Writers must echo the readers' voice: Jnanpith awardee Damodar Mauzo at Konkani poetry book launch
Poet and critic H.M. Pernal’s poetry collection Zanel released
Mangaluru: “Literature is not merely a reflection of life; it is a force that helps readers navigate the dilemmas of existence,” said Jnanpith award-winning Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo, stressing that writers must become the voice of their readers. He was speaking at the launch of Zanel, a poetry collection by noted Konkani poet and critic H. M. Pernal, held at the MCC Bank auditorium in Mangaluru on Friday.
Reflecting on the deeper purpose of writing, Mauzo said, “Life is a constant battle between nature and distortion, and it is filled with choices between affirmation and denial. Every human being carves their path through these decisions. Literature serves as a guiding light in this struggle. Today’s readers are not passive—they search for themselves in what they read. Writers must rise to this expectation and become their voice.”
Praising Zanel, Mauzo remarked that Pernal’s poems resonate with the tension and turmoil of modern life. “His verses often carry the shadows of darkness, yet hidden within that darkness are unspoken truths, delivered with a distinct satirical sharpness,” he noted.
Vision Konkani founder and chief guest Michael D’Souza lauded Pernal’s commitment to language and literature. “There are three things we must never forget—our parents, our mother tongue, and our motherland,” he said. “Through his literary journey, H. M. Pernal has stayed rooted in these values. Along with his colleagues, he continues to uphold and promote the essence of Konkani. Vision Konkani has already published works by 21 Konkani writers, and this movement must gain further momentum.”
Introducing the book, poet Melvyn Rodrigues, Director of the Konkani Advisory Board at the Sahitya Akademi described Zanel as a collection that transforms personal and everyday experiences into deeper philosophical insights. “At first glance, the poems may seem cloaked in darkness, but within them lie unsaid truths that strike the reader with quiet force,” he observed.
The event also saw the presence of Nandagopal Shenoy, President of the World Konkani Centre, and Kishoo Barkur, President of Kavita Trust, both of whom shared the dais.
The gathering began with a welcome address by H. M. Pernal, while noted poet and thinker Titus Noronha anchored the event.
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Pune airport runway restored after IAF aircraft snag; ops resume
Pune (PTI): The runway at Pune airport, which was temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, has now been restored and declared operational, the Air Force said on Saturday.
The authorities at the Pune International Airport had earlier said that around 10.25 pm on Friday, a fighter aircraft experienced an undercarriage failure during landing, causing the runway to be blocked.
As many as 91 flights of airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa, and Air India Express, were affected due to the incident, they said.
Earlier on Friday night, the Air Force had stated that the runway at Pune airport was temporarily unavailable following an incident involving one of its fighter aircraft. The aircrew are safe, and there is no damage to civil property, it had said.
"The runway at Pune Airport, which was temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving an Indian Air Force aircraft, has now been restored and declared operational. All necessary safety inspections and clearances have been completed. Operations are resuming in a phased manner," it said in a post on X.
Flight operations at Pune airport are being gradually restored. The situation has been brought under control with the highest priority given to the safety of citizens, a Defence PRO said.
