Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra celebrated 26th Konkani Recognition Day and 76th Annual day at the Saraswati Mandir Education Society School Hall, Senapati Bapat Marg, Mahim on Saturday, 18th August, 2018. The programme commenced at 6.30 pm when 2 minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ex Prime Minister of India, who passed away on 16th August, 2018.

The brief cultural programme started with a welcome dance by Ms. Ainish Mathias followed by beautiful singing and dance performances by the kids and youngsters from Kanjur Marg, Mahakali, Malvani, Mira Road etc. Tony Martins with his group entertained the crowd with hilarious comedy skit “Beuxellim Sannam lagtat Godd”.

Shri Antony Sequeria, MD., Arcadia Share & Stock Brokers Pvt. Ltd was the Chief Guest of the day who called upon all Konkani people to speak in Konkani and preserve its rich culture while he expressed his happiness that last year we had twin celebrations of Platinum Jubilee of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra along with Silver Jubilee of Konkani Recognition Day on 20th August 2017 and also the session of AIKP Parishad held in Mumbai after a gap of 20 years on 6th & 7th January 2018.
Shri Girish S. Pikale, Pikale &Co. Advocates and Managing Trustee of Saraswati Mandir Education Society Trust, was the Guest of Honour who expressed his happiness that his late father Shri S. V. Pikale, erstwhile President of KBMM was instrumental in its Registration.

President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra Shri John D’Silva, Vice President Shri Albert W. D’Souza, Chairman Shri Henry Lobo, General Secretary Shri Lawrence D’Souza, Kamani, Joint Secretary Shri John R. Pereira and Treasurer Shri Walter D’Souza, Jerimeri were on the dais. Shri John D’Silva welcomed the gathering.

The Konkani Film & Stage artiste Smt Beatrice Josephine Fernandes aka Betty Naz was honoured for her rich contribution to Konkani culture with Lifetime Achievement Award-2018 (Fruits, Flowers, Shawl, Citation and a purse) during the occasion. Smt. Benedicta Rebello, Director of Model Co-Operative Bank Ltd. as well as Social Worker and Shri Denzil Walter D’Souza, Gold Medalist in Power lifting were also honoured during the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President Shri Albert W. D’Souza remembered the sacrifice by Konkani stalwarts like Shri Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag who established the All India Konkani Parishad during the year 1939 in Karwar and the greats like Shenoy Goem Bab were instrumental in establishing the Konkani Bhasha Mandal in Mumbai now Maharashtra during the 3rd session of the All India Konkani Parishad held in Mumbai in the year 1942. He also paid rich homage to late Shri J. B. Moraes, late Shri J. B. Sequeira along with late Shri G M B Rodrigues who were responsible for reviving the defunct Konkani Bhasha Mandal in1992. The Konkani Bhasha Mandal Maharashtra celebrated its Platinum Jubilee along with Silver Jubilee of the Konkani recognition day last year on 20th August 2017, he said.

The Chairman Shri Henry Lobo released a beautiful Brochure brought out on Konkani Day 2018. The Chief Guest Shri Antony Sequeira distributed Pratibha Puraskar-2018 Awards for the meritorious children of members for excellence in academics and sports. Also, the prizes, viz. Trophies along with certificates to the winners of the Talent contest-2018 in Elocution, Dance and Singing were distributed during the function.

The event was well compered by Shri Cyril Castelino and Shri Leo Fernandes, Jerimeri.

Shri Lawrence D’Souza, Kamani proposed the vote of Thanks. The programme ended with delicious Dinner.