After working tirelessly on the world’s biggest Konkani Biblical Concordance, titled Povitr Pustokantlem Bhanddar for 8 long years and 4 months, Raia-based Ives Tavares has now decided to get his 23,640-page printed book published in 256 volumes so that it is easily accessible to readers.
The Roman Konkani biblical concordance (second edition) incorporates 23,640 pages, 36,98,550 words with an estimated 2,03,71,309 characters and is 5.5 feet in height and weighs around 180 kg.
Surprisingly, it has broken six records, which includes India’s world record (longest record), World Records India (world’s biggest book), India’s Book of Records (thickest book), Asia Book of Records (thickest book), Champions Book of World Record (longest book) and Universal Record Forum.
BEHIND THE BOOK
Dwelling upon the book. “The objective of this book is to create or contribute an index to the Roman Konkani biblical scripture,” informed Tavares. “This allows any reader to trace words where they appear in the Holy Bible,” he explained, “and the specialty of the book is that it also includes miscellaneous photographs on historical sites and events.”
The mission of writing the biblical concordance commenced in 2011 in order to create 23,640 pages of Roman Konkani. Povitr Pustokantlem Bhanddar was released on February 28, 2021 at the hands of Fr Eustaquio Abreu. Present on the occasion were Luizinho Faleiro, Fr Lucio Dias, Fr Avinash Rebello and Seola Vaz.
The first edition of Povitr Pustokantlem Bhanddar was released on December 18, 2011. “And the upcoming third edition which is in progress carries 51, 338 pages, with 37,13,635 words and 2,05,57,549 characters,” Tavares concealed.
“The concordance can be the most useful aid when studying scriptures,” stated the author, “countering theological papers and Biblical themes. It is like approaching social media and it will directly take you to a particular page or phrase you wish to know,” he shared.
As the concordance carries 23,640 pages and 36,98,550 words with an estimated 2,03,71,309 characters which will definitely not be accessible to readers, Tavares plans to publish it in around 256 volumes, which will be easily available to all those willing to go through it.
The first volume comprising 200 pages was released at SVD Raia Hall on July 24, 2022 at the hands of Goa’s renowned cardiologist, Dr Francisco Colaco. He applauded the author of the book and said the same task should have been taken up way back by the bishop or the priests.
“Though the state and central government has not taken cognizance of the sacrificial work carried out by Tavares single-handedly, we as individuals, can easily extend our support to the writer by purchasing copies of the volume and spreading it across among our relatives and friends,” stated Alexandre Moniz Barboza, former editor of Herald, who was the guest of honour for the occasion.
The biblical concordance was first invented by the Friars of the Dominican order, with its existence in 1230. It was guided by Cardinal Hugo de Saint-Cher and assisted by the Dominicans.
The first printed concordance was prepared in 1470 at Strasburg, France. The earliest concordances in English came into publication in the middle of the sixteenth century.
To make his future dreams come true, Tavares from Ilha de Rachol, requires financial support from like-minded people. And, if he gets through, then his task will be made very easy.