PANAJI: The Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA) commemorated the 171st birth anniversary of Goa’s legendary linguist and scholar, Mons. Sebastiao Rudolfo Dalgado, with “Dalgado Dis 2026” held on May 8 at the Reginald Fernandes Conference Hall, Panaji.
The event was graced by Prof. Oscar de Noronha as chief guest, alongside DKA President Fr. Myron Jeson Barreto, Vice President Anthony San Fernandes, Secretary Agnelo Borim, and Treasurer Willy Goes. A leaflet detailing Dalgado’s life and contributions was released on the occasion.
Prof. Noronha congratulated the Akademi for honouring eminent Konkani literary figures and urged continued promotion of research inspired by Dalgado’s legacy. He highlighted Dalgado’s extraordinary command over Marathi, Sanskrit, Kannada, English, Arabic, Persian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, French, Italian, and Spanish. Dalgado’s scholarly work firmly established Konkani as an independent language, and he is credited with compiling the first Konkani–Portuguese and Portuguese–Konkani dictionaries.
A lecture on Dalgado’s life and works was delivered by Willy Goes, former Principal of Goa College of Art. In his presidential address, Fr. Barreto called upon participants to walk in Dalgado’s footsteps and stressed the need for readers, writers, and thinkers to preserve literature for future generations.
Certificates were distributed to quiz winners: Monica Fernandes (first), Ana Tereza Ferreira (second), Menosha Da Costa (third), and Sandhya Fernandes (consolation). A song on Dalgado’s life was presented by Anthony San Fernandes. The programme ended with the national anthem.