religion and class and is affectionately termed Konkani Mai (Mother Konkani). Due to negative propaganda from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Marathi was made the official language of Goa following the Annexation of Goa in 1961. Konkani received official recognition only in February 1987, when the Indian government recognised Konkani as the official language of Goa. Notable people Oscar Fernandes - Indian politician Dayananda Pai - Indian billionaire real estate developer, philanthropist and educationist Padmini Kohlapure - Actress Amrita Rao - Actress Ileana D'Cruz - Actress Jayshree Gadkar - Actress K.V. Kamath - Chief of the New Development Bank of BRICS countries Ravindra Kelekar - Freedom fighter, author Prakash Padukone - Ace Badminton Player; World rank#1 in 1980 Isha Koppikar - Actress Terence Lewis - Choreographer Sudesh Lotlikar - Poet and producer/director Narayana Purushothama Mallaya - Author Anant Nag - Actor Shankar Nag - Actor Jagannath Shankarseth - Philanthropist and educationalist Pundalik Naik - Poet, writer, novelist Nakul - Actor Ajit Pai - Chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission Anant Pai - Educationalist and pioneer of Indian comics TMA Pai - Well known for building university town of Manipal Ramesh Pai - Banker & educationalist Mohandas Pai - Padma shri recipient Radhika Pandit - Actress Hortencio Pereira - Theatre Artist, Writer, Director, Singer & Lyricist Suresh Prabhu - Former cabinet minister in Modi's first ministry Dilip Sardesai - Former Indian cricketer Varsha Usgaonkar - Actress Manohar Parrikar - Former Defense Minister of India & Former Chief Minister of Goa Sachin Pilgaonkar - Actor Balshastri Jambhekar - Journalist Vithal V. Kamat - Hotel industry businessman Deepika Padukone - Actress Kishori Amonkar - Indian Classical vocalist Bhumi Pednekar - Actress Lata Mangeshkar - Singer Asha Bhosle - Singer Aadesh Bandekar - Actor and TV Host T.V.R. Shenoy - Journalist, won the Padma Bushan in 2003 Vishnu Wagh - Poet, playwright, politician See also Karnataka ethnic groups Udupi Malvani Konkani Notes and references Bibliography Hindu Temples and deities by Rui Pereira Gomes Bharatiya Samaj Vighatak Jati Varna Vyavastha by P.P. Shirodkar, published by Kalika Prakashan Vishwast Mandal Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu: district gazetteer by Vithal Trimbak Gune, Goa, Daman and Diu (India). Gazetteer Dept, Published by Gazetteer Dept., Govt. of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu, 1979 The Village Communities. A Historical and legal Perspective – Souza de, Carmo. In: Borges, Charles J. 2000: 112