The Launching Ceremony of the First World Konkani Cultural Convention was held with great grandeur. The chief guest on the occasion was, Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure, Government of Karnataka, Mr G Janardhana Reddy.

The event unfolded with a song by the Goan troupe, ‘Goenchim Neketram’, which was followed by the ever-immortal ‘dekhnni’ ‘Hanv Saiba Poltodi Vetam’.

The formal programme began with the welcome address by Mandd Sobhann Gurkaar, Mr Eric Ozario, who also presented before the gathering an idea of what the World Konkani Cultural Convention will involve. Mr Rony Colaco, who spoke immediately thereafter, gave a call to all Konkani people to rally around this event, which would showcase to the world the beauty and the rich variety of Konkani culture.

The Muhurth was simple but very meaningful affair. Four ladies of the Goan troupe, dressed in traditional costumes, ceremoniously brought betel leaves, areca nuts, rice, ‘kumkum’, ‘haldi’ and jasmine, and placed it on the brass plate held by the Minister. A man, traditionally attired, brought a small pot of water and poured it into a smaller brass pot and gave it to the Minister. The Minister then handed over the plate and pot to the chairman of the reception committee with the words – “Go unto the world and invite all Konkanis to participate in this world event.” The muhurth was accompanied by fireworks and traditional music by the Goan troupe.

The Minister wished the convention well and promised a personal as well as considerable grant from the Government of Karnataka.

It was indeed a grand beginning to a grand world-event – The First World Konkani Cultural Convention. Mandd Sobhann is planning curtain-raisers in Mumbai, Goa and Dubai, in the coming days as a run-up to the event.