The special issue-‘KONNSAM’ (in Roman-Konkani) published by Sandcos Publication on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Snow was released at the hands of local MLA Mr Alex Reginaldo Lourenco, in presence of the Parish Priest, Fr Cipriano Da Silva, at Raia.

Mr Lourenco congratulated the editor of the special issue and a renowned Konkani writer, Mr Marcus Gonsalves for bringing out this special issue on the Patroness feast of Raia Church and help promote the local language. `` It is a good step and we appreciate the efforts of Mr Gonsalves for highlighting the village feast related articles on the issue,’’ Mr Lourenco said. He also said that such issue gives valuable information about the feast and the village to all the devotees throng at the church from far and wide.

The Parish priest, Fr Cipriano Da Silva said that August is the month full of celebrations and the villagers of Raia too gearing up for it’s Patroness feast and the Konnsache fest . "I congratulate the writers and the editor, for giving the information about the Raia Patroness feast" the Parish priest said. He also urged the villagers to keep the village clean and green for the health environment.

Mr Gonsalves explained that the issue also included stories stressing on the old links of the two villages - Raia and Shiroda vis-a vis the Feast and its worth reading. He informed that the issue will be available on the Feast day – August 5.

Mr Vincy Quadros, the vice president of the Goa Konkani Academy compared the function. Mrs Sandra Gonsalves, the publisher o f the special issue was also present on the occasion. Several Konkani writers were also present on the occasion.