Basti Vaman Shenoy
Encyclopedia
Basti Vaman Madhav Shenoy is a noted Konkani Activist popularly known as Vishwa Konkani Sardar (World Konkani Leader) and is the founder of World Konkani Centre
World Konkani Centre
World Konkani Centre Konkani: विश्व कोंकणी केंद्र Kannada:ವಿಶ್ವ ಕೊಂಕಣಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ was founded by Konkani Bhas Ani Sanskriti Prathistan Konkani: कोंकणी भास आनी संस्कृति प्रतिष्टान/ಕೊಂಕಣಿ ಭಾಸ್ ಆನಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟಾನ್ at Konkani Gaon, Shakti Nagar, Mangalore "to serve as a nodal agency for the...

 in Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...

.

Early life

Basti Vaman Shenoy born in a Goud Saraswat Brahmin household on 6 November 1934 in Bantwal
Bantwal
Bantwal is a taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. It is also a town by the same name. The adjacent township of B.C.Road serves as the commercial center.- History :...

 a small trading town on the banks of River Netravathi in Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kannada
- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...

 District of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...

. His father Basti Madhav Shenoy popularly known as Motra Madhav was booking agent of then famous CPC Bus Service of Mangalore. Basti Madhav Shenoy was revered by people of all communities because of his leadership qualities. Vaman Shenoy's Mother was Gowri alias Bhagirathi. He passed out of Tenth Standard (SSLC) in 1952 from the SVS High School in Bantwal. He wanted to pursue higher education and become a Teacher but due to his family conditions he had to leave school and join his father to help in his business. For a brief period he also worked in Canara Bank. Vaman Shenoy's father died in 1957 with this the responsibility of whole family fell on the shoulders of Vaman Shenoy. He married Savithri in 1959.

Early Social Activities

Basti Vaman Shenoy involved in Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...

 and it's trade union wing INTUC Activities in Bantwal between 1954 and 1962 and during this period he was influenced by T. A. Pai
T. A. Pai
Tonse Ananth Pai , , a Goud Saraswat Brahmin, was responsible for the success of Syndicate bank as its General Manager and later as Chairman....

. Basti Vaman Shenoy is instrumental in founding Saraswathi Kala Prasarak Sangh and Saraswathi Sangeeth Shala Bantwal in 1958. He was also an active member of Yashvanth Vyayam Shala. He used to take part in Konkani Dramas and Theatrical activities during festivities in Bantwal.

He joined Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...

 in 1972 and rendered his service to the society as Rotarian in various capacity. In 1974 he organised Eye Camps and Dental Camps in Bantwal Taluk. For his humanitarian initiatives in providing relief to the Flood Victims of 1974 Flood of Netravati River in Bantwal Taluk he received Special Significance Award in Rotary Dist. 318 at Mysore. He became the president of Rotary Club in Moodabidri and organised Eye Camps and Dental Camps along with other social initiatives.

In 1977 he became the correspondent of SVS Schools in Bantwal. During this term he constructed a new building block for School Library. Basti Vaman Shenoy became the President of Yashavanth Vyayam Shala in Bantwal in 1980. He took initiative to revive the age old "Mall Khamb" and organised performance tours to several places in Karnataka. In association with Kasturba Medical College he setup an Outreach Speacialist Clinic in Vyayama Shala premises in 1988.

Career

T. A. Pai
T. A. Pai
Tonse Ananth Pai , , a Goud Saraswat Brahmin, was responsible for the success of Syndicate bank as its General Manager and later as Chairman....

 liked the leadership qualities and enthusiasm of young Vaman Shenoy and asked him to join Syndicate Bank
Syndicate Bank
Syndicate Bank Ltd. is one of the oldest and major commercial banks of India. At the time of its establishment, the bank was known as Canara Industrial and Banking Syndicate Limited. The bank, along with 13 major commercial banks of India, was nationalized on 19 July 1969, by the Government of...

 in 1962. He joined Panemangalore Branch as Clerk. Within 20 months he was promoted as Officer and won many laurels for his outstanding performance in rural banking and deposit mobilisation.In 1996 he became the Manager of newly started Raibhag Branch in Belagaum District. There he won Gold Medal for his exemplary performance Agricultural Finance. In 1972 he transferred and returned to Panemangalore where he started his Banking Career from, took over as Manager of the Branch.

In 1974 Villages on the banks of River Netravati in Bantwal Taluk got submerged in the flood. Basti Vaman Shenoy took initiative in setting up several relief camps in the Taluk and supported the industry and trade activities by refinancing the traders through Syndicate Bank. He served Syndicate Bank in various Branches including Shimoga and Moodabidri
Moodabidri
Moodabidri , is a small town 37 km northeast of the Dakshina Kannada district headquarters, Mangalore, in Karnataka, India....

 till his voluntary retirement in 1992.

