Konkani Catholic weekly completes 75 years

December 20, 2012: The only Catholic weekly in Konkani language, managed by the South Indian diocese of Mangalore, would complete 75 years of its publication later this week. The platinum jubilee celebrations of Raknno, weekly would be held on Dec. 22.

The Raknno Platinum Jubilee Committee would be organizing a number of programs, including training to writers, special literary competitions and exhibition of books and magazines during the jubilee year, which was inaugurated by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore.

The weekly was founded in 1938 by Msgr. Sylvester Menezes with the motto ‘Speak the Truth, Lead the Religion’. “Though being in Konkani language, it has strived to keep its readers abreast with the times,” said Fr. Francis Rodrigues, its editor, in a press release.

The last three decades have been especially significant for Raknno. By publishing a variety of articles, news-features, news-analysis and media criticism, it has gained the loyalty of the people, he said. The priest said that the weekly has grown to become the mouth piece of the Konkani people representing their thoughts, feelings, hopes and aspirations. Today, it is the largest circulated Konkani weekly throughout India, Gulf and European Countries, he said. “Raknno has broken all barriers of caste, creed and community by its approach through modern responsible journalism,” he added.

The weekly provides a wide range of articles such as agricultural, scientific, medical, legal, economical, political, religious, cultural, educational and social. It also offers and career guidance to students. Fr. Rodrigues said that Raknno today enjoys three distinct dimensions, that of an institution, a weekly newspaper and a Publication.

As a publishing house, Raknno has been publishing both fiction and non-fiction books (titles). Having 110 titles and one CD to its credit till date, it has published the largest number of Konkani books in Kannada script, the press release stated.

It said that Raknno became the first institution to systematically take up the challenge of training young budding writers. It annually helps postgraduate journalism students through scholarships and also aids socio-religious and literary causes. ‘Kajulo’, published by Raknno, is the only Konkani magazine meant exclusively for children. It was established in 1998 as memorial of 60 years of growth of Raknno.