Mangaluru: As many as 631 deserving students were awarded scholarships worth Rs 3.5 Crore on August 24 by the Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation (KLCF) through Vishwa Konkani Student Scholarship Fund (VKSSF).
Addressing the gathering, T V Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Manipal Global Education (Manipal University) said, ” The Konkani speaking community is a small community in the world. If we lose our language, we too will lose our culture, identity and history. To make the Konkani speaking community an ideal and inspirational community in the world, the youth in the community should get good education and be good global citizens.”
He also informed that a country like America was advanced because of its universities and education provided to their youth. “The power of an idea can change the society,” he added.
“The financial growth of the community is the binding force that can bring the community into the mainstream. When a community becomes financially stronger, its culture also becomes noticeable,” he said.
Sidharth Sripad Kuncalienker, former MLA of Goa assembly, opined that the Konkani community could move forward when its people became industrious, intelligent and lived with integrity.
MLA Vedavyas Kamath, former MLA N Yogish Bhat, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, Dubai Michel D’ Souza, President of World Konkani Center Basti Vaman Shenoy, Chairman of VSSKF Ramadas Kamath U, Secretary of VKSSF Pradeep G Pai and President of Vishwa Konkani Alumni Association Niroshi Kumari and others were present.
