*TSKK AWARDS* This year Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) will honor the veteran Konknni writer of religious literature Fr Almir de Sousa as the nineteenth recipient of Kendra’s Prestigious Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar (APKP). Fr Almir will receive this award for the year 2009 for his valuable contribution to Konknni literature in the field of religious literature in Roman script. The award consists of a shawl, memento and cash Rs. 25,000/-.
Fr. Almir was born on 17.01.1934 at Saligão, Goa. He did his priestly studies at Rachol Seminary in Goa; Gregorian University, Rome; and at Lumen Vitae, Brussels. He was ordained as a priest on 18 December 1960. He has written and edited 25 Konknni books. Some of the important books are *Utor ani Jivit* a Series containing of five books; *Magnneacho Turo* 6 booklets, *Somiachem Jevonn, Mis* and 8 books of Konknni Catechism. Fr. Almir held many responsible positions in the Goa Archdiocese. He has served as the prefect of Saligão Seminary, Pro-Notary in Archbishop’s House, Secretary of Diocesan Catechetical Centre, Secretary of Diocesan Liturgical Centre, and Director of Pastoral Centre. He has served as a Parish Priest at St. Estevão and Verna. At present he is the Parish priest of Ucassaim in Bardes taluka. He started the Parish bulletins *St. Estevanchi Zap* and *Vernechi Zap* at St. Estevão and Verna respectively. At Ucassaim he improved the parish bulletin *Zagruti*. Fr. Almir has promoted Konknni in liturgical and other religious services. For the last two years TSKK gives an award ‘*Konknni Martir Florian Vaz Puroskar’* for the best Konknni book of the calendar year written in Roman script. For the year 2008 *Zoit* poetry book of Walter Menezes from Quepem has been selected. Walter Menezes is a noted Konknni writer. Besides Konknni, he writes articles in English. The award consists of a shawl, memento and cash Rs. 5,000/-. Both these awards and Lourenço and Umbelina de Souza scholarship to Ms Concy Fernandes from Vasco will be given during the public function at TSKK premises, Alto Porvorim on Tuesday, 28 April 2009 at 5.30 pm by the Chief Guest, Mr. Pandharinath Lotlikar, the Ex-Director of Doordarshan Kendr, Panaji. This function is open to the public.
