkani language has its own identity.

There is a need to conserve the Konkani culture and language and pass it on to the future generation. There is a need to document the culture.

Mothers should ensure that they pass on Konkani language to their children. There is a need to construct Konkani Bhavana and Konkani museum.

Writer Gopalakrishna Pai released the news letter brought out by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy. Former MLA Sunil Kumar distributed fellowships to the deserving candidates.

The Konkani Academy honoraray award winners are S M Krishnaraya (Konkani language and literature), Harry D’Souza (Konkani art) and Babi Naik (Konkani folklore).

The Academy book awards winners are Maxim G Pinto for his collection on Konkani articles ‘Satham Khatham,’ Ronald Vaz for his collection of poems ‘Awaz’ and Ron Maykal for his collection of short stories ‘Modthamthlem Gulob.’

Talented youth Mahadevi Kulal (pottery), Vilas Nayk (painting) and Mahalskhmi Shenoy (classical music) were honored with ‘Konkani Yuva puraskar.’

The honorary award carried a cash prize of Rs 10,000, citation, memento while the book award carried a cash prize of Rs 5,000, citation and memento. MLA Gopal Bhandary presided. Academy President Kasargod Chinna welcomed.