Mangaluru, January 24: The annual Sandesha Awards; 24th of its kind, instituted by Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education were conferred on six eminent achievers on Friday, January 23rd.
Renowned veteran Konkani singer Henry D’Souza, noted Tulu actor Navin D Padil (art), Dr C Veeranna (literature), Dr Jayamala Ramachandra (media), and Jayalaxmi Damle (best teacher) received the awards in a ceremony held at Sandesha premises in the city.
Gopal Kharvi, Guinness record holding swimmer was presented the Sandesha Special Recognition Award. The selection was made by a jury which consisted of Na D’Souza, Dr Na Damodar Shetty, Sara Abubakker, Chandrakala Nandavar, Eric Ozario and Richard Louis.
Rev Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Puttur diocese presided over the ceremony and presented the awards.
Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza Bishop of Ballari Dr Henry D’Souza, were chief guests on the occasion.
Noted literary figure Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi was the guest of honour. Na D’Souza, president of the jury committee, Fr Ivan Pinto, Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Sahithya Academy and Fr Jayaprakash D’Souza were also present on the dais.
Henry D’Souza who received the Sandesha Konkani Music Award said that he was born in a remote area away from city. But still he made it big in Konkani music. He thanked all his fans from all over the globe for supporting him.
Dr C Veeranna who received the Sandesha Literature Award, said “The freedom of writers has been curbed. If a writer from Tamil Nadu declares in social media that the writer in him is dead and if a book is banned in Karnataka for its open views, it means freedom of expression is in danger”.
Dr Jayamala Ramachandra who received the Sandesha Media Award said “I have acted in more than 75 films in various languages. My path was not a bed of roses. I struggled a lot in life to reach here. The sea and sand of this land made me strong. I am proud to be a daughter of this land. Sadly Dakshina Kannada is not as mighty as before. Religious harmony does not exist like before. Let us try to bring back the past glory”.
Navin D Padil after receiving the Sandesha Art Award said, “I am very happy to receive this award in the presence of eminent people. I thank everybody who helped me to grow as an artiste.”
Jayalaxmi Damle who received the Sandesha Best Teacher Award expressed the way in which each child is unique. She said, “Each child is different and unique. All the children may excel in curriculum, but they are good in one or the other aspects. Each child acts differently for social, cultural and economic reasons. But all of them possess some inborn treasure in them. Let us bring out the best in them. I am happy about my achievements as a teacher”.
Gopal Kharvi who received the Sandesha Special Recognition Award said, “I had achieved the Guinness Record in 2012. But for some technical reasons it was not recorded. Then again I tried and made sure that I did it. I am the first Konkani speaking person to achieve this. I thank Eric Ozario and all those who helped me”.
Rev Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Puttur diocese during presidential speech asked the people to devote time for more practice in any form of art. Reverend Bishop who himself is an accomplished Carnatic singer and violinist emphasized the point of good deeds in life in order to be a good human being.
Boluvaru Mohammed Kunhi said, “As mentioned by Dr Jayamala, tensions prevail here. On a serious note, I request the organizers to give 20 awards to the youth every year so that they do not take the wrong path in life. People in the society do wrong acts because they are not recognized. When one is recognized, he does not venture into wrong things”.
Fr Victor Vijay Lobo welcomed the gathering.
Vote of thanks was proposed by Fr Ivan Pinto and Mallika Ajith Shetty compered the programme.
Cultural programmes were also performed on this occasion.
Titus Noronha, convener of Sandesha media committee, Fr Denis D’sa, Luvi J Pinto, Fr Francis Rodrigues, Fr Richard D’Souza, Melwyn Peris, Sr Antony Mary, Vincy Pinto, were present among others.
