Sandesha, Regional Centre for Social Communication confers its Annual Awards on six eminent personalities.
Mangaluru: Multilingual actor Prakash Raj on Friday 13-Jan-2017 gave a call to derive inspiration from a tree, which he described as epitome of peace.
Speaking after receiving the Sandesha Award in the category of media (film), Raj recalled his recent visit to a forest where he came across a huge tree. “The tree though a witness to years gone by, stands in peace. Why aren’t we like that? Let’s all be like a tree,” said Rai.
Raj, who hails from undivided Dakshina Kannada district, spoke about his recent venture Prakashraj Foundation, saying he would look forward to receiving the award as a farmer in the later years, as he has adopted a village in Telangana under his foundation.
Kamala Hampana, who was conferred the award for her achievements in the field of literature, said that she has the zeal to continue with her tryst with literature. She was equally elated to recall the 71st Kannada literary meet held at Moodbidri, with her as chairperson.
John Devaraj, who was bestowed with Special recognition award, described the award as a stimulus to carry forward the work of bridging gaps in Society.
K. Yuvaraj, a renowned folk singer who was conferred award in the field of art, expressed his gratitude by rendering a song that impressed the gathering.
Anil Patrao, who received award for Konkani Music, too rendered a Konkani Song he had penned along with his brother, while the Shamitha Rao – Renita Lobo Duo, who run Mother Theresa Memorial School at Shankaranarayana in Udupi district shared their enduring story with the gathering. They were conferred the Sandesha Education Award.
Bishop of Ballari diocese Most Rev. Henry D Souza delivering his presidential address said, “Today’s seven achievers will be the role models for a young generation to follow in their footsteps, as they look forward to inspiration in their dreams. We need to appreciate what Sandesha has been doing in promoting art and culture by training the youth in these fields, and in collaboration with various government and non-government organization have been conducting inter-religious, inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue, which is of great importance in the present society”.
Kannada Sahithya Parishat president Manu Baligar eulogised Sandesha Foundation for Culture and Education, who have instituted the awards. He lauded their efforts at identifying and bringing people from different faiths together. Besides, the very name ‘Sandesha’ meaning ‘Message’ in English spreads the significance of equality, sympathy and secular, most essential for the country, he said.
MLA J R Lobo said, "We need to remember the journey of Sandesha Foundation. Today this Foundation stands tall in the state. Sandesha Award has always been a prestigious award and Sandesha Foundation has always recognised eminent personalities to be worthy of this award."
Sandesha has been honouring personalities from the past 26 years who have made significant contribution to Kannada, Konkani and Tulu Literature, Media, Education Art and Culture.
By choosing to award the deserving persons based on the basis of merit, the Sandesha Awards have gained recognition of their own standard.
Na D'Souza, Dr Na Damodar Shetty, Sara Abubakker, Chandrakala Nandavar, Eric Ozario and Richard Louis are the Juries of Sandesha Awards. These Awards have been selected with guidance of Rev. Fr Victor Vijay Lobo, the Director of Sandesha.
Momentoes were presented to the founders of the award.
Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Aloysious Paul D'Souza, chief whip of Legislative Council Ivan D'Souza, president of Sandesha Awards jury Na D Souza, trustee Fr Ivan Pinto and others were present.
President of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Roy Castelino proposed the vote of thanks. Mallika Shetty compered the programme.
The award ceremony was followed by a cultural event by Sandesha Kala Kendra and Padua College students.
