(1974-2024)
"Dada,whatareyoudoinghere?" ತೆ೦
My poor chimpanzee!"
Canara World Events:
Honoring Excellence:
Canara World Foundation and Panorama India Felicitate
Aaron Reeve Mendes, Canada’s Youngest International Master
CanaraWorldEvents
March 14, 2025 : The Grand Convention Centre at Radisson TorontoAirportWestinMississauga was abuzz with excitement as the Canara World Foundation hosted a spectacularfelicitationceremonyto honor 12-year-old chess prodigy Aaron Reeve Mendes, who etched his name in history as Canada’s youngest International Master (IM). The evening was a dazzling tribute to Aaron’s remarkable talent, relentless dedication, and the unwavering support of his family, mentors,andcommunity.Filledwith inspiring speeches, prestigious awards, and heartfelt moments, the event was a true celebration of excellenceandunity.
The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Honourable Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, Acting Consul General of India in Toronto,
and MPP Rudy Cuzzetto of Mississauga Lakeshore.
The event saw participation from esteemed community organizations, including CCVICanada Canara Vision Inc., Goan Association, Kannada Sangha, KCOB-Konkan Catholics of Brampton, KOT-Konkans of
Toronto, and Tulu Koota. Chess enthusiasts,skilledplayers,andFIDE arbiters, alongside representatives from the Chess Federation of Canada,alsojoinedthecelebration. Additionally, St. Barbara Catholic
Elementary School was proudly represented by its principal and dedicatedteachers.
Theeveningkickedoffwithawarm welcome by the event’s charismatic host, Megan Periera. Max Mendes, President of the Canara World Foundation and Aaron’s proud uncle, then took the stage to formallywelcomethe distinguished guests, chess enthusiasts, and community members. Max also acknowledged the pivotal role of Aaron’s school, St. Barbara Catholic ElementarySchool,anditsprincipal, Christine Zeni, in fostering his academicandchesspursuits.
Nancy Mendes, a dedicated member of the Canara World
Foundation and Aaron’s aunt, invited MPP Rudy Cuzzetto to the stage. He delivered an uplifting speech, praising Aaron’s achievementsandencouraginghim to continue reaching for greatness. Due to prior commitments, MPP Cuzzetto departed shortly after his address, leaving the audience inspiredbyhiswords.
Nancy Mendes then orchestrated a beautiful flower presentation ceremony to honor the distinguished guests:
• Honourable Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, presented by Mariam Pinto, member of CWF •NelsonD’Costa,PresidentofCCVI, presented by Irene Mathias, member of CWF
• Christine Zeni, Principal of St. BarbaraCatholicElementarySchool, presented by Ingrid Periera, memberofCWF
Following the flower presentation, Principal Christine Zeni took the stage to deliver a heartfelt speech. She spoke passionately about Aaron’s dedication, emphasizing the importance of balancing academics with extracurricular pursuits.Herwordsunderscoredthe
critical role educators play in nurturingyoungtalentandshaping futureleaders.
Oneofthemostpoignantmoments of the evening came when Aaron’s sister, Ayesha Mendes, presented a touching slideshow chronicling Aaron’sjourney. Fromhisearlydays learningthegametohishistoricIM title, the presentation was a visual testament to the sacrifices, latenight practice sessions, and unwavering family support that fueled Aaron’s rise to success. The audience was moved by the heartfeltanecdotesandphotosthat capturedtheessenceofhisjourney.
MavyPerriera,anexecutivemember of the Canara World Foundation, spoke about the foundation’s mission to nurture talent and support cultural and educational initiatives. He introduced the CWF leadership team, acknowledging their tireless efforts in building the foundation’slegacy.Theentireteam wastheninvitedtothestageforthe officialfelicitationceremony.
Thehighlightoftheeveningwasthe presentation of awards to Aaron. The Canara World Foundation honored him with a special
Appreciation Award for becoming Canada’s youngest International Master. This prestigious accolade was presented by Honourable Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, who praised Aaron’s dedication and wishedhimcontinuedsuccess.
Aaronwasalsorecognizedwithtwo othermajorhonors:
1. The Kalev Pugi Award, presented by Christina Tao, Youth Coordinator for the Chess Federation of Canada. This esteemed award, a hallmark of excellence in Canadian chess, celebrates exceptional contributions to the game and outstanding sportsmanship. Aaron was named the 2024 recipient in recognition of his rapid ascent and remarkableachievements.
