DALGADO KONKNNI AKADEMI Panjim, Goa: The prestigious Mons. Dalgado Puroskar - 2005 award was conferred on Fr. Vasco do Rego S.J. by Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop Patriarch of Goa & Daman at special function organized by Dalgado Konknni Akademi to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mons. Sebastiao Rudolf Dalgado, yesterday at Caritas Hall, Panjim.
Mons. Dalgado Puroskar 2005 carries a shawl, a citation, a memento and Rs. 50,000. The function began with a prayer song. Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao garlanded the portrait of Mons. Dalgado and lighted the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of Mons. Dalgado Year from 8th May 2005 to 8th May 2006 Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrao appealed Goans to use the mother tongue Konkani in their daily lives. He stressed the importance of Konkani language and asked Goans to be proud of their mother tongue. He assured his support for Dalgado Konknni Akademi to carry the message of Mons. Dalgado to the people in the villages. He congratulated Fr. Vasco do Rego for being the first recipient of Dalgado Puroskar and complimented him for doing great service to Konkani language. Remembering Mons. Dalgado, he asked today's youth to follow Dalgado's example particularly his love towards Konkani language. Dr. Nandakumar Kamat, the guest of honour, expressed that Dalgado's 150th anniversary should have been celebrated by the Government and all other institutions working for the development of Konkani because Mons. Dalgado's contribution to Konkani language was immense. Highlighting Dalgado's qualities as a scholar, researcher, linguist, writer and lover of Konkani language, he remarked that Mons. Dalgado was a gift of 19th century to Goa, India and to the world. Fr. Vasco do Rego thanked Dalgado Konknni Akademi for honouring him with the award. He narrated his experiences of struggle and satisfaction during 40 years of his dedicated service to Konkani in Roman script. Earlier Tomazinho Cardozo, President of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, in his welcome speech, informed that the year from 8th May 2005 to 8th May 2006 will be observed as Mons. Dalgado Year and that programs to create awareness about Konkani and Goan Indentity will be organized through out Goa. He also informed the audience that Dalgado Konknni Akademi was formed in order to support the writers of Konkani in Roman script, as these writers do not get any financial assistance from any quarters. Dr. Pratap Naik S.J. spoke on the life of Mons. Dalgado. Wilson Mazarelo read the citation. Vincy Quadros proposed the vote of thanks. Jose Salvador Fernandes compered the function. Tomazinho Cardozo, President
