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Mangaluru, Jan 28, 2025 : Konkani Lekhak Sangh Karnataka – A voluntary association exclusively formed with the sole intention of promoting Konkani language and literature in the year 2018. From the year 2022, Konkani Lekhak Sangh decided to select and honour a Konkani writer who has immensely contributed to Konkani literature.

For the year 2025, Konkani Lekhak Sangh award committee has selected a well known Konkani writer Mrs Alice Fernandes (Shalini Valencia).

The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 25000/-, a citation and a Memento.

Alice Fernandes (Shalini Valencia)

In 1965, at the age of 16, Alice Fernandes took up writing. From 1965 to 1971 continued writing in various Konkani magazines like Mithr, Jhello, Raknno, Kannik, Vavradyancho Talo etc. After a 30-year break from literary service, she took up the pen again after 2002 and has been writing for Konkani newspapers Jhello, Divo, Kutmacho Sevak, Raknno, Dirvem, Naman Balok Jeju, Milarchem Milan for 22 consecutive years. In her nearly 28 years of literary career, 34 poems, 30 short stories, 200 articles have appeared in various Konkani newspapers. Held responsibility as Vice-President of Konkani Writers' forum “Konkani Lekhakancho Ekvott ” for three years.

She has received honors from “Konkni Lekhakancho Ekvott”, Raknno and Dirvem magazines and won the consolation Prize for Short Story in Raknno Literary Competition.

The award will be conferred at a function on February 15,2025 at 6.30 p.m., at Sandesha Premises, Sandesha Foundation, Bajjodi,  Mangaluru.

The details were revealed in a Press Meet held at Press club, Mangaluru on January 28, 2025.

Members Present at the Press Meet:
Richard Moras - Convener; Dolphy F. Lobo - Committee member; Dr Jerry Niddodi - Advisory Committee member; J.F. DSouza - Advisory committee member

Profile of Konkani Writer Shalini Valencia

Name: Alice Fernandes
Born: 14th October 1948
Education: B.Sc
Pen Name: Shalini Valencia and Asha, Milar

Literary Service:

• In 1965, at the age of 16, she penned a question for the July issue of the monthly “Mitr” with a Letter to The Editor.
• In 1965, the first poem was published in the September issue of "Mitr" monthly
• In 1966, the first short story was published in the May issue of "Jhello" monthly
• From 1965 to 1971 continued writing in various Konkani magazines like Mitr, Jhello, Rakno, Kannik, Vavradyancho Talo etc.
• In 1970 “To Taka Ashelo” and in 1971 “Tum Sukhi Ja” two novels were translated to  Konkani  from English and published by 'Salak' publication.
• One story  each of her has been published in the story collections "Phulam Ani Pakloyo", "Gulob Ani Salkam", "Lharam Ani Taram" edited and published by Salak Prakashan.
• After a 30-year break from literary service, she took up the pen again after 2002 and has been writing for Konkani newspapers Jhello, Divo, Kutmacho Sevak, Raknno, Dirvem, Naman Balok Jeju, Milarchem Milan for 22 consecutive years.
• In her nearly 28 years of literary career, 34 poems, 30 short stories, 200 articles have appeared in various Konkani newspapers.
• Continually contributed articles to the Ladies section of Raknno Weekly in 2014-15.
• With the Pen Name Asha Milar her articles are been published in Darvem magazine from 2006 till now.
• Under the pen name Asha Milar,she has been translating and writing stories from other languages with the title "Internet Kanyo".
• Three of her articles have been broadcasted by Mangalore Akashvani with self-recitation.
• For a period of 8 years, She has served as a member of the editorial board of the church bulletin "Milarchem Milan".
• Held responsibility as Vice-President of Konkani Writers' Association “Konkani Lekhakancho Ekvott ” for three years.

Awards:
Awards received by Shalini Valencia are:

• Honored on the occasion of its 10th anniversary of “Konkni Lekhakancho Ekvott”.
• Honored with other authors by Raknno magazine
• Honored on the occasion of Dirvem magazine completing its five years
• Won the consolation Prize for Short Story in Rakno Literary Competition.

Shalini Valencia as a writer is very proud of the fact that in the last 28 years of her literary journey, no editor of any newspaper has rejected any of her writings.