Girish Kasaravalli, Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi selected for Sandesha Foundation annual awards
Mangaluru: The Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education has revealed the names of eight distinguished individuals who will be conferred the prestigious ‘Sandesha Awards 2025’. The announcement also included the recipients of the Esteem Award and Talent Award for this year.
In a press briefing held in the city on Thursday, Sandesha Foundation Director Sandeep Paul announced the awardees, which include BR Lakshman Rao (Poetry), Girish Kasaravalli (Cinema), Ganesh Amin Sankamar (Tulu Scholar), Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi (Education), Iriene Pinto (Konkani Literature), DV Rajashekar (Media), KV Rao (Special Recognition), and Roshan D’Souza (Konkani Music).
Additionally, Michael D’Souza will be honoured with the ‘Esteem Award’ for his exceptional humanitarian service and philanthropy, while Remona Yvete Pereira will receive the ‘Talent Award’ for her outstanding achievements in Bharatanatyam.
The award ceremony will take place on Monday, February 10, at 5:30 PM at the Sandesha Institute Grounds in Mangaluru. The event will be presided over by Bishop Henry D’Souza of Ballari, who is also the Chairperson of the Sandesha Foundation. Other notable attendees will include Dinesh Gundu Rao, District In-charge Minister of Dakshina Kannada, Bishops Francis Serrao of Shivamogga, Lawrence Mukuzhy of Belthangady, and Sandesha Awards Jury member Damodar Shetty.
Senior members of the Award Selection Committee, including Dr. Na Damodar Shetty, BA Mohammad Haneef, Simon Coelho, and Roopakala Alva, were also present at the press meet.
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Catholic Bishops' body slams Bhagwat's remarks
New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India on Thursday slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his reported remark that Pranab Mukherjee, when he was President, had said tribals would turn "anti-national" if there is no "ghar wapsi"Catholic Bishops.'
In a statement issued here, CBCI, a body of Catholic Bishops, referred to reports which said Bhagwat, at an event on Monday, claimed that Mukherjee, while he was President had appreciated ghar wapsi and told him that had it not been for the Sangh's work on reconversion, a section of Adivasis would have turned "anti-national".The CBCI called the report "shocking".
"Fabricated personal conversation being attributed to a former president of India and its posthumous publication with the vested interest of an organization with questionable credibility raises a grave issue of national importance," the CBCI claimed.
"Is it not the violent ghar wapsi program of VHP and other similar organizations, curtailing the exercise of freedom of conscience of economically deprived tribals, the real anti-national activity?" it asked.
'Ghar wapsi' is a term used by the RSS and affiliated organisations to refer to reconversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism, based on the belief that they were originally Hindus before converting to other religions.
The CBCI also questioned why Bhagwat did not speak about it while Mukherjee was alive.
"We, the 2.3 percent of Indian citizens who are Christians feel extremely hurt by such manipulated and motivated propaganda unleashed," it said.
In a post on X following the statement issued by CBCI, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said, "Speak up. This is a start!"
"Bishops body have issued a statement condemning remarks made by Dr Mohan Bhagwat and RSS for defaming the Christian community," he said.
O'Brien added that they should ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi more questions, including why Christmas Day has been turned into "Good Governance Day".
The TMC leader, in a blogpost earlier this month, had said "hard questions" must be asked to the government with regards to the Christian community, including why the FCRA has been 'weaponised', and why has Manipur been 'ignored'.
