'Michael D'Souza Vision Konkani' project launched in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The World Konkani Centre, Mangaluru on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NRI businessman Michael D’Souza to provide publication grants to 100 Konkani books.
The project is named “Michael D’Souza Vision Konkani”. The project is aimed towards promoting Konkani literature by encouraging independent Konkani writers and publishers.
Michael D’Souza who is also a patron of the World Konkani Centre signed the MoU with C. A Nandagopal Shenoy, President of the World Konkani Centre.
Speaking after signing the MoU, Michael D Souza said: “I always felt there is a great need to support Konkani writers to bring their creative writing to the light. The literature they painstakingly produce deserves to be read by the people. Due to escalating cost of production, Konkani writers find it difficult to publish their creative works. Therefore, we have decided to provide grants to publish quality books in Konkani. I request Konkani writers and publishers to make good use of this programme to enrich Konkani literature.”
“Konkani is a diverse language spread across various communities. Our founder and great visionary Basti Vaman Shenoy left us a great legacy of inclusive culture and oneness. It is our duty to continue his legacy,” said Nandagopal Shenoy said after signing the MoU.
As per the MoU, the 'Michael D’Souza Vision Konkani' will support the publication of 100 books over the period of five years at a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs. The books can be fiction, poetry, essays, drama and other creative works. The manuscripts will be invited periodically for review by the selection committee constituted by the Centre, a release from the World Konkani Centre said.
Gilbert D Souza, vice-president of the World Konkani Centre, B R Bhat, treasurer, poet Melvyn Rodrigues, trustee, Dr B Devadas Pai, director, World Konkani Research Centre, Sahana Kini, coordinator, World Konkani Centre, Poet – thinker Titus Noronha, senior theatre artiste Eddie Sequeira, treasurer of Konkani Writers Artists Association Roshan Madtha and Nasir were present during the signing of the MoU.
Gurudath Bantwalkar, CEO of World Konkani Centre welcomed the gathering. Chief – editor of Vision Konkani, H M Pernal briefed about the project. B R Bhat, treasurer of the World Konkani Centre proposed the vote of thanks.
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Metro services begin in Bhopal; excited residents flock to take rides, selfies
Bhopal (PTI): On the first day of the commercial run of the Metro services in Bhopal on Sunday, hundreds of residents enthusiastically took rides, expressing confidence that it will save time and provide relief from traffic jams.
An official said that the Metro’s first service began at 9 am from the AIIMS station, and by 6 pm, 5,731 people had travelled on the new mass-transit corridor.
He said that people, along with their family members, had been lining up for tickets since early morning. Several users were seen taking selfies and photos inside the Metro rakes and at stations.
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Earlier on Saturday, Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the Metro service by flagging off a train from Subhash Nagar station on a 7.5-kilometre stretch, called the “Priority Corridor”.
With this, Bhopal became the 26th city in the country and the second city in Madhya Pradesh, after Indore, to have the Metro service.
Rao Singh, who took a Metro ride, told PTI Videos that besides saving time and money, the new mode of transport will provide relief from traffic jams and pollution.
Another passenger, who identified himself as Chetan, said he was happy that Bhopal is now on the “Metro list”.
Office-goers will benefit a lot due to the Metro service, said a young man named Akshay.
While the estimated cost of the 30.8-km-long Bhopal Metro project is Rs 10,033 crore, a sum of Rs 2,225 crore was spent on the ‘Priority Corridor’, according to officials.