2. The International Master Certificate,presentedbyFMVictor Plotkin, Arbiter Hal Bond, Arbiter Omar Shah, and Annex Chess Club President Salim Belcadi. This certification, awarded by FIDE, solidified Aaron’s place among the world’s elite chess players. Achieving this title at just 12 years old is a testament to his
extraordinary talent and determination.
The evening reached its crescendo with a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony. Surrounded by his family,Aaronstoodatthecenterof the festivities as the audience eruptedinapplause,celebratingnot only his achievement but also the collective effort that made it possible.
Aaronthentookthestagetodeliver a heartfelt speech. With humility and grace, he expressed his gratitude to his parents, coaches, mentors,andthechesscommunity.
The formal proceedings concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Arun Mendes, Aaron’s father. He emphasized that Aaron’s success was the result of collective encouragement, mentorship, and unwavering family support. Arun’s speech resonated deeply with the audience,leavingthemwithasense of shared pride and accomplishment.
As the evening transitioned into a celebratory dinner, Ria D’Souza, Aaron’s cousin, led the gathering in a graceful prayer. Guests enjoyed a
delicious meal while Aaron remained on stage for a photo session, capturing cherished moments with well-wishers and supporters. The night ended on a high note with music and dance, as the community came together to celebrate not only Aaron’s success but also the spirit of ambition, perseverance,andunity.
The celebrations continued the following week when Aaron was honored at the grand Republic Day event hosted by Panorama India in collaboration with the Consulate Generalof IndiainToronto. Held at theprestigiousPearsonConvention Centre in Brampton on February 2, 2025, the event commemorated India’s 76th Republic Day, bringing together the Indian diaspora in Canada in a spirit of patriotism and unity.
During the celebrations, Aaron was felicitated as Canada’s youngest International Master. Honourable
Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh presented him with a special award, recognizing his historic accomplishment. The audience responded with thunderous applause, further cementing Aaron’s status as a rising star in the chessworld.
Aaron’s journey to the International Master title is a shining example of what can be achieved through passion,hardwork,andthesupport of a loving community. As he sets his sights on the Grandmaster title, the chess world eagerly awaits the nextchapterinhisinspiringstory.
The Canara World Foundation’s felicitation ceremony and Aaron’s recognition at the Republic Day celebrations were more than just acknowledgments of his achievements—they were a powerful testament to the importance of nurturing young talentandbuildingabrighterfuture forgenerationstocome.
NO OTHER LAND!
-*Fr.CedricPrakashSJ
Manyyearsago,therewasa popularAmericansongwhichone gustilysangatcamps,picnicsand otherget-togethers.Thankstoits verycatchytune,itwasalwaysa hit.Thechorusofthelyricswent thus:
“Thislandisyourland,andthislandismyland FromCaliforniatotheNewYorkisland FromtheRedwoodForesttotheGulfStreamwaters Thislandwasmadeforyouandme”
Aspecialstanzaofthesongwas:
“Therewasabig,highwalltherethattriedtostopme Asignwaspaintedsaid‘PrivateProperty’ Butonthebackside,itdidn'tsaynothing Thislandwasmadeforyouandme.”
The song is essentially a protest song, first composed by the American folk singer Woody Guthrie in 1940. It was a critical response to Irving Berlin's ‘God Bless America’ Its melody is based on a Carter Family tune called ‘When the World's on Fire’. The song was a hit then, particularly duringWorldWarII;overtheyears,
the lyrics of the song have undergone several changes and adaptations. The essence however remains the same, “this land was madeforyouandme.”In 2025, it waslistedatNo. 11of‘The100Best ProtestSongsofAllTime.’Giventhe context of the highly polarised and divided world we live in– this song ismorerelevanttoday!
About a week ago, on Sunday 2 March,atthe97th AcademyAwards, ‘No Other Land’ won the coveted Oscar for the Best Documentary Film. The film has been made by four Israeli and Palestinian activists (Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor) and is a powerful examination of life under occupation. It is their directorial debut. They describe the film as an act of resistance on the path to justice during the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
‘No Other Land’ is a portrait of a West Bank village under Israeli military occupation. The documentary film gets its title from astatementbyalong-timeMasafer Yatta resident who says, “wehave nootherland.Itisourland.Thatis whywesufferforit.”For the ones who have seen this path-breaking documentary. ‘No Other Land’ is a breathtakinglypowerfulchronicleof what it means to live with the constant threatofeviction.Thefilm captures with heartrending detail the relentlessness of Israel’s effort to remove any trace of Palestinian presence in the West Bank. This
reality is what the world painfully witnesses today and yet does not daretoaddresscollectively!
