Dalgado Konknni Akademi under the direction of the Directorate of Official Language organised ‘Osmitai Dis’ as part of the state level celebration on the anniversary of Opinion Poll Day at Cansaulim and Dalgado Konknni Akademi conference hall, Panaji in the morning and late afternoon respectively.
The chief guest for the event at Cansaulim was state co-ordinator (Secondary Education) Goa Samagra Shiksha, director of education John Silveira and konkani writer Anthony Menezes, was the keynote speaker. The secretary of DKA Fr. Myron Jeson Barreto presided over the function.
Konkani songs and poems depicting the culture and language of Goa were presented during the programme. The parish priest of St. Thomas Church, Cansaulim Fr. Ave Maria Afonso the vice-president of DKA William Fernandes was also present on the occasion.
Menezes presented a history of Opinion Poll Day and the sacrifices made by leaders and the people of Goa. The chief guest, Fernandes spoke on the rich cultural heritage of Goa and how people are trying to preserve it.
Konkani writer and the secretary to the Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira was the chief guest for the function at Panaji. Ex speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and ex-president of the Daldago Konknni Akademi Tomazinho Cardozo was the keynote speaker. DKA president presided over the function Celso Fernandes.
Cardozo in his keynote address spoke on the importance and the history of Goa from liberation to opinion poll and from Konkani agitation to statehood. Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira in his address spoke of how the tourists appreciate not only the natural beauty of Goa but the serenity of the land, the food and the hospitality of Goans.
Students from Santa Cruz HSS, Santa Cruz, Our Lady of Rosary HSS, Dona Paula and St. Xavier’s HSS, Mapusa participated in a quiz competition organised by Selza Lopes, Don Bosco HSS, Panaji teacher.
10 Konkani poets recited their poems on ‘Osmitai dis’ and the generic history of Goa. The programme ended with the singing of the national anthem.
