- 22 July, 2025
GOA, July 22, 2025 – The prestigious GULAB Awards, along with the Felicio Cardozo Journalism Award, were presented at a special function held in Margao on 20 July, marking the 72nd birth anniversary of the late Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa—founder-editor of GULAB, a renowned Konkani monthly published in the Roman script. Instituted by Fr. Freddy himself, these awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions to society, language, literature, culture, and Konkani journalism. Fr. Freddy was a priest of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
The function, organised by GULAB in collaboration with the Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa Memorial Trust, Felicio Cardoso-che Pattlavdar, and Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, witnessed a distinguished gathering at the Conference Hall of Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Noted businessman and Konkani publisher Mr. Agnelo Alcasoas graced the event as Chief Guest, while Fr. Myron Barretto, Manager of New Age Printers and a noted Konkani writer, was the Guest of Honour. The keynote address was delivered by historian and columnist Fr. Victor Ferrao, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, Borim.
In a compelling keynote, Fr. Ferrao urged the audience not to fall prey to propaganda promoting the idea that one particular script is “natural” to the Konkani language. “No script is natural for any language,” he asserted, adding, “we must not reduce language merely to writing.” Fr. Ferrao emphasised that language is a living, cultural reality—carried in sound, emotion, and expression—and cannot be confined to any single script. His address was a call for linguistic inclusivity and a rejection of narrow standardisations.
Mr. Agnelo Alcasoas, recalling the early days of GULAB magazine, paid glowing tribute to Fr. Freddy J. Da Costa, calling him a “great Konkani man” and a tireless promoter of the language. He appealed to the gathering to continue supporting GULAB in its mission to uphold the Roman script tradition.
Fr. Myron Barretto fondly remembered how Fr. Freddy had launched New Age Printers 25 years ago on his own birthday, dedicating it to the service of Konkani.
“He worked selflessly for the cause of Konkani,” Fr. Myron said, adding that GULAB has played a vital role in creating leaders, nurturing writers, and increasing readership in Roman-script Konkani.
In his welcome address, GULAB editor Fausto V. Da Costa reflected on the challenges of publishing the magazine and acknowledged the support of contributors and readers over the years. “We Goans need to understand the importance of having a magazine in the mother tongue. We need to work hard to preserve Konkani in Roman script the way our forefathers worked for it,” he emphasised.
Award Winners Recognised for 2024:
GULAB Personality of the Year: Prabhakar Dattatray Bhide of Rajhauns Vitaran
GULAB Writer of the Year: Tiatr artist and Konkani writer Teotonio Costa
Felicio Cardoso Journalism Award: Rupesh Samant, Head of PTI’s Goa Bureau and Director of Goa News Hub
The panel of judges comprising Guadalupe Dias, Marcos Gonsalves, Chetan Acharya, Philomena Samfrancisco, and Br. John Malvino Alfonso OCD was responsible for selecting the recipients of this year's ( 2024) three GULAB awards. All awardees and felicitated personalities expressed heartfelt sentiments upon receiving the honours.
Veteran tiatrist and freedom fighter Cyriaco Dias was specially felicitated for his lifetime contribution to Tiatr and the Goan freedom movement, while retired judge and cultural advocate Vincent D’Silva was honoured for his dedicated service in law, civic engagement, and Konkani culture.
The evening was further enlivened with songs and comic acts, adding a festive yet reflective tone to the celebration. Avito Pires de Menezes served as the anchor for the event, and a vote of thanks was proposed by Manager of GULAB, Fabian Da Costa.
By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD
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