Mangaluru’s H.M. Pernal awarded Sahitya Akademi Award for Konkani literature
New Delhi: Popular Konkani writer and journalist H.M. Pernal (Henry Mendonca) from Mangaluru has been awarded the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award for his acclaimed literary criticism work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
The award was presented to Pernal by Akademi President Madhav Kaushik on March 31, 2026, at 6:30 pm at Kamani Auditorium.
The awards were presented in 23 languages, while the Malayalam awardee could not attend due to ill health. Aneish P. Rajan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, was also present. Renowned Hindi author Vishwanath Tiwari attended as the chief guest and delivered the keynote address. Vice President Prof. Kumud Sharma and Secretary Pallavi Holkar were also present.
The Sahitya Akademi Award is among the highest literary honours conferred in India. Each year, the Akademi recognises outstanding literary works in 24 languages, including 22 scheduled languages along with English and Rajasthani.
Konkani has been a scheduled language since 1992 and is spoken across Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The language received recognition from the Sahitya Akademi in 1975, and awards for Konkani literature have been presented since 1977.
From Mangaluru, Cha. Fra. D’Costa (1992) and Melvyn Rodrigues (2011) had earlier received the Sahitya Akademi Award for their poetry collections, while Edwin J.F.D. Souza was honoured in 2016 for his novel. With this recognition, H.M. Pernal becomes the fourth Konkani writer from Karnataka to receive the award.
His work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam has marked a significant milestone by becoming the first Konkani book in the literary criticism category to be honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award. Prior to this recognition, the book had already received the Best Book Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023.
The publication features a detailed foreword by Jnanpith awardee Damodar Mauzo and has been brought out by Kavita Publications, Mangaluru.
Henry Mendonca was born in Pernal, located in Udupi district. He completed his schooling at Hindu Junior College in Shirva, pursued his undergraduate studies at MSRS College, and later went on to complete his postgraduate education in Mumbai. By profession, he is a commercial accountant.
He began his literary journey writing in Kannada, contributing to magazines such as Taranga, Sankramana and Shudra. In the early 1980s, he transitioned into Konkani literature, initially working as a cartoonist for the magazine Yuvak. Over time, he evolved into a multifaceted literary figure, establishing himself as a short story writer, poet, critic, editor and publisher.
In 2011, he launched the online literary magazine ‘Kitaal,’ which has been continuously published for the past fourteen years and has emerged as a significant platform for both established and emerging writers in the digital Konkani literary space.
Two years later, in 2013, he founded the literary magazine ‘Arso’ as a fortnightly publication, which has since transitioned into a monthly magazine now in its twelfth year, currently edited by poet Wilson Katil. The annual special issues of Arso have earned notable recognition within literary circles.
Through his publishing initiative Kitaal Prakashan, Mendonca has brought out more than 15 original literary works.
His published works include four poetry collections—Chalyank Chatray (1999), Kaydyacho Kavita (2004), Bhamunanchem Chedum (2006) and Janel (2025).
He has also authored two short story collections—Devak Sodullo Pado (2002) and Beeg Ani Bigat (2016)—in addition to his award-winning critical work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
His short story collection Beeg Ani Bigat received the Shrimati Vimala V. Pai Best Literary Work Award in 2017, instituted by the Vishwa Konkani Kendra in memory of the mother of entrepreneur T.V. Mohandas Pai. In recognition of his contribution to Konkani poetry, he was honoured with the Mathayas Family Endowment Poetry Award by Kavita Trust in 2018.
He was also honoured with the Best Book Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 for Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam, the Konkani Sahitya Gaurav Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2022, the Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award in 2023 for his contributions to Konkani literature and journalism, and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023 for the same book.
Pernal has written more than 850 poems, over 100 short stories and more than 2,000 articles. Through print and digital media, he has consistently contributed to the growth of Konkani literature.