As Konkani Activist

Basti Vaman Shenoy's membership to the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnatak dates back to 1980 but it was in 1992 after his retirement from his Banking Career he devoted completely to Konkani Activities. Paul Moras, the then President of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnatak entrusted him the post of Organising Secretary of the Konkani Jatha a movement for organising people to demand establishment of Konkani Academy. He along with others toured extensively to organise 'Jathas' (Rally) in several cities of Karnataka State. Jatha Submitted the Memorandum demanding Konkani Academy for the state with the Karnataka Government in 1992 October.

In 1993 Basti Vaman Shenoy became the President of Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Karnatak. He was instrumental in initiating Teaching of Konkani Language in Canara High School Mangalore. He rigorously lobbied the Karnataka state Government for the establishment of Konkani Academy. Because of his efforts in 1994-5 the then Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr. Veerappa Moily
Veerappa Moily
Moodbidri Veerappa Moily is the current Minister of Corporate Affairs in the Indian government. Moily was elected as MP of the Chickballapur district by a wide margin in 2009. He currently serves as the All India Congress Committee General Secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh...

 announced the establishment of Konkani Academy in the state. Thus Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy came in to existence.
In 1995 from 16 December to 22, under the auspice of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnatak, as Chief Convener, Basti Vaman Shenoy organised First World Konkani Convention
First World Konkani Convention
The First World Konkani Convention was held in Mangalore, Karnataka, India, from December 16 to 22, 1995.In 1995 from December 16 to 22, First World Konkani Convention was held in Mangalore under the auspice of Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnatak, Konkani Activist and organiser Basti Vaman Shenoy was...

 in Mangalore. Margaret Alva
Margaret Alva
Margaret Alva is the Governor of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Alva became Uttarakhand's first woman governor in July 2009...

, the then Central Minister was the Hon. Chairman, and K.K.Pai was the Chairman of the Organising Committee. 5000 Delegates from all over the world attended this Convention. The Convention bought together Konkani Speaking People from all regions, Religion, dialect and sub communities. The then Chief Minister of Karnataka H.D. Deve Gowda inaugurated the Convention. The 7 Days convention consisting of seminars, debates, cultural presentations, exhibition and food festival was a grand success. Delegates honoured Basti Vaman Shenoy with a title of "Vishwa Konkani Sardar" (World Leader of Konkani). Basti Vaman Shenoy presented before the gathering of world representatives of Konkani People his dream to establish a permanent entity for the preservation and promotion of Konkani language, art and culture. The convention unanimously gave a mandate to establish World Konkani Centre in Mangalore wide a resolution in the valedictory function of the Convention.

In 1996 Basti Vaman Shenoy inaugurated First North American Konkani Convention at New Jersey, USA. He toured North American Cities promoting the cause of Konkani during his visit.

In 1997 Basti Vaman Shenoy became the President of Karnataka Konkani Saithya Academy. He served two terms as President of Academy till 2001. During his tenure as President of Academy he initiated a process of lobbying with the Government of Karnataka to introduce Konkani in the Schools of Karnataka as the optional third Language. Under his tenure Academy produced "Konkani Samanthar Shabdakosh", a series of books on stalwarts of Konkani Community "Konkani Mahamanest Pustakmala" and a volume on showcasing the rich Konkani Art form of Kavi Murals "Konkanyali Kavikala" written by Dr. Krishnanand Kamath. In 1998 Academy organised a 3 Day "Konkani Kala Utsav" in New Delhi. President Basti Vaman Shenoy led the 130 member cultural team to showcase Konkani Culture at the Capital City. He was instrumental in organising Workshop for developing teaching material in Konkani language in collaboration of Central Institute of Indian Languages in 2001 This workshop successfully brought out a Konkani Primer Book called "Konkani Kalo".

In 2002, as the Organising Committee Chairman, Basti Vaman Shenoy successfully organised the 20th Adhiveshan of All India Konkani Parishad
All India Konkani Parishad
The All India Konkani Parishad was founded in 1939 in its first Adhiveshan on 8 July 1939 at Karwar, Karnataka.Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag an advocate by profession from Karwar, who with a few like-minded companions travelled in all the Konkani speaking areas, seeking to unite the fragmented Konkani...

 in Mangalore.

In 2004 he became the President of All India Konkani Parishad
All India Konkani Parishad
The All India Konkani Parishad was founded in 1939 in its first Adhiveshan on 8 July 1939 at Karwar, Karnataka.Madhav Manjunath Shanbhag an advocate by profession from Karwar, who with a few like-minded companions travelled in all the Konkani speaking areas, seeking to unite the fragmented Konkani...

