Mangaluru: Lourdes Central School on Saturday celebrated the 25th Konkani Manyata Divas with great enthusiasam.

The programme began with a prayer song by the Konkani learning students of class 7.

The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza, manager Lourdes Central School, Fr Robert D’Souza, principal, Bleita Mascarenhas, vice principal, Konkani teacher Ivan Mascarenhas, and two students.

Suwin D’Souza of class 7 highlighted the importance of Manyata Day.

Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza, presided over the function. He greeted all students on the occasion of Konkani Manyata Divas and highlighted the importance of learning the mother tongue Konkani which is rich in culture. He also expressed that the mother tongue had its own beauty and that one could express its love when speaking the language. He congratulated the students for opting Konkani as the third language.

Principal Fr Robert D’Souza in his message congratulated all the students learning Konkani as the third language. He also highlighted about Konkani being a rich language with different cultures. "We have to keep the culture and tradition of our mother tongue alive," he said.

Over 77 students who learn Konkani in class 6,7 and 8 were present for the programme.

A Konkani group dance was presented by the Konkani learning students of class 8. It was a day of joy for all the Konkani Learning students as they participated in the programme.

A sumptuous treat was given to the students. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ria Ritha D’Souza of class 8.

Nessa D’Mello of class 8 welcomed the gathering. Auryn D’Costa of class 8 compered the programme under the guidance of music and Konkani teacher Ivan Mascarenhas.