Mangalore : The Pingara Balaga conferred its Pingara Rajyotsava Award 2010 on on Mandd Sobhann for its service to the Konkani-speaking people irrespective of caste, community, or religion at the ceremony held at Town Hall on Nov 9, Tuesday.

After conferring the award, Raymond D’Cunha, the editor of Pingara, said that Kannada weekly has decided to honour Mandd Sobhann with this award in recognition of its service to Konkani language, literature, and culture.

Harikrishna Punaroor, former President of Kannada Sahithya Parishat, Fr William Menezes, PRO of Mangalore Diocese, Roy Castalino, Youth leader of Konkani Prachar, Janardhana Hande and others participated as juries for the selection of the award, he added.

Executive Director of Shri Dharmasthala Gramabhivriddhi Yojana Dr. L. H. Manjunath participated as the chief guest of the awards ceremony.

Sandeepani Sadhanashrama Seer Kemaru Esha Vittaladasa blessed the occasion and delivered the benedictory speech.
President of Magnum Intergraphix Sudheer P. Ghate presided over the programme and honoured Mand Sobhann President Louie J Pinto with a shawl, a Mysore Peta, a citation, a memento, along with the prestigious Pingara Award.

Dr. Mohan Alva, the president of Alva’s Education Trust, and MLA Abhayachandra Jain, the MLA of Moodabidri, were the honourary guest and Jyothika Jain, the owner of Devika Sarees, was the guest of honour.