Thedocumentaryhasthefriendship between Basel and Yuval as a backgrounder. Their relationship is filledwithintenseemotions.Baselis very anxious over the fate of his family and village, to the point of exhaustion. Yuval expresses guilt and sorrow over being unable to prevent imminent destruction or to persuade his fellow- Israelis to see reason.Thereisasadbutgrimirony when Basel says that he has a law degree but can only find work as a construction labourer in Israel. The way the judiciary can be used to redesignate land use and thus enable unfeeling eviction policies points to a familiar playbook predicated on absolute denial of basichumanrights.
In their acceptance speech, two of the film’s four directors pleaded for an end to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Basel Adra, a Palestinian activistwhoisfromMasaferYatta,a region of the West Bank said, “Abouttwomonthsago,Ibecamea father,andmyhopetomydaughter
[is]thatshewillnothavetolivethe samelifeI’mlivingnow – always fearing settlers’ violence, home demolitions and forceful displacementsthatmycommunity, MasaferYatta,islivingandfacing every day under the Israeli occupation.…Wecallontheworld totakeseriousactionstostopthe injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.” Adraalsodescribedtheissuesfaced by his village, including home demolitionsanddisplacement.
Yuval Abraham, an Israeli investigative journalist, co-director of the film said, “WhenIlookat Basel,Iseemybrother,butweare unequal.Weliveinaregimewhere Iamfreeundercivilianlaw,and Basel is under military laws that destroy his life, and he cannot control.IsraelisandPalestiniansare ‘intertwined’;mypeoplecanbetruly safeifBasel’speoplearetrulyfree andsafe.”
In February 2024, at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, ‘No Other Land’ won the Berlinale Documentary Award and the Panorama Audience Award for Best
Documentary Film. During his acceptance speech then, Abraham criticized Israel saying, “We are standinginfrontofyounow,me andBaselarethesameage.Iam Israeli;BaselisPalestinian.Andin twodayswewillgobacktoaland wherewearenotequal.Iamliving under a civilian law and Basel is under military law. We live 30 minutes from one another, but I have voting rights. Basel is not having voting rights. I’m free to movewhereIwantinthisland.Basel is, like millions of Palestinians, lockedintheoccupiedWestBank. Thissituationofapartheidbetween us,thisinequality,itmustend” . Adrachippedinsaying,“It’sourfirst movie; since many years my community, my family has been filming our community being erasedbythisbrutaloccupation.I amherecelebratingtheaward,but alsoveryhardformetocelebrate whentherearetensofthousandsof mypeoplebeingslaughteredand massacred by Israel in Gaza. Masafer Yatta, my community, is being also razed by Israeli bulldozers. I ask one thing: for
Germany,asIaminBerlinhere,to respect the U.N. calls and stop sendingweaponstoIsrael.”
Since its release in February 2024, the documentary has won numerous awards and accolades from all over the world. However, for obvious reasons it has not been screened in India. Even its entry to certainFilmFestivalshere,hasbeen inexplicably cancelled. The fascist regime which rules the country today will not allow Freedom of Speech and Expression to its citizens. A film which shows the Israeli regime in poor light, is in India, a certain ‘no-no’! Even in the United States, the film has failed to find a distributor because it reveals truths that Americans should not see!WhenthefilmwontheOscar,it was natural that some Israelis were outraged, using every trick in the book to denigrate the directors of thefilmandthecast.
‘No Other Land’ is about divisiveness and discrimination, about demonization and denigration, about demolition and
destruction!Atthereceivingendare thePalestinianpeople – the ‘other’!
It is not without reason that Pope Francis has been praying every single day for them and regularly speaking to those affected in Gaza. It is a film which is a powerful manifestation of the terrible reality facedbymillionsalloverthe world. HereinIndia,theKuki-zopeopleof Manipur and the minorities (particularlyMuslimsandChristians) mustfacethisrealitydaily!
Asthebulldozers,continuetogoon rampage demolishing and destroying the lives and homes of the vulnerable, it is time that the fascist and dictatorial rulers of the world realise that “thislandwas madeforyouandme”and wake uptothestatementbythe Masafer Yatta resident “we have no other land.Itisourland.Thatiswhywe sufferforit.”Yes,thereisNoOther Land!
