Federation Day 2009

Bangalore, Feb 1: A mammoth gathering with important dignitaries on the dais and an impressive setting marked the Federation of Konkani Catholic Association of Karnataka - FKCA's annual get-together "Federation Day" on Sunday, 1st February 2009. The event took place at St. Joseph's Indian High School grounds, Bangalore. At 4:00 pm was the concelebrated Holy Mass in Konkani with Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, Provincial of the Carmelite Fathers as the main Celebrant. In his homily, Fr. Gonsalves called for unity among the member associations and urged the members to be flag bearers of the Konkani Culture and values wherever they went.

Chairman of the Federation, Charles Gomes welcomed the gathering. General Secretary, Anil Rego in his report, briefed the gathering about the activities of the Federation.Speaking on the occasion, the Guest of Honor, Mr. Ronald Colaco, noted Philanthropist and Chairman, Federation of Karnataka Christians' Associations said that Unity at the grass root levels would help build better communities, a better State and a greater Nation. He recalled the great contribution made by Christians to the nation especially in the field of health care and education. Referring to the allegations made to Christians about 'forcible conversions', he cited his personal initiative in funding the building of about 20 Hindu temples. He emphasized that the Christian population would not remain at 2.5% today if conversions were taking place as alleged. He strongly urged the Home Minister Dr. V. S. Acharya to initiate the release of victims unjustly held in jail during the September Mangalore communal attacks.

Dr. V. S. Acharya, Home Minister who hails from the coastal district of Udupi started his speech in Konkani. He recalled his long and close association from his student days with the Konkani community. While wishing the community well, He praised the great contribution of Mangalorean Catholics and their Hard Working nature. He recalled the dedicated services of former minister Mr. Blasius D'souza. He stressed that however small a community or a religious minority is, it is the duty of the Government to protect them and that he would take every step to achieve this. He stressed that Unity in Diversity is the motto of the Government. He acknowledged Mr. Ronald Colaco's request for release of victims unjustly held in Mangalore and said that he would find a solution to this problem at the earliest.

Dr. B.S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, who reached the venue late because of the programme with the President of India in Bangalore. He also stressed on the theme of Unity in Diversity. He said that he strongly believed in the words of Jesus Christ : Love your neighbor as yourself. He called for forgetting old issues and said that his Government was bent on protecting all. He responded to the request of the Federation for land of its own for building its office, a suitable hall for community activities and a reference library and said that he would immediately initiate the formalities for sanction of one acre land.

His Grace Most Rev. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore and President of the function thanked the Chief Minister and the Home Minister for their assurances. He requested Christians be allowed to witness their faith without any fear as provided in the constitution. His Grace referred to the Justice Somasekhar commission Enquiry into the recent communal violence and hoped that truth would prevail. Referring to the subsidy available to Christians in Andhra Pradesh, who wish to visit the Holy Land, His Grace requested the Chief Minister to consider the same in Karnataka as well.

Three eminent Konkani Catholics, who have made a mark in the social, business and public life, were felicitated with the prestigious FKCA Awards. The three awardees are: Mr. Clarence Pais, Legal Luminary, who was conferred the LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, Mr. Felix Lobo, Managing Director of Qatar Meta Coats as the ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD, and Mr. Joseph Wilson Lobo, Director ICCR, Bangalore, a cultural wing of the Ministry of External Affairs for the PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD.

Clarence Pais, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the rare catholic who did not passively submit to the injustice done to Indian Christians. When he noted that the Indian Succession Act insisted on probate for Christians to inherit property but not for Hindus, Muslims and others, he began a legal battle to get the Act amended. Unfortunately the Supreme Court dismissed his plaint twice. Finally through the help of his friend George Fernandes, he got the Act amended and Christians do not have a burden of fee to be paid to inherit from a will. He was given the papal honor of Chevalier of the order of St Gregory. Apart from this, he has helped the Missionaries of Charity to start two houses in Mangalore with the help of members and President of Catholic Association. He raised funds for over a crore rupees to fund these houses. He has won National Awards for excellence in cardamom cultivation.

