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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Treat snake, dog bite victims without demanding money, Min Gundurao directs pvt hospital
Bengaluru: Private hospitals must provide immediate life-saving treatment to victims of snake bites and dog bites without demanding any advance payment, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao said on Friday, stressing that the directive is mandatory and has already been issued as an official order.
The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the Snake Bites Prevention and Control and Rabies-Free Karnataka State Action Plan, organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, at Vikasa Soudha.
Stating that the government aims to reduce rabies deaths in the state to zero by 2030, Gundurao said the action plan focuses on strengthening rabies prevention mechanisms.Anti-rabies vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin have been supplied to all primary health centres, community health centres, taluk hospitals and district hospitals across the state, and maintaining adequate stock has been made mandatory.
He added that private hospitals also have vaccines available and must begin treatment immediately without insisting on advance payment.
"To ensure strict implementation, state-level and district-level joint committees have been constituted to monitor compliance," Gundurao added.
The Minister said the initiative is being implemented with the coordination of various government departments, with non-governmental organisations also extending support.
Gundurao also stated that, “in line with Central Government guidelines, the Karnataka government included all snakebite cases under the list of notifiable diseases in 2024. The guidelines have been prepared in collaboration with NGOs, civil society organisations and multiple departments, focusing on prevention, availability of medicines, training of healthcare personnel and public awareness. The primary objective is to eliminate disability and mortality caused by snake bites.”
Reiterating the government’s stand, the Health Minister said that while free treatment for snakebite victims is being provided in government facilities, private hospitals are also responsible to offer immediate treatment without demanding advance payment.
