Mangalore : The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy inaugurated its first-ever Konkani Club at a ceremony held in Rosario auditorium here on Thursday July 3.

Fr J B Crasta, parish priest of Rosario church inaugurated the first Konkani Club in presence of Roy Castelino President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy.

Speaking in his presidential address Roy Castelino said, the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has submitted a proposal to the State government to establish a Konkani study chair in Mangalore University.

He said that correspondences have been made with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister for Higher Education R V Deshpanade and Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree in this regard.

The ministers have promised to initiate measures. We have high hopes on the government of setting up the chair to carry out research on Konkani,” he said.

Speaking about the Konkani club, he said the club is first of its kind and is a step towards popularising Konkani in educational institutions.

It also aims at encouraging Konkani literary and linguistic activities in schools and colleges. Konkani club will be started in other schools in the near future.

At least 50 clubs will be started in the schools by year end, he added.

Konkani is being taught as third optional subject in 100 schools in the district.

About 1,500 students are pursuing Konkani as a language in schools.

The language has also been taught in colleges. Rosario, Padua and Pompei PU Colleges have started teaching Konkani as an optional subject from this academic year.

The Academy President said that the Academy is planning to publish two Konkani books every month.

So by the end of three-year term atleast 72 books will be published by the Academy.

The Academy has plans to publish books of authors from various Konkani speaking communities, he added.

Rosario Church Vicar Fr J B Crasta said that the clubs should help in exchange of Konkani activities. Canara P U College Director Janardhana Pai said Konkani janapada utsava and food festival should be organised.

‘Sumathi’ a collection of stories written by Hemacharya (Stephen Herald Mascharenhes) and ‘Bhangrachi Goddadi’, a compilation of two plays written by Kudpi Vasudev Shenoy were released on the occasion.

The books have been published by the Konkani Academy.

Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Registrar B Devdas Pai, Rosario P U College Principal Alwyn Seravo among others were present.