Mangalore Diocese News

Media Release

Ferar - Mangaluru, Aug 19, 2025 : The Silver Jubilee celebration of Ferarchem Preran, the church magazine of St. Francis Church, Ferar, was marked with a Konkani Literary Conference and Poetica Kavigoshti 42, along with the observance of Konkani Recognition Day, held on Sunday morning, August 17, at the church hall.

In his presidential address, Rev. Fr. James D'Souza, parish priest of Ferar Church, appealed to the gathering with the words: "If we do not preserve Konkani, who else will? If we do not nurture Konkani, how will it ever grow?"

Mr. Richard Moras, convener of the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, hoisted the Konkani Recognition Day flag. Author Dolphy Lobo delivered an insightful lecture on Konkani literature and its diverse forms.

The Kavigoshti, organized in collaboration with Poetica, was the 42nd in the series and was moderated by poet Henry Mascarenhas and poetess Dr. Flavia Castelino of Manipal. Twenty poets presented their self-composed poems. They included Jossie Pinto from Kinnigoli, Lavi Ganjimath, Naveen Pereira from Suratkal, Lloyd Rego from Taccode, Fr. James D'Souza from Taccode, Eddy Kaddos from Taccode, Pedru Prabhu from Taccode, Raymond D'Cunha from Taccode, Vinod Pinto from Taccode, Edwin Pinto from Gantalkatte, George Ligory from Suratkal, Reshma Rego from Ferar, Pratima Clara Prabhu from Ferar, Anishka Riya from Ferar, Priya Sequeira from Ferar, Ronald Albuquerque from Ferar, Lavi Ganjimath from Ferar, Rolvia Sequeira from Ferar, Hilda Pinto from Ferar, and Sunil Gonsalves from Madanthyar.

All writers, poets, and well-wishers were honored with Silver Jubilee mementos of Ferarchem Preran. The special memento sponsored by Dr. Austin Prabhu of Chicago was presented to the organizers and received by Rev. Fr. James D'Souza. The award for the best poem, sponsored by Rovin D'Souza of Shantipura, was conferred on Lavi Ganjimath.

Editor of Ferarchem Preran, Lavi Ganjimath, welcomed the gathering. Shalet Saldanha delivered the vote of thanks, while Melwyn Albuquerque compered the event. Poetica head Naveen Pereira of Suratkal expressed gratitude to all contributors. Church pastoral council secretary Henry Mascarenhas was also present on the dais.

On this occasion, Mrs. Leena Rodrigues, who had meticulously preserved all the issues of Ferarchem Preran published over the past 25 years, organized a special exhibition showcasing them.