To mark Konkani’s inclusion into the VIII Schedule in the Constitution of Indian National Languages, KONKANI DAY was celebrated on 29th of August 2008 at 6.00 p.m. in Kuwait. The function was organized by Konkani Kullvar, a well known Mangalorean Association under the leadership of noted literary figure Lancy Pinto Nayak in a packed hall at Indian Community Senior Girls School, Salmiya. During my last 3 decades in Kuwait I always attend Mangalorean functions and fortunately for me they also invite me. I don’t think there is anybody amongst Goans who mixed up and wrote about their functions as I have done and will do so too in future till I am in Kuwait and till I am alive. Though due to linguistic barrier I find it rather difficult to follow them yet I am very much familiar with their activities. They have been under Konkani Kullvar organsing this day regularly. They deserve compliments for keeping the Konkani awakening moving on. While they kept on moving we Goans kept on remaining silence. We Goans fought for the Konkani language so much yet we forgot this day in Kuwait. I salute my Mangalorean brothers and sisters under Konkani Kullvar for remembering this day. I not only remembered this day but on this occasion I also remembered how much physically I suffered during the Konkani agitation in Goa in eighties when I especially went to Goa to participate in the agitation at Panjim, Goa. While participating in this agitation, I received lathis and blows from the Ghantti Police Force of Marathi oriented Goa Government of Rane. I very vividly remember how I joined the fast at Azad Maidan Panjim in support of Konkani. Besides, I along with my other Kuwaitkars spent so much of money for the cause of Konkani and to realize this day.
The function consisted of songs by different singers individually and jointly and children dance items culminating into a grand finale with a nice and very philosophical play “Dantak Dant, Dolleak Dollo” in which Ida D’Silva and Shaan Bondel excelled. But Ida stole the whole show by her superb acting. Her actions, delivery of the words, immaculate appearance, attractive dress codes, beautiful looks and appropriate presentation were of superlative degree. She gave an impression that she is a thorough professional artiste. Top and reputed Goan directors should make use of her stage talent in Kuwait and make Goan community aware of the jewel we have in Mangalorean community.
The dance items of children gained them lot of affection and they were well choreographed. The musical score provided by all the 5 musicians deserves appreciation. They not only played a high profile music with high profile musical instruments in their hands but in their personal, professional and educational background they were also high profile. I salute them for being all round high profile because Konkani Mae needs high profile promoters, followers and supporters to challenge the enemies of Konkani who many times downgrade us as if we are of low standard and they are of high. Konkani now is in not into the hands of Ladru and Pedru but highly advanced people, highly literate and highly qualified people. Lancy Pinto Nayak, Konkani Kulvar, members and followers of Konkani Kulvar are of this high status. Among all the talented musicians, I single out the Trumpeter for attracting more attention though others played their roles excellently. The blowing instrument always create sensation. 
During the function, 5 persons were honoured, namely Lawry Pinto and two pairs – husbands and wives: Francis & Mrs. Jacinta D’Souza and John & Mrs. Ida D’Silva. During the honouring ceremony Francis, Ida and Lawry Pinto spoke thanking the Konkani Kullvar for honouring them thus. The best thanks giving speech was delivered by Ida who yet again proved how smart she is. Her speech and eloquence was like that of a great intellectual orator full of philosophy. She is one of the best orators on Konkani platform at the moment in Kuwait and this excellence of her I have been observing since many years now. Her husband John maintained the full fledged decorum and decency by being formal in his dress code while receiving the honour. Receiving such an honour from such a great organization Konkani Kullvar in the midst of galaxy of great audience is something to be remembered for long time and as such the recipients should maintain the dignity and decorum of the function. John D’Silva maintained it because he is highly dignified, educated, discipined and moved in high profile society.
