Mangaluru: The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone to Konkani’s most ambitious project – the Konkani Museum, on April 21, 2016, at Kalaangann, Mangaluru.

This world-class anthropological Konkani Museum, estimated to cost around Rs. 30 crore, promoted by World’s Premier Konkani Cultural Organisation, Mandd Sobhann, will be showcasing the unique and rare, rich and diverse Konkani culture of Konkanis belonging to all regions, religions, communities and dialects, and will be the largest Konkani Museum, anywhere in the world. The Museum will be set-up on a one-acre-plot adjacent to Kalaangann.

NRI entrepreneur Shri Ronald Colaco presented the key-note address and explained the need for a world-class museum in Konkani. He said that Mandd Sobhann works tirelessly for the preservation, promotion and enrichment of Konkani culture, so that it can be passed on to future generations.

Shri B. Ramanath Rai, the Chief Guest, unveiled the names of the Founder Directors and Founder Members carved on a marble slab. All Founder Directors and Founder Members of the Konkani Museum were honoured at the hands of the Chief Minister.

Shri Siddaramaiah congratulated Mandd Sobhann and assured financial assistance in the future too. Addressing Konkani as Kannada’s sister language, he expressed his gratitude to the notable contribution that Konkanis have made towards the state. He wished the Konkani Museum to be a resource that will display the cultural variety of Konkani. The Chief Minister was felicitated by Mandd Sobhann with a garland, ‘urmal’, a shawl and a memento and all dignitaries present on stage were honoured with a shawl.

The cultural programme, which was held prior to the stage programme, included performances from the Kharvi Kala Mandd, Bhatkal; Nava Siddi Pangadd, Mundgod; Kudumi Kala Tandd, Swamilapadavu; Mother Theresa Brass Band, Honnavar and the Sumell choir of Mandd Sobhann.

MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency Shri J. R. Lobo presided over the programme. Mandd Sobhann President, Shri Louis J. Pinto welcomed the gathering and Gurkar, Shri Eric Ozario proposed the vote of thanks. Shri Victor Mathias compered the programme.

Ministers Shri U. T. Khader & Shri Abhay Chandra Jain; Shri Oscar Fernandes, MP; Smt. Shakuntala Shetty, MLA; Shri Ivan D’Souza, MLC; President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Shri Roy Castelino; Janab Arshad Mohtesham, Shri Pradeep Pai, Shri Ronald Mendonca and others were present on stage.