Team Goemkarponn
TALEIGAO: Goa University organised the 22nd All-Goa Late Poet Shankar Ramani Konkani Poetry Recitation Competition, titled ‘Kavya Srujan 2026’, at the university campus in Bambolim on Wednesday morning. The event, which began at 10.30 am, was organised by the Konkani Saraswat Mandal of the Department of Language and Literature, Goa University.
The programme was inaugurated in the presence of chief guest John Aguiar, along with Dean Prof. Anuradha Wagle, President Dr. Prakash Peryenkar, Coordinator Prof. Sanika Gaonkar, Saraswat Mandal President Simran Virnodkar, Secretary Saijal Bandodkar, and Vice-Dean Dr. Hanumant Chopdekar.
The event commenced with an invocation song. While welcoming the gathering, coordinator Prof. Sanika Gaonkar said that the Konkani Saraswat Mandal does not merely function to organise programmes, but also aims to teach how events should be meaningfully conducted. The competition was then formally inaugurated.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest John Aguiar described poetry as a powerful medium of expression. “Poetry is an ocean of emotions and a reflection of thoughts, presented by weaving words together,” he said.
Dean Prof. Anuradha Wagle, highlighting the strength of poetry, said that in just a few lines, poets can express joy, sorrow, social realities, and even visions of the future. Presiding over the function, Dr. Prakash Peryenkar advised participants to read works of earlier poets to understand their emotions, sensitivity, and the context of their times, which would help shape their own writing.
Students presented self-composed poems on themes such as the Konkani mother tongue, social issues, and love. The competition was judged by Baban Bhagat and Milan Vaingankar. Saijal Bandodkar proposed the vote of thanks, while the inaugural session was compered by Nigel Pereira.
During the concluding session, attended by John Aguiar, Baban Bhagat, Milan Vaingankar, Dr. Prakash Peryenkar, Prof. Sanika Gaonkar, and Simran Virnodkar, the ‘Kavya Srujan’ souvenir of the Saraswat Mandal was released at the hands of the chief guest. President Simran Virnodkar expressed gratitude to all those involved in making the event a success. The concluding session was compered by Shriya.
The prize winners were announced as follows: First Prize was won by Akanksha Gaonkar, bringing the rolling trophy to Kare College of Law, Jaitivant Mahavidyalaya. Second Prize went to Akanksha Terne of Ganpat Parsekar College, Harmal, while Third Prize was secured by Pratiksha Sangavkar of Government College, Quepem.
