Focusing on the topic ‘Goychim Zhaddam Goyche Lok’ the keynote speaker of the day, Minguel Braganza, assistant professor of Horticulture, Don Bosco College of Agriculture, Quepem, said that Goans and plants are inseparable. “Many fruit bearing plants have come from abroad,” he said, “and we Goans have only adopted them.” Elaborating further, he informed that though Goans boast today for the production of cashew nuts and cashew feni, it was brought from Brazil to the Konkan by the travellers.”

Braganza also threw light on medicinal plants like aloe vera and bhium amla. He laid stress on the promotion of floriculture and florist trade in the state.

A special mention was made by the speaker about the existence of branched palm and rare cucumber tree which is seen only around Campal, Miramar and old Patto bridge in Panjim. He also made a note of the fish-tail palm and its toddy which is drunk and can be made into jaggery.

A special mention was made by the speaker about the existence of branched palm and rare cucumber tree which is seen only around Campal, Miramar and old Patto bridge in Panjim. He also made a note of the fish-tail palm and its toddy which is drunk and can be made into jaggery.

The recipients of Gulab awards included Fr Conceicao D’Silva (Man of the Year 2014), Master Vaz (Gulab Tiatrist 2014) and Bro John Malvino Afonso (Gulab Writer 2014). They were felicitated at the hands of the chief guest, Caitu D’Silva, the MLA of Benaulim.

D’Silva said that there was an urgent need for Goans to preserve their mother tongue and if that task was fulfilled, then ‘Goykarponn’ would remain in the State. “If you are a true Goan, then speak Konkani,” he concluded.

Bro Alfonso said that Konkani language has standard, but it needs to be raised to greater heights and that is possible only if Goans work unitedly for a common cause.

Dalgado Konkani Akademi (DKA), Premanand Lotlikar informed about the master plan the academy was working upon to create feelings towards Konkani among the masses. He lamented that Goans were slowly moving away from Konkani due to western culture.

Fr Eusebio Gomes also spoke on the occasion. Neleve Performing Arts Academy from Cansaulim rendered two mandos which were composed by late Fr Freddy da Costa. Present on the occasion was Serefina da Costa, mother of late Fr da Costa.