Konkani Roars through the Waves of the Arabian Sea: Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha
Mangaluru, July 21: Konkani is a language with a deep and enduring spirit, and its resonance echoes through the waves of the Arabian Sea. It spreads its fragrance all along the western coast. There is no doubt that the Konkani dictionary “Sabdam Sampatti” is a remarkable milestone for the language, said Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore, while releasing the book Sabdam Sampatti, edited by Fr. Prashanth Madtha and published by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, on July 21.
Chief Guest P. V. Mohan said, “The word is the fundamental truth of the world. It is a great invention. Compiling words and preparing a dictionary containing synonyms and antonyms is truly a challenging task. The editor and the Academy have invested tremendous effort in this work, and I congratulate the Academy’s President and members for this remarkable achievement.”
Presiding over the programme, Joachim Stany Alvares, President of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, said that the Academy has been making significant efforts to promote Konkani language, literature, and culture, and several more publications are in the pipeline. Through its publications ‘Kavya Pallavi’ and ‘Katha Pallavi’, which are translations of Konkani literary works into Kannada, the Academy is introducing Konkani literature to Kannada readers. He appealed to Konkani writers and poets to extend their wholehearted support to the Academy in its mission of promoting Konkani literature among speakers of other languages.
The programme was attended by Fr. Bryan Pereira, Rector of St. Aloysius Institutions; Fr. Dr. Praveen Martis, Vice Chancellor of St. Aloysius Deemed to be University; and Taranath Gatti, President of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, as guests of honour.
Academy Registrar Rajesh G. welcomed the gathering. Fr. Prashanth Madtha delivered the introductory remarks. Roshan Crasta compered the programme, while Flora Castelino proposed the vote of thanks.
The programme was organised with the support of St. Aloysius Deemed to be University.
