Mangalore, Mar 6: Ronald Sebastian Castelino, popularly known as Roy Castelino, officially took charge as the new president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Government of Karnataka in the city on Thursday.
On the occasion, Mr Castelino accepted the authority of the academy for the term of 2014-2017 along with the notification copy of the appointment from Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo, in the presence of former academy presidents Basti Vaman Shenoy, Eric Ozario, K Narayan Kharvi and Kasargod Chinna.
Along with Mr Castelino, 10 new members were inducted into the academy. Dr Aravind Shanubagh, Dr Chetan S Nayak, Ashok Kasarkod, Kamalaksha Shet, Shekhar Gowda, Jayaram Narayana Siddhi, M M Meeran, Dr Varija Nirebail, Mamatha Kamath and Yakoob Ahmed were inducted as members of the academy for the term of 2104-2017.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that he would strive for the development of Konkani language and culture. “My aim is integrated growth and development of Konkani language and culture, for which a lot of support and encouragement is necessary. Konkani also needs support from its readers,” he said, adding that he would work along with Mohan Pai for the development of the language.
He urged the Konkani-speaking communities to promote Konkani language, literature and culture amidst the threat of extinction of regional languages.
Mr Lobo stressed on the need to cultivate the language among school children and students belonging to the various Konkani-speaking communities for its growth.
On the occasion, Kasargod Chinna said that the Konkani academy had worked hard for its propagation and equal rights in the state. “The language of Konkani is not limited to one community, but is the mother-tongue of 41 communities across three religions. We need to work towards the propagation of Konkani so that it reaches all the communities,” he stressed.
Basti Vaman Shenoy, Eriz Ozario and Narayan Kharvi also spoke on the occasion.
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