9March2025
*(Fr.CedricPrakashSJ isahuman rights, reconciliation and peace activist/ writer. Contact: cedricprakash@gmail.com)
Konkani – Amchi Mai Bhas
Konkaniis a dialect grownto a practical language by sheer usage and exponential growth; “KonkaniAmchi Mai Bhas”'Konkani our Mother Language' - Spoken like honey flowing on and on. Konkani lovers are multitudes, love for Konkani is deep and wide - Konkani speakers in random pockets of the world proclaim it. There is a consistent visibleefforttobringKonkanitothe forefront and enhance its development for a long fruitful life,
butallofitisnotrational.Ourgood Konkanifolksinthepasthavedone agreatjobandbroughtKonkanito renown without doubt. Thelipi(script) conundrum is a haunting ghost for one thing, clarityhasbeenelusive.Itisdifficult tounifythevariousscriptusersand 42dialectsofKonkanilanguageand unifying them together is a job for the Gods. The Kannada scripted Konkani in Kanara is active in literatureanditsculture,dominated by the Roman Catholics (in the last 500 years at least), the Kannada influenceonthisversionisclearand
is growing - in a few decades Konkani language as such may be difficult to distinguish.
ThoseNexGenwhowillinthefuture take the place of by-gone Konkani elders effectively will have a different methodology that is very unpredictable. Most of the future folk are primed and seasoned in English from KG to PG and their aversion to study and identify with local Indian languages is a huge hurdle. Modern Konkani pundits using Kannada script have little affinity or grace towards English, many are uncomfortable with English. Thestrangethingisforthe future generations to grasp Konkani, the main vehicle visibly is English,very few fathom that. Yet, there is little understanding and/or acceptanceabouttheverybasicand vitalpotentials.Theneedistothink out of the box, putting aside the experiencesofpastpathsandbeing ready for fresh inroads is vital. This is up to the Konkani experts and loversanduserstobeconcerned.
recognised and give room and space for each other, the main sufferer will be 'Konkani' and may likely contributetoitsloss.Itishigh time that those who have spelt out Konkani greatness through English writings get their dues. Take a look at what one 94-year-old Canadian citizen of Mangalore origin has to say "My First language Konkani: I learnt Konkani on my mother’s lap and no one around me for years spoke any other language except Tulu, the language of the majority Kodial Hindus. So, Konkani formed the template on which I built speech, accents and intonations all through the first phase. Even though I seldom spoke in that language in later years as English was almost the only language, I usedforcommunicatingandwriting duringmyentirecareer,Ihadnever forgottenit.Thisisevidencedbymy book Teach YourselfKonkani through English, which I wrote and publishedin2021. Inmy91styear!" Inspiring motivation.
AslongastheKonkanilovers,using different languages to promote Konkani are not appreciated or
There are a significant number of Konkani speakers in India, Europe, USA, Kenya, Uganda, Pakistan, the Gulf, Portugal and so on. Many
families speak different dialects than their ancestors spoke, which are now highly influenced by the native languages. The Konkani language is spoken widely in the western coastal region of India knownasKanaraandKonkan. Each region has a unique dialect, pronunciation style, vocabulary, tone and sometimes grammar. It ranks15th on the List of Scheduled Languages by strength. According tothe2001estimatesoftheCensus Department of India, there are 2.5 lakh Konkani speakers in India. A very large number of Konkani
speakers live outside India, expatriates or citizens of other countries. Konkaniisan Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in the Konkan coastal region of western India, encompassing the states of Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala. It is also spoken by the Konkanidiasporainvariouspartsof the world. The history of Konkani is diverse and intertwined with the region's rich legacy and cultural heritage and we must be worthy hiers of Konkani Matha.
- By: IvanSaldanha-Shet.
Constellation Carina
(AbrahamJoseph)
For the first time in our lives, Sheela and I crossed the equator intotheSouthernHemispherewhen we recently visited New Zealand (NZ)onashortvacation.
Mycousin,whoheadstheSchoolof Management at Wellington University,livesinNZ.Itwasajoyful reunion after many years, and they werethrilledtodriveusaroundtheir stunning country all the way from Aucklanddowntoitssouthernmost tip,Bluff.Welovedeverybitofit.
Beyond its breathtaking natural beauty and endless activities for visitors,oneofNewZealand'sfinest attractions is its nightlife not the bustlingcitykind,butthenocturnal kind.