Felix Lobo was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He started his career with the UN but he later shifted to International Civil Aviation at Qatar. In 1994, he left his job and founded a Catering Business 'Golden Arrow'. He also started a recruitment agency which did very well. He then started the 'Qatar Meta Coats' in 2001. His company became the first one in Qatar to introduce the most modernized and sophisticated systems for installation of Aluminum doors, windows called 'Alu K System' from Italy. From then on, there was no looking back. His company handled various projects like College of Technology building, 'Khalifa Stadium and Sports Hall', Qatar Medical City etc. He has four workshops and an office. 250 people are employed in his organization. His company has three division Aluminum, Steel Structure, and Powder Coating. Lobo is not only an outstanding businessman or entrepreneur but has involved himself in community work. He has helped many people, especially among the poor to get jobs in the gulf. His very special contribution is his effort to bring together the Konkani community at Qatar. With this in mind he helped in starting organizations such as the Konkani Culture Association and Mangalore cricket Club (MCC). He has also involved himself in community activity and as such served as a role model as he combines business success with true concern for the betterment of other human beings.

Joseph Lobo was awarded the Professional Excellence Award. He had a brilliant academic career right from St. Aloysius College and Roshini Nilaya, Mangalore. He has an Honorary Doctorate from Uzbekistan World Languages University. Lobo is an example of outstanding professional excellence. Lobo joined the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an apex cultural wing of the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, in 1979 and served as Regional Director, ICCR, Bangalore. He was then Programme Director of ICCR, New Delhi and Senior Regional Director in Mumbai. He has served with distinction as Director for Indian Culture and First Secretary at Port Louis, Mauritius and Director of Indian Cultural Centre and Counselor in Tashkent (Uzbekistan). He was also a coordinator for the highly impacting Festival of India at Germany. He is presently Director of ICCR, Bangalore. He is a creative writer in Konkani and English. He has written a book on public speaking in Konkani, "Utteem Bhashangaar. He edited the 'Yuvak' Konkani Monthly. He started the Friday cultural evening programme at Yavankia in Bangalore, a programme so successful that it has continued since the last 26 years. He founded the Federation of International Student Associations. Bangalore (FISA – B) and the Hospitality Organization for Overseas Students, Bangalore (HOFOS) and other welfare activities for foreign students.

Mrs. Ida Sequeira proposed the Vote of Thanks. Smt. Albeena Vaz compered the programme in a highly professional way with extremely apt and meaningful introductions and references to each aspect of the function.

After the main function there was a cultural programme presented by the member associations and coordinated by Mrs. Aida D'souza.

Prominent among the many important guests present on the occasion were Justice Michael Saldanha, former Judge of the Karnataka High Court, Mr. F.T.R. Colaco, former DGP of Karnataka, Rev. Fr. Walter D'mello, Parish Priest of Milagres Church. Mr. Ivan Fernandes, Founder and former President of Kanara Entrepreneurs Ltd., Dubai and Managing Director of Ducont FZ LLc, Dubai, Maxim D'mello, President of Mangalorean Association of Canada, Mr. Ramanath Bhat, President of Tuluvenrenklu, Mr. Noel Noronha, President of Basel Mission. Mr. Lesli Rego and Mr. Claud D'souza of United Youngsters Mangalore Mr. Felix D'souza from Mumbai and Mr. Mariswamy, State Convener of Federation of Dalits' Associations.

The Federation was started way back in 1998 for espousing the cause of Konkani Catholics in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka. But over the years, the Federation has grown in size and stature and expanded its reach, role and activities to fight for the interests of other linguistic and religious minorities as well. This is surely no mean achievement for a small linguistic and religious minority community like Konkani Catholics.

Today, it comprises of as many as 18 Konkani Catholic Associations in different parts of Bangalore besides Mysore. More importantly, two Associations of Konkani Catholics in the Dubai and UK have affiliated. Many more Associations in other districts of Karnataka and even abroad like USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and Middle-East countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman etc have evinced interest in associating with Federation’s activities and are in the process of getting affiliated.

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Reader Comments:

Lawrence Saldanha, Bangalore Feb 3 2009 16:38:23
Well organized & professionally managed function. Hats off to Mr. Charles Gomes, Chairman and all Office Bearers and Organizing committee. The Govt. has realized that Mangalorean Christian Konkani people are really a part of Karnataka and therefore promised 1 acre land for the Federations Office and Community work. Choir for the mass was nicely arranged and the cultural programme was also meaningful. All the best for the future undertakings of the Federation.

Fr. Richie Quadros SVD, Calcutta Feb 18 2009 07:23:40
Dear Mr. Charles Gomes my hats off to all your co-workers for a successful show. Though I am late in browsing the site, I really felt as if I am celebrating the event. I am sure so many heads must have worked together to show a positive leverage on the government to deal with the Catholic community with care and concern. Because Catholic community has contributed a lot to the growth of Karnataka in specific and to India in general in terms of education, social service, empowerment etc. Best of luck. I assure you my prayers for you all.