, took charge at the 26th Adhiveshan held at Kozhikode.

Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation

Konkani
Konkani language
KonkaniKonkani is a name given to a group of several cognate dialects spoken along the narrow strip of land called Konkan, on the west coast of India. This is, however, somewhat an over-generalisation. Geographically, Konkan is defined roughly as the area between the river Damanganga to the north...

: कोंकणी भास आनी संस्कृति प्रतिष्टान/ಕೊಂಕಣಿ ಭಾಸ್ ಆನಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟಾನ್

KLCF was promoted by Konkani Bhasha Mandal Karnatak to fulfil the mandate of the delegates of World Konkani Convention to establish World Konkani Centre at Mangalore. It came in to being immediately after the World Konkani Convention in 1995. Basti Vaman Shenoy became its President. Eminent Banker, Philanthropist and Social Leader K.K. Pai became Chairman of the KLCF. The Foundation stone marking the beginning of construction work was laid in a ceremony in September 2005 by Eminent Philanthropist Dr. P. Dayanand Pai. The then Union Minister Mr. Oscar Fernandes and Cooperative Minister of Government of Karnataka Shri R.V.Deshpande were present. Basti Vaman Shenoy toured relentlessly to raise funds for this mammoth project all over India and abroad. After the demise of Shri K.K.Pai, the Chairmanship of the KLCF is served by Dr. P. Dayananda Pai, eminent philanthropist.

Vishwa Konkani Abhiyan

In the auspice of KLCF, Basti Vaman Shenoy initiated a movement called Visha Konkani abhiyan aimed at creating opportunity of interaction between Konkani Writers and Scholars with their counterparts in other languages of the country. The Abhiyan was inaugurated at New Delhi on October 12, 2008 by Former Union Minister Margaret Alva. Dr. M. Veerappa Moily
Veerappa Moily
Moodbidri Veerappa Moily is the current Minister of Corporate Affairs in the Indian government. Moily was elected as MP of the Chickballapur district by a wide margin in 2009. He currently serves as the All India Congress Committee General Secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh...

  released a Book on Rashtrakavi M. Govinda Pai translated to Hindi from Konkani. Eminent Economist and Sanskrit Scholar Dr. V.R. Panchamukhi (former Chairman ICSSR) presided over the function. A seminar "Integration Through Langaugaes" was held in which scholars from Panjabi, Hindi, Persian, Urdu, Kannada and Konkani Languages participated. Similar programs were held in Baroda, Mumbai and Pune.

World Konkani Centre

Konkani
Konkani language
KonkaniKonkani is a name given to a group of several cognate dialects spoken along the narrow strip of land called Konkan, on the west coast of India. This is, however, somewhat an over-generalisation. Geographically, Konkan is defined roughly as the area between the river Damanganga to the north...

: विश्व कोंकणी केंद्र Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...

:ವಿಶ್ವ ಕೊಂಕಣಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ

World Konkani Centre, built on a 3 Acre plot called Konkani Gaon (Konkani Village) at Shakti Nagar, Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...

 was inaugurated by Shri Digambar Kamat, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa on 17 January 2009. The World Konkani Centre named after chief patrons Dr. P. Dayananda pai and P. Satish Pai consists of a Library, a Museum and convention facilities like Board Room, Seminar Hall and Auditorium. As per the KLCF the Centre is founded "to serve as a nodal agency for the preservation and overall development of Konkani language, art and culture involving all the Konkani people the world over."

On 6 March 2010, Vishwa Konkani Bhasha Samsthan (World Institute of Konkani Language) and World Konkani Hall Of Fame
World Konkani Hall Of Fame
The World Konkani Hall of Fame is a shrine to great Konkani Men and Women who have rendered commendable service aimed at the betterment of the society in various fields such as art, folklore, literature, education, science, technology, banking, politics and administration etc.The Hall of Fame is...

 were inaugurated by eminent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai
Rajdeep Sardesai
Rajdeep Sardesai is an Indian journalist, political commentator and news presenter. Sardesai is the Editor-in-Chief of IBN18 Network, that includes CNN-IBN, IBN-7 and IBN-Lokmat.- Biography :...

 at World Konkani Centre. A Konkani ethnic shoppe was inaugurated by Ramdas Kamath U. (Senior Vice President, Infosys Technologies Ltd.)on this occasion.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Vishwa Konkani Sardar Title conferred by the delegates of First World Konkani Convention 1995
  • Rajyotsava Prashasti
    Rajyotsava Prashasti
    The Annual Rajyotsava Awards are conferred by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the birth of Karnataka State on November 1 celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava. The awards celebrate achievements by persons of eminence in their chosen fields...

    by Government of Karnataka in 2010
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