It was fascinating to learn that the country’s national bird, the kiwi, is nocturnal. More impressively, New Zealand's night skies are incredibly beautiful, a true haven for stargazers.
Knowing that one of our nights February26th wouldcoincidewith a new moon, we decided to make themostofthedarkskies.Wechose to stay on a farmhouse in the Gibbston Valley, near a designated Dark Sky Park, away from the city's glow. Thefarmhousewascloseenoughto Queenstown for convenience yet nestled deep in the countryside, accessibleonlybyadirtroad.Aswe pulled in, we were greeted by the farm’s resident cat, chickens, and sheep without another soul in sight,notevenadistantneighbour.
After settling in and refreshing ourselves, we stepped outside for therealtreat:thesky.Thenightwas flawless,withoutawispofcloud.We sankintothelawnchairs,immersed inthestillness.Heavens!
Thelightswereout,andalowhillto the west formed a dark silhouette, shieldingusfromanystrayglow.
Ittakesabout20-25minutesforour pupilstoadjusttothedarknessand begin to capture the faintest of lights in our field of vision. Slowly, the stars emerged, filling the sky, a canvas dotted with thousands of shimmering jewels. We gasped in awe.
The Southern sky! We are novices when it comes to astronomy just casually interested in celestial wonders andjusteagerto soak in thebeautyandmagnificenceofthe universe. Using the Stellarium app on my phone, we identified several prominent stars: the bright Canopus,Arcturus,andthenebulae OrionandCarina.
The Carina Nebula, incidentally, is visible only from the Southern Hemisphere.
I had brought my digital telescope along and promptly set it up to image some deep-sky objects. I wasn’t disappointed. I was thrilled to capture a beautiful picture of Carina—acosmicmasterpiece.
Here it is. While we can't see such vivid details with the naked eye, a telescoperevealstherichnessofthe sky. This image has been colourcorrectedforvisualclarity.
The Carina constellation lies about 7,500 light-years away and is home to over 14,000 stars, including a dozen that are 100 times more massiveandbrighterthanourSun. Amazing, isn’t it?
Rons Bantwal honoured with KUWJ Achiever Special Award
Daijiworld Media Network –Koppal
Koppal, Mar 10: The 39th state convention of the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) was held on Sunday March 9 at the Siddhartha Institute of Technology
auditoriuminKoppal.Theeventwas presided over by KUWJ state presidentShivanandaTagadur. The convention witnessed the presence of prominent dignitaries including Shivraj S Tangadagi, minister for Kannada, culture, and backward classes welfare and Koppal district in-charge; K V Prabhakar, media advisor to the chief minister; Prof B K Ravi, vice chancellorofKoppalUniversity;and Koppal MLA Raghavendra Hitnal, amongothers.
Duringtheawardsceremony,Rons
Bantwal, president of the Maharashtra unit of KUWJ, was honoured with the KUWJ Achiever SpecialAward. Therecognitionwasbestowedupon him for his significant contributions to the fields of media and social service.KUWJgeneralsecretaryGC Lokesh highlighted that Bantwal’s exceptional service in these sectors wasthereasonforthishonour.
Mangaluru: Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy announces honorary, book awards for 2024
Pics:SpoorthiUllal
Daijiworld Media NetworkMangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 13: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has announced its honorary and book
awards for 2024, academy president StanyAlvaressaid.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, March 13, he said the awardswillbepresentedonMarch23 at Konkani Bhavan, Vijayanagar, Mysuru,inaneventorganizedbythe Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy
in association with the Konkani ChristianAssociation,Mysuru.
Top:PatrickCamilMoras,Joel Pereira,SobinaMothesh Kambrekar
Bottom:ValerianSequiera,Palva Ponth
Honoraryawards:
• Konkani Literature: Patrick CamilMoras KonkaniArt: JoelPereira
• Konkani Folk: Sobina MotheshKambrekar
Bookawards:
• Felcy Lobo – Palva Ponth(poetry)
• Valerian Sequiera – Shetham BatamThotamni(novel)
The honorary awards carry a cash prize of Rs 50,000, while the book awardscomewithRs25,000each.
The award ceremony will be inaugurated by Chamaraja constituency MLA K Harish Gowda and presided over by academy president Stany Alvares. MLC
Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLC Dr Thimayya, Rajyotsava awardee
ValerianD’Souza,andjointdirectorof theKannadaandCultureDepartment, Mysuru region, V N Mallikarjuna Swamy,willbetheguestsofhonor.
