Journals, periodicals contributed to immense growth of Konkani literature: Dr Austin Prabhu
Kittall Youth and Arso Journalism Awards ceremony held
Mangaluru: Konkani journals and periodicals have contributed greatly to the growth of Konkani literature, Ln Dr Austin Prabhu, editor-publisher of Veez Konkani, the single digitally illustrated Konkani weekly from Chicago for five years, has said.
Addressing the ceremony to confer senior Konkani journalist Avil Rasquinha with the 'Arso Journalism Award 2022' at the Maria Jayanti Mandir, Jeppu, Mangaluru, Dr Prabhu said, “Konkani journalism has a history of 110 years. The commitment of Konkani editors and publishers in shaping the careers of today's celebrated Konkani writers is worth recognizing. By bestowing a journalism award on a senior Konkani journalist, Arso is doing a great job. Along with senior journalists, young and upcoming Konkani journalists should also be recognized and honored.”
Abu Dhabi-based Indian entrepreneur C A Valerian D'Almeida honored Clive D'Souza Boliye with the 'Leo Rodrigues Family Kittall Youth Award 2022', on behalf of the Leo Rodrigues family.
He appreciated the contribution and support of Leo Rodrigues, who was an NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist, for the growth of Konkani language, literature, art, music and culture in India as well as abroad. D'Almeida said that he had known Rodrigues since his student days.
He also stressed on the need for applied media education and urged journalists to focus on villages where many talented youth are growing.
Senior banker Stephen Pinto and educationist Oswald Rodrigues were guests of honor on the occasion.
H M Pernal, editor-publisher of Kittall.com; Wilson Kateel, editor of Arso; poet-thinker Titus Noronha, chairperson of the award selection committee, were also present on the dais.
A host of Konkani writers, artists, well-wishers of Arso and Kittall and family members of awardees were present during the ceremony.
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Several Gurugram schools receive hoax bomb threats
Gurugram (PTI): Several Gurugram schools received another hoax bomb threat emails on Wednesday morning, prompting police to launch searches on the premises.
Police said the email was sent by the 'Khalistan National Army', with threats issued to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to declare April 29 as the "40th Khalistan Declaration Day". It also threatened to bomb the Red Fort in Delhi.
Police said it was a hoax as no suspicious items were found after an intensive search.
Several schools, including Shri Ram, Amity, and the HDFC school, received threatening emails at 8.33 am, when classes had already begun, police said.
The school administrations became aware of the threats around 9 am and immediately informed the police, a senior police officer said.
The schools immediately implemented emergency protocols, with many declaring a holiday and asking parents to take their children home safely, the officer said.
A large number of anxious parents gathered outside the schools, as police and bomb squad teams reached the spots and started checks.
"Around 10 schools have approached the police from morning until now over bomb threats. Police teams are alert, and searches are underway on all the premises", the officer said.
As soon as the information about this email was received, police in Gurugram and Delhi swung into action and started investigation.
Schools immediately implemented emergency protocols upon receiving the mail. Many schools declared a holiday and sent messages to parents, asking them to take their children home. Large crowds of parents gathered outside the schools.
The schools were sanitised by sending a bomb disposal squad as well as a dog squad.
A senior police officer said that police teams thoroughly searched the school premises, classrooms, buildings, and surrounding areas. No suspicious objects or explosive materials were found during the investigation.
"Police teams are seriously investigating the entire matter. Cyber experts are being consulted to determine the authenticity of the email, its source, and the identity of the sender", added the officer.
This is the third time since January that schools have received fake bomb threats.
In March, at least a dozen schools in the city received bomb threat emails, which later turned out to be hoaxes.
Similarly, on January 28, as many as 13 schools received hoax bomb threats via email, forcing authorities to evacuate campuses and suspend classes.
Last month, police arrested a Bangladeshi national whose email ID was allegedly used to make a bomb threat for some payment.
