Mangalore, Sep 17: Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, released the audio CD of Konkani film ‘Kazaar’ on Thursday September 17 at Don Bosco Hall.

After releasing the CD, the Bishop said in his blessing speech, “Konkani film-making should be encouraged as it is working for our mother tongue. The language will be supported by such activities”.

He also said, “‘Kazaar’ which means ‘wedding’, is a holy relationship that is blessed by God. The film will also be blessed by God”. Dr D’Souza added that sometimes weddings held as in films also end in a cinematic way.

“The film ‘Kazaar’ will give good values to the society”, he said blessing the Kazaar team for their hard work in making the movie.

The function was presided over by Kundapur Narayana Kharvi, chairman of Konkani Sahitya Academy. He released the audio cassettes. 

Kharvi said that film-making and similar activities help popularize Konkani language and keep it alive for several years. “As regional languages are facing the threat of invasion from other languages, Konkani-speaking people need to encourage every work in their language”, he added.  

Fr Cyprian D’Souza, president, Konkani Nataka Sabha, entrepreneur A J Shetty, Dr Savitha Periera, MSW, MPHIL, Ph. D, lecturer, St Aloysius College, former mayor Hilda Alva, as well as BJP leaders Shreekara Prabhu and Jagadeesh Adhikari were the chief guests.

Producer of the film, Frank Fernandes, director Richard Castelino, lyricist and dialogue-writer, Fr Ravi Santhosh Kamath, and lead actor Rohith Fernandes were also present.

Bishop D’Souza honoured the cast of the movie with flowers. An entertainment programme was also arranged after the function. 

‘Kazaar’ has been produced by Fernes Movie International. The audio has been brought to the market by Julcas Audio International Corporation. The music has been composed by Wilfy Rebimbus, Ragdev, and Vijaybharathi.   

It may be recalled, that the Swamiji had stepped down and allowed his junior, Vishwapriyateertha Swamiji, to take over the Paryaya several years ago, after controversy arose about Swami Vibhudeshateertha’s right to take over the Paryaya rights, as he had crossed the seas while visiting overseas devotees earlier. The Swamiji had taken ill of late, and was moving about in his wheel chair. In him, the lineage of Swamijis of the district has lost a scholarly visionary. It may be recalled, that when controversy had again been raked up on the occasion of the ascension of the present Paryaya Swamiji Sri Sugunendrateertha of Puttige Mutt to Sarvajna Peetha last year, Vibhudeshateertha Swamiji had strongly advocated that the Puttige Swamiji should be allowed to take over Paryaya, even though he had crossed the seas, which has been banned as per the Mutt traditions.

His body will be taken to the base Admar Mutt near Padubidri later in the day. It may be noted that Sugunendrateertha Swamiji had ascended Paryaya Sarvajna Peeta at 5.55 am on January 18 last.

The management of the educational institutions for whom the late Swamiji acted as a guide and mentor, will now have to find an able successor, who is equally dedicated, far-sighted and driven by vision to educate the masses.

Dubai, Sept 10: The members of Karaval Milan celebrated the family feast “Monti Fest” on 10^th September at the residence of Wilson D’sa in Dubai.

President Eric D’souza welcomed the gathering.  James Pius D’souza conducted the prayers.  As tradition children’s offered flowers to infant Mary as the gathering was singing the hymn "Moriek Hogolsiyam...”

The committee members along with their families were present during the occasion. Wilson D’sa conducted various games for both children & elder.

Rony Byndoor, Glen Mendosa, Jyothi Mendosa, & Staney D’cunha entertained the gathering with melodious Konkani songs. Young talent Goldina D’souza won the hearts of every one by providing wonderful music throughout the programme.

Program concluded with the traditional home made dinner which was prepared by members it self. Nanu Marol, Thottam proposed the vote of thanks.

Udupi, Sep 9: Former state minister Vasant V Salian led a protest march on national highway (NH) 17 from  Padubidri to Hejamady in the district that are located five kms apart, on Wednesday September 9 morning, in order to draw the attention of both union and state governments, about the deplorable condition of the stretch of  NH 17 from Mangalore to Kundapur. 

The stretch of 100 kilometers of NH 17, from Mangalore to Kundapur is in so bad a shape that motoring on this road has become a nightmare to drivers of passenger buses, heavy vehicles, light vehicles as well as two wheeler riders. NH authorities used to attend the upkeep of highways as and when the pot-holes appeared on the road every year. But, the department has not attended to the maintenance works, under the guise of the plans to widen the stretch into four-lane road. However, the formalities of widening the road is progressing at a snail’s pace and will take some more years to materialize.  The stretch of the  highway here has been a witness to several ghastly accidents, resulting in the death of innocent victims, because of the mistake of the highway authorities.

The traffic on NH 17 between Padubidri to Hejamady was stalled for almost 20 minutes, due to the protest march led by former state minister Vasant V Salian. Meanwhile, the traffic policemen regulated the traffic till the protest march concluded.  

A memorandum was presented to the tahsildar Prasanna, for being delivered to both the state and union governments, urging them to direct the ministry of road transport, to undertake urgent repairs to NH 17 and save the daily commuters and road users from further hardships.  The copies of the same were also sent to union minister of law Veerappa Moily and Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes.

Taluk panchayat member Parvati G Bangera, Padubidri Billava Sangh president Sudhir Kumar, Hejamady gram panchayat president Subash Salian, Palimar gram panchayat president Karunakar Shetty, Sri Rama Sene district convener Rajesh Yermal and others took part in the march.