“We received Rs 58 lac in funding for the academy last year and have requested Rs 1 crore this year,” Alvaressaid.
He further mentioned that Rs 2-3 crore is needed to complete the construction of Konkani Bhavan at Urwa, which remains unfinished. “We are doing our best to secure the necessary funds to complete the work,” he added.
Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy members Naveen Lobo, Ronald Crasta, Elias Fernandes, and otherswerepresent.
Painzonnam by APD Music had all theingredientstotinkletheKonkani music world from it’s stunning music, Shilpa Cutinha’s magnificent voice, Rohan & Venisha’s chemistry and the beautiful choreography in UK’s exotic locations.
Talking about the lead pair in the music video, chemistry between Rohan and Venisha Fernandes was
remarkably elegant and the outfits seemed so well adding to their character’saura.Thecolorpaletteof their clothes was so eye-catching and impeccably styled, really bringing their characters to life. Rohan’s naughty look and innocent smile could make young girls go weak in their knees while Venisha’s charismatic presence is irresistible.
The locations selected for each scene is commendable. This reminds of Yash Raj movies in mid
and late 90’s where the songs used to be shot in exotic European locations turning it to be spectacularly beautiful. The camera work has been done brilliantly. The quality of the video is so superior that it is almost difficult to believe that it was entirely shot and edited onanIphone.Theattentiontodetail in the framing and perspective was veryimpressive. Choreography was decent though the group dance in the middle of the frames were not
required. However, there could be a difference of opinion as well.
VanilVeigasandAjithPeterD’souza, the duo who are responsible for the
music and lyrics, have always delivered string of chart-topping hits, creating pure magic. The music perfectly elevates the lyrics and the magical voice of Shilpa Cutinha just adding icing on the cake. Her voice is so captivating and distinctive, it remains in the heart long after the song ends.
The song was premiered on Youtube Channel of APD music on Dec 21, 2024. The link of the music video is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?7
pTQL25MDcU,incaseifyouwantto experience the romance& soothing music for this weekend.
My personal ratings for the overall
project would be 4.0 out of 5. The music video was fantastic and will takeyoutoadreamworldtobelieve in fairy-tale love stories. Konkani music lovers should support our artists as there are very few geniuses who are highly active and presentanunwaveringcommitment
Hey folks,
I just read the review about the show 'Ms Meena and Family' in
towardscreativity,andAPDisoneof them.
Please let us know your thoughts about the music video and the review. We will try to bring reviews of other projects to our next edition very soon.
About the Author:
Prinson D’lima is an alumnus from Aloysius Institute of Business Management, Mangalore and currently residing in Doha-Qatar, with 17 years of experience in the field of advertising media in India and Qatar.
the Veezkonkani paper and loved it. It was very refreshing article and I wanted to pass on the kudos to your team.
Looking forward to seeing more articles like this in the paper on shows/films!
Regards, Keith
Congratulations to my student Nora for winning first place in the ‘Lions Singing Stars 2024-25’ singingcontest!Herdedicationand passion for music have truly paid off, and it’s because of her hard workand commitmentthat she has achieved this milestone. I am so proud of her and wish her the best for her futureCongratulations to her proud parents Dsouza Precilla AnilMendonsa.
Utsav 2025: A Grand Celebration of Marcel D’Souza’s (Machcha, Milaar) Literary Legac
March2,2025 – Mangaluru:Theair was thick with nostalgia and joy as eminent Konkani writer *Marcel D’Souza (Machcha Milaar) hosted *Utsav2025,agrandeventmarking three significant milestones in his literary journey. The evening saw the *10th anniversary of Angel Communication, the **20th anniversary of Genesis Prakashan, and the **celebration of his 70th birthday*, bringing together family, friends, and literary enthusiasts to honor his contributions to Konkani
literature.
*ALiteraryStalwart:MarcelD’Souza (Machcha Milaar)*
A name synonymous with the evolution of Konkani literature, *Machcha Milaar* has been a guiding force in preserving and promotingthelanguage.Hisworks, spanning poetry, prose, and critical essays, have shaped contemporary Konkani literature, earning him the *Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Award 2023*. In November 2024. From his early days as a passionate writer to becoming a widely respected literary figure, his journey has been marked by relentless dedication to the language and its literary expression.