Since 2012, he has been identifying and encouraging emerging writers by presenting the Kitaal Yuva Puraskar every year. The award is sponsored by the family of Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues and includes a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.
At present, Pernal is the chief editor of the Vision Konkani Book Grant Project initiated by Michael D’Souza. Under this scheme, Konkani writers are provided financial assistance of up to Rs 40,000 for the publication of a book.
The project, with a total budget of Rs 40 lakh, is fully sponsored by NRI entrepreneur and Konkani language patron Michael D’Souza. It is being implemented under the supervision of the Vishwa Konkani Kendra and aims to support the publication of 100 books over a five-year period.
A committed leader in the Konkani literary community, Pernal served as the working president of the All India Silver Jubilee Konkani Literary Conference held in Mangaluru in 2023. He is currently serving as the treasurer of the All India Konkani Parishad.
He has also served as the president of the Konkani Writers’ Union and is presently a member of the Konkani Language Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi.
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Andhra eyes top 5 global quantum hub status, CM Naidu announces action plan
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said the greenfield capital city of Amaravati is set to become India’s first quantum computing hub.
The country’s first Open Quantum Computer will be launched here on April 14.
Naidu said the quantum computer will be a valuable tool for students and researchers for testing purposes.
“Amaravati is going to emerge as India’s first quantum computing hub with the launch of the first Open Quantum Computer on April 14, which will be useful for students and researchers,” he said in a press release.
With this development, Naidu noted that Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a leader in next-generation technologies.
The Amaravati Quantum Computing Valley (AQV) is expected to provide a new direction to India’s technology ecosystem.
Addressing a roundtable conference on the quantum hardware manufacturing ecosystem at the state secretariat, Naidu emphasised the need to develop a domestic quantum hardware ecosystem within the next two years.
He reaffirmed that Andhra Pradesh is among the front-runners in implementing the National Quantum Mission, with Amaravati set to emerge as a world-class, future-ready innovation hub.
Naidu urged all stakeholders to collaborate in building a self-reliant quantum ecosystem, reducing dependence on imports, and positioning India as a global leader in quantum technology, said a press release.
Key participants included representatives from the National Quantum Mission, IBM, CDAC, CDOT, DRDO, Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, and BARC, along with academic experts from IIT Tirupati and IIT Madras.
Other attendees included National Quantum Mission director JBV Reddy, State Quantum Mission director CV Sridhar, IBM director Amit Sanghi, and senior officials.
Naidu outlined a comprehensive roadmap for developing quantum computing hardware, components, and algorithms within the state.
He underscored the importance of building a robust ecosystem covering cryogenics, photonics, and power electronics, and called for promoting startups, innovation, and research collaborations to develop 'Made in Amaravati' quantum products.
The roundtable resolved to transform Andhra Pradesh into one of the top five global quantum computing hubs by 2030, finalising an action plan featuring advanced infrastructure, including eight towers dedicated to quantum computing, research, innovation, and startups.
“The roundtable has decided to implement an action plan to turn Andhra Pradesh into one of the top five global quantum computing hubs by 2030,” the release said.
Naidu added that skill development programs are being launched to train youth in quantum technologies, with emerging services such as AI Doctor, AI Tutor, and AI Agronomist expected to benefit citizens.
The discussions focused on manufacturing quantum computing components in Amaravati Quantum Valley, along with hardware, algorithms, and related technologies. The roundtable also outlined plans to develop AQV’s infrastructure and establish a hardware ecosystem.
Under the ‘Made in Amaravati’ initiative, the participants emphasised intensive efforts to manufacture quantum computing components locally, promote research and innovation through startups, and develop a bio-foundry.
The release noted that Andhra Pradesh has already begun its quantum technology journey, pioneering a state-specific quantum computing policy.
The government has signed agreements with 15 companies, and seven have already commenced operations in Vijayawada.
These companies have expressed readiness to contribute technologies, including quantum simulators, biosensors, mineral sensors, and laser-based applications, it added.