Konkani is not the monopoly of any singular community. Everybody fought for Konkani and everybody preserved it. Keeping in view of this day, Konkani Kullvar should have introduced some items from Goans to give a non-sectarian image of the function. It is not Mangalorean only who are keeping the Konkani alive, Goans and others too but among all, Goans worked more and harder to realize this day. Let there be a fusion of all in the next Konkani Day. Mangaloreans and Goans are having the same roots though due to geographical barriers because of historical mishaps we are splitted.
The chief guest of the function Mr. Marian L. D’Souza, Suda – Senior Manager, General Audit at The Bank of Kuwait & the Middle East in his speech highlighted his personal contribution as a Konkani stage artiste whom 3 decades back I also saw in the Church Hall performing in the Konkani shows along with the then gigantic Mangaloren artistes. His love for Konkani and Konkani musical art is still the same though physical receding is visible. He very much appreciated the role of Konkani Kullvar.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
The function consisted of songs by different singers individually and jointly and children dance items culminating into a grand finale with a nice and very philosophical play “Dantak Dant, Dolleak Dollo” in which Ida D’Silva and Shaan Bondel excelled. But Ida stole the whole show by her superb acting. Her actions, delivery of the words, immaculate appearance, attractive dress codes, beautiful looks and appropriate presentation were of superlative degree. She gave an impression that she is a thorough professional artiste. Top and reputed Goan directors should make use of her stage talent in Kuwait and make Goan community aware of the jewel we have in Mangalorean community.
The dance items of children gained them lot of affection and they were well choreographed. The musical score provided by all the 5 musicians deserves appreciation. They not only played a high profile music with high profile musical instruments in their hands but in their personal, professional and educational background they were also high profile. I salute them for being all round high profile because Konkani Mae needs high profile promoters, followers and supporters to challenge the enemies of Konkani who many times downgrade us as if we are of low standard and they are of high. Konkani now is in not into the hands of Ladru and Pedru but highly advanced people, highly literate and highly qualified people. Lancy Pinto Nayak, Konkani Kulvar, members and followers of Konkani Kulvar are of this high status. Among all the talented musicians, I single out the Trumpeter for attracting more attention though others played their roles excellently. The blowing instrument always create sensation.
During the function, 5 persons were honoured, namely Lawry Pinto and two pairs – husbands and wives: Francis & Mrs. Jacinta D’Souza and John & Mrs. Ida D’Silva. During the honouring ceremony Francis, Ida and Lawry Pinto spoke thanking the Konkani Kullvar for honouring them thus. The best thanks giving speech was delivered by Ida who yet again proved how smart she is. Her speech and eloquence was like that of a great intellectual orator full of philosophy. She is one of the best orators on Konkani platform at the moment in Kuwait and this excellence of her I have been observing since many years now. Her husband John maintained the full fledged decorum and decency by being formal in his dress code while receiving the honour. Receiving such an honour from such a great organization Konkani Kullvar in the midst of galaxy of great audience is something to be remembered for long time and as such the recipients should maintain the dignity and decorum of the function. John D’Silva maintained it because he is highly dignified, educated, discipined and moved in high profile society.Konkani is not the monopoly of any singular community. Everybody fought for Konkani and everybody preserved it. Keeping in view of this day, Konkani Kullvar should have introduced some items from Goans to give a non-sectarian image of the function. It is not Mangalorean only who are keeping the Konkani alive, Goans and others too but among all, Goans worked more and harder to realize this day. Let there be a fusion of all in the next Konkani Day. Mangaloreans and Goans are having the same roots though due to geographical barriers because of historical mishaps we are splitted.
The chief guest of the function Mr. Marian L. D’Souza, Suda – Senior Manager, General Audit at The Bank of Kuwait & the Middle East in his speech highlighted his personal contribution as a Konkani stage artiste whom 3 decades back I also saw in the Church Hall performing in the Konkani shows along with the then gigantic Mangaloren artistes. His love for Konkani and Konkani musical art is still the same though physical receding is visible. He very much appreciated the role of Konkani Kullvar.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
