Fr. Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar (APKP) 2026 award ceremony.

Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) held its 36th edition of Fr. Antonio Pereira Konknni Puroskar on its lush green lawns on 26th January 2026. Mr. Fausto V. Da Costa, a journalist, an editor, writer, publisher, director and a producer was the chief guest of the Award Ceremony. Fr. Pedro Rodrigues, SJ, the Provincial Superior of the Jesuit Province of Goa was the Guest of honour. The ceremony began with the prayer dance by the Babyland Kindergarten children, Porvorim. The Director of TSKK, Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai then addressed the audience welcoming the dignitaries, the awardees, the lovers of Konkani and the friends of TSKK. A short musical performance—a repertoire of six Konkani Cantaram, well chosen for the occasion set the mood for the ceremony. The performances comprised of two duets and four solos sung by Venancia Lobo, Susana Sampayo, Agnelo Fernandes, Edgar D’ Souza, Brendan Fernandes and Stephen Sampayo. This was followed by the dignitaries being welcomed with a bouquet of flowers. After introducing to the audience, the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour, the latter gave away the scholarships for a few deserving and promising students who pursued their school curriculum with Konkani as a subject of choice.

These scholarships are instituted by Mrs. Louvella Baptista; Mrs. Fatima Aguiar Rodrigues; Mr. Vincy Quadros, Mr and Mrs. Joaquim ani Cynthia Menezes ani Mrs. Diana D’ Souza—to the one securing highest percentage in Konkani for SSC and HSSC; to the one whose mother tongue is neither Konkani nor Marathi and yet has taken Konkani as the third language at the middle school level (Std. VIII) and in other categories. Thereafter, Venancia Lobo, Susana Sampayo, Stephen Sampayo and Swara Pednekar took turns to introduce each of the awardees, before the chief guest bestowed upon them the honour. Dr. Jack Sequeira Konknni Puroskar 2025, instituted by Mr. Pio Esteves for a Goan towards his contribution to Konkani language and its culture in the Roman Script was awarded to Mr. Edvin Fernandes. Maria Afonso Konknni Puroskar 2025, instituted by Fr. Ave Maria Afonso for a Goan priest/nun/religious who has contributed to the growth of the Konknni Language and culture in the Roman Script was awarded to Fr. Milagres Dias. Valerio Carvalho Konknni Puroskar 2025, instituted by Mr. Roque Carvalho for a Goan girl/lady who has worked for Konknni in the Roman script was awarded to Miss.

Tancia Pires. Fr. Casimiro D’ Mello Konknni Puroskar 2025, instituted by Ms. Marjorie D’ Sa for a Goan activist, who works tirelessly to defend and promote Konkani in diverse ways was awarded to Fr. Gabriel Coutinho. The Martir Floriano Vaz Konknni Puroskar 2025, instituted by Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) for a best selected book of the Year in Roman Konkani is awarded to Fr. Eusebio Gomes, SFX for his book, “Satvik Vichearanchi ek Ganthonn.” This was followed by the release of two books. The first included the 28th edition of SOD, the TSKK’s Annual Research Journal. The second book was on the life of Fr. Thomas Stephens, SJ—the first British Jesuit in India and a great Konkani scholar, after whom the TSKK is being named. This book is based on the original Marathi text by Dr. Cecilia Carvalho, titled, “Olivla Rogoddli Tullxichi Pane,” which was translated in Devnagari Konkani by Dr. Pandurang Phaldesai and now transliterated in Romi Konkani by Ashok Chodankar. After the book release, the chief guest honoured Bro. Eusebio V. Miranda, SFX, the long-time editor of Vauradeancho Ixtt with the APKP, an award instituted by the TSKK in honour of Late Fr. Antonio Pereira SJ, to a Goan, who has rendered service to the Konkani language and culture for a period of 15 years and more. This award comprises of a shawl, a memento, a certificate of recognition and a cash prize of 30,000. This was followed by three speeches—one of the awardees, the guest of honour and the chief guest. Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, who spoke on behalf of all the six awardees highlighted on the great need to introduce teaching Romi Konkani in the schools so that children can learn the language in a script that they best understand and can easily vibe with. He appealed to the Konkani teachers to teach Konkani to the children not only to score well in the exams but to be able to speak fluently. Fr. Pedro Rodrigues, SJ the guest of honour appreciating the big presence of the audience at the ceremony appealed to the lovers of Konkani to support the activities of TSKK and contribute towards promoting and preserving Konkani. Mr. Fausto V. Da Costa, the chief guest, specifying the fact that four of the six awardees were priests and religious, and highlighting the pivotal role played by the Church stated, “ if Konkani in the Roman script continues in Goa, the first credit goes to the Church.” Emphasizing the inseparable link between Konkani and Goan identity, he appealed to the audience to be proud of their language. Briefly tracing Church’s contribution to Romi Konkani across generations, from Fr. Thomas Stephens to this day, he called for a serious academic engagement on the history of Konkani in the Roman Script. The award ceremony came to the culmination with a vote of thanks by Fr. Kelwin Monteiro, SJ, the administrator and secretary-cum-treasurer of TSKK, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem. Fr. Ave Maria Afonso and Dr. Janet Fernandes were the Masters of the Ceremony for the evening.