AMKA: American Midwest Konkani Association, based in Chicago-land, USA Inviting AMKA25 SOUVENIR Magazine Submissions… Amka-ites of all ages, fire up your laptops, sharpen your pencils, dust off your photo-albums! Here’s your chance to participate in a keepsake AMKA25 souvenir magazine that’s being published to celebrate and commemorate AMKA’S 25th anniversary in Nov, 2010. There’s something [...]
Filed under: Events, Kids, Konkani, Poetry | Tagged: Chicago | Leave a Comment »
In 2007, the Shanbhag School in Kumta (and their parent, the Konkan Education Trust), started to provide lunch for all their students. In the midst of a long day, the students had previously rushed home during their lunch hour. There are no cafeterias or restaurants near the school. The school made a significant investment in [...]
Filed under: Food, Karnataka, Kids, Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | Tagged: lunch, meals, school lunch, students | Leave a Comment »
I have previously written about the Shanbhag School, an academic beacon in Kumta and surrounding villages. The Shanbhag High School, managed by the Konkan Education Trust does not receive any governmental aid. But it follows the state determined academic syllabus and guidelines. While we attract many students who can afford fees, our family wanted to [...]
Filed under: India, Karnataka, Kids, Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | Tagged: Rural India, Scholarships | Leave a Comment »
When I asked folks at the Shanbhag School the best way to travel to Kodkani (about 15 kms from Kumta) to see Shilpa’s parents, they recommended that I ride the School bus. On Saturdays, school ends at noon and the bus drops off students in Kodkani. Riding the bus would thus bring me in Kodkani [...]
Filed under: Kids, Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | 17 Comments »
Meet Vibha, darling daughter of our good friends Vandana and Aravind. I shot this pic during a gathering at our friend's place on August 15th. All kids had dressed in traditional garb to celebrate India's Independence Day. Along with her mother and brother they are currently back in Bangalore and Mangalore visiting family. If any [...]
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Outside my cousin-brother's house in Kumta, these kids were walking back from school. They seemed eager to pose. After shooting this pic, I offered them one of the Britannia cream biscuit packs I always carry in my bag. They grabbed and ran – jumping in joy!
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My cousin brother is a bhat-maam (priest) in the small konkan town of Honavar, 15 miles south of Kumta. His parents had insisted he get a college degree – so after his BA in Economics he still decided to follow their priestly traditions. They live in spartan accommodations beside the temple. I have fond memories [...]
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A good part of traveling in India is, you get to meet many locals. The ones you would not meet in hotel lobbies, or in coffee shops. Hard working laborers with a few days off to visit temples. Their kids care less for the soulful art, and are scrambling around and pulling pranks on each [...]
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On Friday, our friend Sandhya delivered a baby girl. Gopal and Sandhya are thrilled, and so is their three year old daughter Meghana. She goes by Gundi. BTW, Gundi is quite a character. She is very mature, caring and needs constant attention. She chats incessantly in Kochi Konkani. Like most kids her age, she cannot [...]
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