UDAY BHEMBRE, eminent Konkani writer, dramatist, poet, scholar and editor of Konkani daily "Sunaparant", was awarded the Kullagar Award, for his meritorious contribution to the cause of Konkani language, literature and culture. Instituted by the Kullagar Prakashan, the award is awarded annually.

Musician-writer BONAVENTURE D'PIETRO, wellknown among Konkani (roman script) readers for his engrossing novels, magazines and articles, has released his latest book "Nazaretkar", which is a religious book based on Jesus. The narrative is in three parts, and tells readers how he experienced Jesus in his life--through poverty--, followed by the suffering of Jesus and ending with the story of the shroud of Turin. For the first time the documentation on the shroud is being discussing, in detail, in Konkani. The book has a foreword by Jesuit writer, Fr Moreno de Souza, who has thoroughly checked the book to ensure that there are no factual or other inaccuracies.

VIOLIN VIRTUOSO AT ELEVEN: The youngest violinist performing at Emiliano's "Nostalgia" was Benedicto A Fernandes. The 11-year-old boy completed grade 4 in violin and music theory grade three with distinction, and piano grade two with merits from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London. His violin training was under famed violinist , the late Varghese from Kuwait and from Herald, followed by training under David of the Goa Police Band and Yugoslavian tutor Markovic Dragan. Benedicto learnt the theory of music under Xezary Owerkowiccz, wellknown maestro and chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Philarmonic. On January 4, Benedict performed on the violin at the Kala Academy's Black Box. So young and yet he performs so magnificently.

MARIA DE LOURDES BRAVO DA COSTA RODRIGUES may be a pretty long name but its owner too is pretty well known wellknown in academic circles. Every Goan researcher has sometime or other met this affable lady, who mans the rare books section of the Central Library in Panjim. Lourdes' has a passion for cooking and her innate love for innovation has resulted into some really exciting Goan dishes. She had written quite a bit on Goan cuisine earlier in various publications but this time round she has come out with her own book on Goan cuisine. It has been aptly titled Tasty Morsels: Goan Food Ingredients and Preparation. Her book will not only help researchers on Goan food but every housewife at a loss to find what to cook and how for tasty meal.

Recently, CELIA LAWSON, a stage and television artist in Portugal, was seen performing in Goa. Celia represented Portugal in the Eurovision contest in Dublin in 1997. She had also won the Festival de Cancao comanised by RTP and was the finalist at the Chuva de Estralas in 1996. With an album First to her credit, she is the resident singer of Casino Estoril. Her parents--Walter and Tereza--hail from Verem in Bardez.

DR JcomE RENATO FERNANDES, president of the Indo-Portuguese Friendship Society (Goa) and Delegate of Fundacao Ciadade de Lisboa, was awarded the most prestigious "Vikas Ratna Award" for his outstanding contribution in the sphere of social work and politics. These awarded are bestowed on extraordinary men and women in various endeavours. Some of the past recipients include: Mother Tereza, former Vice president B D Jatti and other eminent personalities. The award will be conferred on Dr Fernandes on February 15 in New Delhi.

SALIGAOCAR ON BBC: Dr Melville da Cruz, Clinical Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, was among the privileged few taking part in the worldwide BBC broadcast from Kings College, Cambridge, recently. With roots in Saligao, after finishing his MMBS, the UWA medical graduate completed a Master's Degree in Medical Science in cochlear physiology and then went to the Cambridge university, with a Clinical Fellowship in skull-based surgery and otology, which was concurrent with a Research Fellowship at Kings College. He is an accomplished violinist too.

BRAZILLIAN VISITORS: Goan Professor Dr Eduardo Judas Barros, Director of the Centre for Afro-Asian studies at the University of Lourdina in Brazil, was in Goa to arrange the visit to India of a group of 12 members of the Brazillian parliament.

SAD DEMISE: Anand Rao, son of Smt Sushila and Capt Bantwal Arun Rao of 15, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim, in Goa, passed away on January 1, 2000. Just about two months back, I had visited ever-smiling Anand, who was destined to his wheel chair as well as to death, due to a rare disease he was suffering from. But Anand was ever cheerful and knowledgeable. He loved the computer and communicated with his acquaintancies through the email. He operated the computer through a programme which recognised voice commands. He had to talk because his limbs were in no state to help in any way to use the keyboards or the mouse. When I had expressed surprise over his flawless Konkani language, Anand had told me that his parents are Konkani speaking Goans. They are probably the descendants of those who had escaped Goa probably due to conversion and settled in North Kanara.