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Shenoi Goembab : Konkani person of the milennium
Late Waman Raghunath Varde Walaulikar, widely known as Shenoi Goembab, is the Konkani Person of the Millennium. The award has been accorded by Mandd Sobhann, the organisation working in Mangalore in the Konkani movement. This was announced at a press conference by Eric Ozario, president of Mandd Sobhann, here in the city on the occasion of his 54th death anniversary, which is observed as Konkani Dis (Konkani Day). "It was a unanimous choice", said Ozario proudly. The selection committee comprised of eminent Konkani activists and scholars from different parts of the country. It comprised of G M B Rodrigues of Mumbai, Dr Tanaji Halarnkar and Felicio Cardoz from Goa, Prof Edward Noronha from Mysore, Basti Waman Shenoi and Rev Msgr Alexander D'Souza from Mangalore and Ozario representing the Mandd Sobhann. "Shenoi Goembab was chosen above everyone else for his most unique and unparalleled contributions to Konkani language and literature and for his life-long commitment and inspiring leadership of the Konkani movement and the cause of Konkani identity", says Ozario. The Millennium Award, consisting of the title, a citation, gold medal and Source: www.goanews.com
LIFE IN BRIEF Konkani Person of the Milennium Award Waman Raghunath Shenoi Varde Walaulikar remains in the history of Goa forever. Known as Shenoi Goembab for generations together, he is still the inspiring light for generations to come. His contribution to Goa is immense, which cannot be simply valued by the 22 books he has written. Though Konkani activists scattered all over the World consider Shenoi Goembab as the Father of Konkani Movement, his contribution was not limited to the linguistic movement alone. He was one of the equally great historian, who not only documented the history of Goa but analysed it objectively. His contributions in historical field inspire any common reader till today and provides proper direction to the 'lost' identity of any Goan residing in any part of the World. He was the first to lay open our history before us and tell us : "We have a history of our own. We need not rely on the glory of others. Those who live in other people's shade, do not become great themselves. We are not naive. We have only to soar high and let the seed of glory within us grow. Only then shall we make our future." Born in the town of Bicholim on June 23, 1877, Wamanbab began learning at the age of four. He studied the primary in Marathi and later passed the 'Segundo Grau' in Portuguese. He studied Sanskrit and English at home due to financial problems. In 1893 he went to Bombay with his paternal Uncle and passed the High School Grade in 1898. After he returned to Goa, he began teaching in a School. But since he did not get the necessary satisfaction, he went to Karachi. After working there for a while, he returned to Mumbai. He worked for the Italian Consulate there and later joined a German Company as a chief accountant. The Germans left for their country, leaving the affairs in the hands of Shenoi Goembab, during the First World War. When they returned, they had a word of praise for the uprightness of this great Goan. Later, he became the Secretary of the Company. But when his ego was hurt, he resigned, and dedicated the rest of his life for Konkani. "You might fill your belly if you study other languages. But your deeds will
Everything what we want is within ourselves - knowledge, wisdom, strength, enterprise. Despite all this, we do not have the capacity to master others. This is why our talents are not being used for ourselves and for our country. We have been shining under others' lamps, observed Shenoi Goembab. It is still the same story where we have not intercepted enough to grow high and high. In order that Goans may carve out their own futures, he gave us a mantra : Konkani language. He asked, "My dear fellows, why are you sleeping ? Arise ! We need not depend on the glory of other languages. Our language hails from the rich, well-known family. Let us serve our mother - tongue, and hold our head high". He has written 22 Konkani books in Devnagri script and seven in Roman. He has made valuable original contributions in almost all forms of literature – short stories, novels, poetry, drama, essays, linguistics, philosophy, history etc. His works in the field of history, linguistics and philosophy are classics and are recognised by renowned scholars till date. In fact it would be an attempt to make him pretty small if he is called the guide
only of the Konkani literary movement. Shenoi Goembab was a great historian,
philosopher and a philanthropist. His contribution is not limited to Konkani language
alone but Goa as a whole. He worked tirelessly for Golden Goa till he breathed last
on 9 April 1946.
Date of birth Place of birth Date of Death Place of Death Education Languages studied Occupation Major books written Source: www.goanews.com |
