Mangalore : President of India Smt. Prathiba Patel visited the twin districts for the first time to preside over the Konkani Ekta Divas, the first programme of its kind conducted by Mandd Sobhann as part of its first World Konkani Cultural Convention, a 25-day cultural extravaganza.
Sangeeth Guru Joel Pereira is leading the chorus of 50 male and female singers in the singing of the title song, the last item of the Konkani Kala Vaibhav.
President Prathibha Patil said that it is happy to participate in the event. She also added that she was impressed with the cultural programme put together on the occasion that showcased the rich culture and tradition of the community. She also observed that despite a vast community, Konkanis are unified due to their love for the mother tongue.
She further said that the Konkani belt stretching from Maharashtra to Kerala has about 50 lakh people, who have contributed a great deal to the country’s economic, political and social realms, besides having been active in the freedom movement.
Konkani culture is diverse, spoken by Hindus, Muslims and Christians, and it is the Konkani language that binds them, she noted and added that it is a language that has incorporated words from Malayalam, Kannada and Marathi. She congratulated all those who have contributed to the enrichment of Konkani language.
Ronald Colaco escorted the president to the dias and in his welcome address, he said that konkani’s have made a number of records at the marathon. Today the Konkani convention is celebrating the 15th day of grand celebration. We must think that we are Indians first and later Konkani’s. He also said that India will become worlds super economical power, he added.
Addressing the gathering Uttarkhand Governor Margaret Alva said that it is the unified fighting spirit of Konkani community that made it possible for the language Konkani to be included in 8th Schedule of the Constitution. She said that there are many konkani speaking people in different parts of the state and Konkani’s are very adjustable people.
When see such kind of programme it gives immense pleasure to witness it. Today the people have adopted the western culture and language in the house, hence she said that people must not stop using konkani in the house.
Minister for higher education Dr V S Acharya said that it is the common language of Konkani that binds Konkanis, who are divided otherwise due to different caste and religions. He also said that CM will participate in the valedictory function of convention. One can find Konkani speaking people between diverse communities. The government is all set to support the growth of the language and culture and hence it has introduced Konkani language from standard 6th.
State Governor Bhardwaj speaking representing the people of the state said that he was very proud of unique Konkani Samaj that gave the country the lesson in unity due to the oneness among Konkanis despite belonging to different communities. We are greatful to the people living here in the society.He congradulated the orgamisors for the exemploary unity of oneness. Any uniform factor in the country must be welcomed, he informed.

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