Konkani music pioneer Eric Alexander Ozario dies at 76
Mangaluru(PTI): Eric Alexander Ozario, a pioneering figure in Konkani music and culture, passed away on Friday at the age of 76, his family said.
Ozario, who had been undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments at Father Muller’s Hospital here, was widely regarded as the "gurkar" of 'Mandd Sobhann', the cultural organisation he founded in 1986 to promote Konkani art and heritage.
Under his leadership, 'Mandd Sobhann' staged over 2,000 performances, produced more than 1,000 musical compositions, and released 26 albums.
His tireless advocacy also led to Konkani being introduced as an optional subject in Karnataka schools, securing its place in the curriculum.
He played a key role in establishing 'Kalaangann', an international Konkani heritage centre in Mangaluru, which became a hub for cultural programmes and research initiatives.
His efforts brought global recognition to Konkani art through festivals such as the World Konkani Music Festival, Mandd Fest, and the Global Konkani Music Awards.
A recipient of the Vishwa Konkani Kala Ratna award, Ozario is survived by his wife, Joyce, daughter Dr Rashmi Kiran, and son Rithesh Kiran.
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Parents fear uncertainty after Karnataka govt rules out age limit relaxation for Class 1 admission
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has ruled out any relaxation of the minimum age limit for admission to Class 1 beginning with the academic year 2026-27. Following the refusal, a group of parents continues to press for leniency.
Parents of children who fall under the age of six by a small margin on the cut-off date have met Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and senior officials from the Department of School Education and Literacy to request an exemption. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the government will not change its decision, as reported by Deccan Herald.
According to the minister, children must be six years old by June 1 to be eligible for admission to Class 1. beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. He noted that the previous relaxation was a one-time measure that was clearly confined to the 2025-26 academic year.
“If such requests are entertained every year, it will never end. While granting relaxation last year, it was explicitly stated that it applied only to one academic year. From 2026-27 onwards, the rule will be strictly implemented,” Bangarappa was quoted by DH.
Parents argue that the rigid cut-off is affecting children who are short by a few days. One parent was quoted by DH as saying that his daughter would be 12 days short of completing six years on June 1. Such parents would be forced to repeat a year despite being academically ready. Others pointed out that children promoted from LKG to UKG during the 2025-26 academic year are now facing uncertainty over their transition to Class 1.
Few parents also recalled that earlier, admissions were allowed for children aged between five years and 10 months and six years. Parents saw it as a more practical approach, with children born in November and December being disproportionately affected.
The issue of age criterion goes back to a government order issued in July 2022. The order mandated six years as the minimum age for Class 1 admission. Parents of children already enrolled in pre-primary classes, protested against the order and the state deferred implementation, announcing that the rule would come into force from the 2025-26 academic year.
After renewed pressure, the government granted a one-year relaxation for 2025-26, citing the large number of students affected and in consultation with the State Education Policy Commission. While announcing the exemption, the minister had stated that no further concessions would be allowed.
