Tag: Konkani Bhasha Mandal

Events in Goa

24th Shenoi Goembab Kathamal District & State Rounds on August 10 in Margao

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The district and state level rounds of the 24th Shenoi Goembab Kathamal Storytelling Competition, organised by Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM) Goa, will be held on August 10, 2025, at Konkani Bhavan, Margao. The district rounds will begin at 9:00 am, followed by the state round in the afternoon.

A total of 125 contestants, selected from 19 centres across Goa, will participate in the district round. This year, the competition set a new record at the centre level, with 1,226 participants showcasing their storytelling skills on the same day. The highest response came from Dharbandora, Sanguem, Canacona, Sattari, Divchal, Pedne, and Bardez, while the newly introduced centre in Shiroda saw participation from 60 competitors.

“The response to the storytelling competition shows that the importance of the Konkani language is now being understood by the masses,” said Ratnamala Divkar, President of KBM.

The event was made possible with the hard work of coordinators, co-coordinators, co-organisers, and invitees. Ulhas Gaonkar, Chief Coordinator of Kathamal, acknowledged the valuable support from the Department of Education, Goa S.C.E.R.T., and A.D.E.I. offices. Co-coordinator Gaurang Bhandiye highlighted the contribution of 171 judges, 250 volunteers, and joint organising organisations that worked together to ensure the success of the competition.

The Shenoi Goembab Kathamal has become one of Goa’s most awaited cultural events, promoting the love for the Konkani language and the age-old tradition of oral storytelling.

Contest

Goa Gears Up for the 24th Shenoi Goembab Storytelling Competition – 2nd August 2025

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The Shenoi Goembab Storytelling Competition, one of Goa’s largest and most awaited educational events, is back with its 24th edition this 2nd August 2025. Spearheaded by Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM), Goa, and supported by the Directorate of Official Language, Government of Goa, this competition celebrates the timeless tradition of storytelling through the lens of the Konkani language.

Over the years, the competition has grown remarkably in participation and scale. This year, it will be conducted across 19 centers in Goa, including all 12 talukas and extended centers in Shiroda, Cuncolim, Bardez, Margao, Tiswadi, and Ponda. Some schools from Salcete and Quepem are merged with the Cuncolim center due to overwhelming participation.

The storytelling contest is open to students from Classes 1 to 10, divided into three categories:

  • 1st–4th Std: 2–4 minutes
  • 5th–7th Std: 3–5 minutes
  • 8th–10th Std: 4–6 minutes

Participants are free to choose their story themes, and additional winners will be selected in centers with high participation to ensure broader representation.

More than 160 judges and 300 volunteers will be actively engaged in conducting this state-wide literary celebration, reflecting the immense popularity and cultural importance of this event.

This year’s refreshment partner, Monginis, joins hands with KBM to support young minds on their creative journey.

The storytelling competition is not just about winning prizes—it is about fostering language fluency, imagination, and confidence among young students in Goa.

Interested schools and participants can reach out to:

  • 📞 Ulhas Goankar (Coordinator): 9923765741
  • 📞 Gaurang Bhandiye (Co-Coordinator): 8552883808

“Through stories, we preserve culture. Through storytelling, we shape the future.”

For more updates, follow @kbmgoaofficial and @dirlang_goa on social media.

Books & Literature

Mohini Smriti Puraskar declared to Konkani activist Anthony Vaz

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The Mohini Smriti Puraskar for 2024 has been declared to Konkani activist Anthony Vaz. This award is given in memory of the wife of veteran writer and freedom fighter late Nagesh Karmali. This award is given to Konkani leaders who have made notable contributions to the Konkani language, literature, movement and education.


Anthony Vaz has worked in the field of Konkani theatre. He has worked in more than 15 Tiatr in Goa and Mumbai. He has also worked in Konkani plays and films. He has actively participated in the 555-day official language movement to make Konkani an official language. In literature, he has written two tiatr, ‘Sukh and Dukh’ and ‘Keed’, as well as the novel ‘Rakhno’. He is also fond of writing plays and poetry.
To promote folk arts, he established his Neez Kala Kendra organisation and organised Konkani folk art programmes all over Goa. He has worked for Konkani Bhasha Mandal and the Kala Academy Goa. His awards include the Konkani Bhasha Mandal Award and the Konkani Bhasha Seva Samman.
The Mohini Smriti Puraskar ceremony, sponsored by Nagesh Karmali’s family, will be organised soon, said Dinesh Manerkar of Sanjana Publications.

Social

All India Konkani Parishad to Hold Annual General Meeting on June 1 in Margao

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The All India Konkani Parishad (AIKP), a leading cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Konkani language and heritage, will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 1, 2025. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM and will take place at Konkani Bhasha Mandal, located in Vidyanagar, Margao.

This important gathering will serve as a platform to review the organization’s progress over the past year. The AGM agenda includes the presentation of last year’s activities and financial accounts, providing members with insights into AIKP’s initiatives and fiscal discipline. The meeting will also outline plans and programs scheduled for 2025-2026, marking a roadmap for the Parishad’s continued contribution to the Konkani community.

A key highlight of the meeting will be the preliminary discussions surrounding the 26th Sahitya Sammelan—a prestigious literary conclave organized by AIKP. The venue and tentative dates for this major cultural event will be deliberated upon, setting the stage for what promises to be a landmark occasion in the Konkani literary calendar.

Chetan Acharya, Working President of the All India Konkani Parishad, has issued a heartfelt appeal to all members to participate in the AGM. “Your active involvement is crucial for shaping the direction of the Parishad and for preserving the vibrancy of our Konkani heritage,” he said.

Members of AIKP, as well as those passionate about Konkani language and culture, are encouraged to attend the meeting and contribute to the discussions that will shape the future of the organization and its initiatives.

Books & Literature

Konkani Bhasha Mandal Hails State Information Commissioner’s Pioneering Effort

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In a significant development, Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM) has commended State Information Commissioner (SIC) Atmaram Barve for his groundbreaking decision to deliver a judgment in Konkani. This move has been hailed as a trailblazing effort to promote the official language of Goa.

Ratnamala Divkar, President of KBM, praised Barve’s initiative, stating, “Government departments should also follow in his footsteps and implement the Official Language Act.” This call to action underscores the importance of promoting Konkani in official contexts, ensuring that the language remains an integral part of Goa’s cultural heritage.

A Boost to Language Preservation Efforts

Barve’s decision has sent a strong message about the importance of preserving and promoting regional languages. By delivering a judgment in Konkani, he has demonstrated his commitment to upholding the linguistic heritage of Goa.

KBM’s Praise for Barve’s Initiative

KBM’s recognition of Barve’s effort is a testament to the impact that this move can have on the linguistic landscape of Goa. By promoting the use of Konkani in official contexts, KBM and Barve are helping to preserve the cultural heritage of the state.

A Step Towards Greater Transparency and Accountability

As a State Information Commissioner, Barve has been instrumental in promoting transparency and accountability in governance. His decision to deliver a judgment in Konkani is a significant step towards ensuring that government departments are more accessible and responsive to the needs of the people.

Conclusion

Konkani Bhasha Mandal’s praise for State Information Commissioner Atmaram Barve’s pioneering effort is a significant development in the promotion of Konkani language. As government departments are encouraged to follow in his footsteps, Goa takes a step closer to preserving its linguistic heritage and promoting greater transparency and accountability in governance.