Mangalore: Prominent Konkani supporter and advocate for the 'Vision Konkani' program, Michael D Souza, will be leading the Reception Committee for the upcoming 25th All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan as its President. The event is scheduled to take place at the Basti Vaman Shenoy Stage within the premises of the World Konkani Centre on November 4th and 5th. This marks the first time that Mangalore is hosting the All India Konkani Parishad's event in its 84-year history.
CA Nandagopal Shenoy, President of the World Konkani Centre, and Sahitya Akademi awardee Gokuldas Prabhu have been appointed as Vice Presidents, adding to the distinguished lineup. Konkani poet and thinker Titus Noronha will serve as the General Secretary, while journalist H. M. Pernal will take on the role of Working President within the Reception Committee.
The event is expected to draw approximately 650 delegates from various parts of India, making it a significant gathering for Konkani literature and culture enthusiasts. Sri Michael D'Souza, an NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Abu Dhabi, has been instrumental in supporting Konkani activities and programs both in India and abroad. His 'Vision Konkani' initiative has empowered Konkani writers and artists, providing substantial grants for Konkani book publications, music productions, and feature films.
Under his visionary program 'Vision Konkani', D'Souza has contributed Rs. 40 Lakhs for Konkani book publication grants, Rs. 10 Lakhs for Konkani music grants, and Rs. 25 Lakhs for Konkani feature film grants. He has also established the EDU CARE scholarship program, benefiting 3,500 Konkani-speaking students for higher education under the supervision of CODP, Dioceses of Mangalore.
Various sub-committees have been formed to ensure the smooth functioning of the event, with prominent figures like Poet Melvyn Rodrigues, Chetan Acharya, and Dr. Kasturi Mohan Pai guiding the efforts. Committees have been established for finance, food, venue, front office, volunteers, accommodation, transport, program planning, stage management, media promotion, printing, and souvenir creation.
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Surat (PTI): A 57-year-old man sleeping on the window of his 10th-floor flat in Surat slipped and miraculously survived after getting stuck in the metal grill installed outside a window on the 8th floor on Thursday, officials said.
Nitin Adiya remained suspended upside down in agony for an hour before being rescued, the fire official said. Dramatic videos of his rescue have gone viral on social media.
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According to fire department officials, Adiya was sleeping near a window of his flat at Times Galaxy building in Surat’s Jahangirabad area when he accidentally fell out.
His seemingly fatal fall was arrested after Adiya got stuck in the metal grill outside a window two floors below, they said.
After receiving an emergency call around 8 am, fire officials from Jahangirpura, Palanpur, and Adajan rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.
In a coordinated rescue using ropes and belts from the 10th floor, the man was safely brought inside the front window of the 8th floor, they said.
Officials said Adiya was immediately shifted to Gurukrupa Hospital in an ambulance after the rescue.
