Padma Shri for two Goans HERALD REPORTER
Maria Couto awarded for literature, Fr Romualdo for education PANJIM, JAN 25 Noted literary personality Dr Maria Aurora Couto and renowned academician Fr Romualdo de Souza have been named by Government of India in a list of 81 selected for the Padma Shri awards. The two Goans figure among a list of prominent personalities like cricketer Virendra Sehwag, Formula 1 driver Narain Kartikeyan, Badminton star Saina Nehwal, Boxer Vijender Singh and Sachin Tendulkar’s ‘guru’ Ramakant Achrekar. An announcement made on Monday by the Central government said that Dr Maria Aurora’s selection for Padma award is for literature and Fr Romualdo’s for education. “It’s incredible”, was how Dr Maria Auroa reacted on hearing that she had been selected for the prestigious Padma award. “I feel honoured and humbled”, she said when contacted by Herald. Dr Maria Auroro has contributed articles for UK’s literary publications. She has authored Graham Greene: On the Frontier, Politics and Religion in the Novels (Macmillan, London 1986). In Goa, she wrote the much-reviewed Goa: A Daughter’s Story (Viking/Penguin 2004). This was followed by a literary translation of Braganza Pereira’s book in 2007. Besides, she has for a long time been devoting lot of time for Konkani literature. “I wish I could do more for Konkani,” she said. The writer said work is a good reward and when recognition comes, “it’s an honour I accept with humility”. Fr Romualdo is a big name in the management education sector. He founded Xavier’s Institute of management in Jamshedpur and later shot to fame with another such institute in Bhubaneshwar which was listed as one of the top ones in the country. In Goa, Fr Romualdo, a Jesuit priest, was one of the founders of the famed Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Ribandar. Currently he is helping to set up Marian Educational Institute. “What should I say… We don’t work for awards and recognition”, was what Fr Romualdo said after his name was announced. Nonetheless, he said he was thankful to Government of India for the recognition bestowed on him for the work he has done over the years. http://oheraldo.in/news/Main Page News/Padma-Shri-for-two-Goans/32716.html
