Mangalore: In a glittering ceremony at the Town Hall on Jan.15 Wednesday 10 achievers were presented with Sandesha awards in various fields of activities as done annually. The program was presided over by Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras and the Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore was the chief guest.

Noted Kannada writer Dr Jayanth Kaikini was the guest of honour. Rev. Victor Vijay Lobo was another guest of honour on the occasion as director of Sandesha institution. Dr Norbert D’Souza, well known Kannda author was the chairman of the selection committee which picked up the 10 awardees.

The Awards were conferred on Vaidehi (Sandesha Kannada Literature Award), Cyril G Sequeira (C G S Taccode) (Sandesha Konkani Literature Award), Lalitha Rai (Sandesha Tulu Literature Award), Sr Irene Mascarenhas (Sandesha Best Teacher Award), P Sheshadri (Sandesha Cinema/TV Award), Abdul Rasheed (Sandesha Journalism Award), B K S Varma (Sandesha Art Award), B V Rajaram (Sandesha Media Education Award), Lawrence Saldanha (Konkani Kogull Wilfy Rebimbus Memorial Sandesha Konkani Music Award) and Corrine Rasquinha, White Doves trust, Mangalore (Sandesha Special Recognition Award).

Each Award carried a cash prize, a trophy, a citation and a certificate of recognition.

Dr Jayanth Kaikini in his speech said no awardees should expect anything in return for his literary services to the society at large and none had expected the award so far.

Dr N D’Souza was felicitated on the occasion for his services to Kannada literature as an author.

Fr Henry D Souza, Bishop of Bellary and chairman of Sandesha Foundation, Fr Jayaprakash D’Souza, principal of Sandesha College, Dr Charles Vas, president of Sandesha selection committee, P M Castelino, Galdin D’Souza, Roy Castelino, Fr S Jayanathan were also present at the occasion.