Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy passes away
Mangaluru, Jan 02, 2022: Vishwa Konkani Sardar Basti Vaman Shenoy breathed his last today. He was 88.
In the last couple of months, Basti Vaman Shenoy’s health condition had deteriorated due to age-related illness.
His mortal remains will be kept at World Konkani Center for the public to pay homage from 9 am to 10 am on January 3. He will be cremated at his birthplace in Bantwal at noon on Monday.
Born on November 6, 1934, at Bantwal, Basti Vaman Shenoy completed his SSLC from SVS High School, Bantwal. After retirement from Syndicate Bank Shenoy involved himself completely in Konkani activities and headed the Konkani Basha Mandal Karnataka.
He organized the World Konkani Convention in 1995 bringing together all factions of Konkani Speaking communities across the globe. He was conferred with the title of Vishwa Konkani Sardar for this remarkable fete. The week-long Convention was attended by over 5000 delegates from various parts of the world.
In 2009 he founded the World Konkani Centre in 2009 at Shakti Nagar, Mangaluru under the asupises of Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan. He served as the president of the Prathistan from its inception till 2021. Later he served as the Co-Chairman Emeritus.
One of the major works during his tenure was success in bringing together the Konkani people spread across various cast, religion and region in the service of the mother tongue.
Under his leadership, World Konkani Centre spearheaded several programs for the preservation of Konkani Language, culture and welfare of Konkani speaking communities.
He strived for the recognition of Konkani Language and inclusion in 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India. Thanks to which we see the Konkani Language in every currency note that is in circulation in India.
The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy was formed by the Government of Karnataka on the demands of the Konkani people which was ably conveyed to the Government under the leadership of Basti Vaman Shenoy. He also served as the President of the Academy from 1997 to 2001.
Considering his service to Konkani language and culture he was conferred with Karnataka Rajyothsava Award in 2010.
The Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan has instituted Sri Basti Vaman Shenoy Vishwa Konkani Seva Puraskar for the outstanding public service by Konkani people.
He leaves behind two sons, a daughter, grandchildren and a large family of followers, well-wishers and thousands of scholars who have been beneficiaries of the Vishwa Konkani Student Scholarship Programme.
R. V. Deshapande, Chairman Emeritus, Dr. P. Dayananda Pai, Chairman, T.V.Mohandas Pai, Chief Mentor, Ramadas Kamath U., Ullas Kamath, K.V. Kamath, Madam Grace Pinto, President Nandagopal Shenoy, Pradeep G. Pai, B. R. Bhat, Giridhar Kamath, Dr. K. Mohan Pai, K. B. Kharvi, Narayan Naik, Ramesh Naik, Gilbert D’Souza, Melvyn Rodrigues, William D’Souza, Allen C. A. Pereira and all the Trustees of Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan have expressed their heartfelt condolences.
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