Panaji: The Goa Konkani Akademi, while announcing its Konkani literary awards on Monday, introduced the Konkani Digital Kala Seva Award to recognise content creators using modern platforms to promote the Konkani language, Goa’s traditions, folk art, agriculture, salt pans and other aspects of Goan life.“Today’s generation consumes content digitally. We want to recognise those who are creatively using digital platforms to preserve and promote Konkani language, literature and culture,” Akademi president Purnanand Chari said.The award includes a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a memento, certificate of honour and shawl. John Aguiar is the 2025 awardee and Mahim Bhandari the 2026 awardee.Other awardees include Chetan Acharya for his poem ‘Yadincho Ganv’ (2025), Abhaykumar Velingkar for his essay ‘Kateganga’ (2025), and Prince Jacob for the Konkani Kala Seva Award (2026), among others.Writers Pundalik Naik (2025) and Devidas Kadam (2026) were selected for the Sahitya Pratibha Award, which includes Rs 50,000, a memento, a certificate of honour, and a shawl. Jayanti Naik (2025) and Balchandra Gaonkar (2026) were selected for the Sahitya Pradnya Award, with the same prize components.Chari said the Akademi’s demand for permanent infrastructure remains pending and that proposals and documentation have already been prepared and submitted, with the Akademi continuing to pursue the matter.He said the Akademi will organise a dedicated workshop for translators – a proposal that has been finalised – and is working with educational institutions and Goa University to encourage research and academic engagement in Konkani language and literature.“The publication of Konkani books is steadily increasing. Every week, around three new books are released, reflecting the enthusiasm of writers and the continued growth of the language,” Chari said.