His path to the Sahitya Award was paved with 50 years of writing that resonated deeply with readers. His thought-provoking essays, evocative poetry, and compelling
narrativeshavenotonlyentertained but also educated, instilling a renewed sense of pride in Konkani literature.
*Angel Communication: A Decade of Banking business
Founded by Marcel D’Souza in *2014,**AngelCommunication*has been a beacon for migrated labourers providing a banking service for transfer of funds. Over the years, it has provided good customer service and developed good relationships with customers and won the trust of the customers for the past 10 years. His past and present staff were honored by him on this occasion.
Genesis Prakashan: 20 Years of Publishing Excellence*
Established in *2004, **Genesis Prakashan*hasplayedapivotalrole in publishing quality Konkani literature. Specializing in fiction, poetry, and literary criticism, it has been instrumental in keeping Konkani literature alive in a rapidly changing world. Under Marcel D’Souza’sguidance,thisPublication contributed significantly to the
growth of Konkani literature and published16booksupto2024.Five translated books in Konkani were released on this occasion.
*An Evening of Poetry and Celebration*
Addingtothefestivities,theliterary group*Poetica*,ledby*Mr.Naveen Pereia Surathkal, captivated the audience with their humor-laced Konkani poetry. Their lively performances sent waves of laughter through the crowd, proving that Konkani poetry remains as vibrant as ever. The evening concluded with an interactivevotingsession,wherethe
audience crowned the best performance of the night, and awarded prize money to Mr. Richie Pereira making Utsav 2025 a truly memorable event.
Asthe celebrationsdrew toa close, it was evident that *Marcel D’Souza’s (Machcha, Milaar) influence on Konkani literature and his legacy continues to inspire, ensuring that Konkani thrives for generations to come. Mr. Marcel DSouza welcomed and his wife proposed vote of thanks. Theprogramme wascompeeredby Mrs.NishaMenezes.
AnIntercollegiateCulturalFestorganizedby the CulturalAssociation at St.AloysiusDegreeCollege
Srujanotsav 2025, an annual intercollegiate cultural fest, was heldat St. AloysiusDegree College, Cox town, Bengaluru under the aegis of the Cultural Association. The event aimed at bringing
together students from various colleges to showcase their artistic talentsandfostercreativity.Thefest served as a platform to promote cultural exchange, team spirit, and artisticexpression,allwhilecreating an environment of friendly competition. It successfully gathered a variety of participants highlighting the diverse creative capabilities of youth in today’s landscape. The fest took place on 14th March 2025 to showcase their talents.Theeventwashostedatthe St. Aloysius Degree College with different parts of the campus utilizedforspecificcompetitions. Thefestfeaturedawidearrayof competitions spanning multiple domains, each designed to test the participants’ creativity, teamwork, and individual flair. The major categories included Dance Performances,Mime,Face-painting,
Mehandi, Pencil Sketching, Short FilmandReelmaking.
The fest wasgraced byesteemed guests from various walks of life. TheChiefGuestforthefestwasProf RajeevGowda – FormerMember of Rajya Sabha and the Guest of HonourforthedaywasMsChristina – An Alumni & amp; Social Media InfluenceralongwithMr.Santhosh–AnAlumniandtheVicePresidentof Youth Congress Chikkabalapur. We were also pleased to have with us Adv. Anil D’zousa & Mr. Pericho Prabhu, their presence added motivation, and the event was overseen by the Chief PatronsRev Fr Anthony MahendranManager, Dr. Sr. SagayamaryPrincipal and Rev Fr Vinoo FabianVicePrincipal.
The event was meticulously organized by the Cultural Association of St. Aloysius Degree College,withanefficientorganizing committee overseeing logistics, registrations, and coordination betweendifferentevents.Wehada total of 11 Colleges who had registeredforthefest.
Overall, Srujanotsav 2025 was an outstanding success, bringing together students from across the
region to celebrate their creative talents and cultural diversity. The fest provided an excellent opportunity for participants to showcase their skills, learn from experts, and collaborate with like-
Philomena Lawrence & Gilbert Lawrence
minded individuals. The event not only celebrated the artistic and intellectual potential of youth but alsofostereda senseofcommunity amongthecolleges.
Authors:InsightsintoColonialGoa(5th Edition). PublishedbyAmazon/Kindle Fordetailsaboutthebookandauthors see: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D QPYSL1F?ref_=pe_93986420_77495 7520
