Bantwal :   Kavita Fest-2013 organised at Basti Garden, Tumbay in Bantwal on January 13, Sunday was inaugurated by noted Konkani poet and activist Uday L Bhembre.   Earlier, a colorful procession was taken out from BA Hospital Thumbay to Basti Garden. All delegates of Kavita Fest participated in the procession.
 
Speaking on the occasion, he said poems have the capacity to bring about a social change. HE gave a talk on ‘Poet and hi social responsibility’ and released ‘Nekentran’ (Starts) an anthology of poems authored by Valli Vagga.
A multi-lingual poety session was also organised. Several poets including Suneetha Bai,Ashok Bhonslo, Geo Agrar (Konkani), V S Bhat (Kannada), Amrita Athrady (Tulu),Kiran Parmar (Hindi), participated in the session presided over by Uday Mhambro, noted poet from Goa.

The Mathias Family Poetry Award was conferred on Rajay Pawar from Goa on the occasion. The final round of the Rohan and Lavita Monteiro All India Konkani Poetry Recitation competition was held and  Mangesh P of Goa bagged the first place. Rochelle Diniz, of St Jude’s High School, Salcete, Goa bagged the first prize in the late Charles and Theresa Rodrigues – Memorial All India Konkani Poetry Writing Competition for students.  
 
Noted Kannada-Konkani columnist and lexicographer Fr Prashanth Madtha, was the chief guest  at the valedictory function.

‘Kuncha Kahale’ was one of the special attractions. A 100 feet long canvas painted by nearly 31 painters  on display highlighting the message to protect nature. Several artists including Dinesh Holla, Ganesh Somayaji, Jeevan AS, Santosh Andrade, depicted their wart works.