Photos: Almeida Photography
Ground report: H R Alva
Bengaluru, May 29: “In olden days people of the town or villages used to come together to felicitate and honour the achievers among themselves. But nowadays some associations do that task. Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), Bangalore has done a good job by honouring the diamonds of the society. Nowadays values are diminishing everywhere. This is because people have no satisfaction with what they have and they want to acquire more wealth. When people have the feeling of “Satisfaction” (Trupthi) and they are away from “Greed” (Durase) society becomes clean,” said Justice Nitte Santosh Hegde, retired judge of the Supreme Court, retired Lokayukta of Karnataka.
Justice Hegde was speaking as the chief guest of 26th Annual Day of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), Bengaluru held on May 26 at Anantya, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru. Justice Hegde continued, “Throughout my career and in the retired life I have visited over 1800 schools and spoke to good number of student community with in order to inspire them to embrace good virtues. At the same time, I have seen enormous corruption in the society. If we parents be the models to our children with good values, tomorrow our society would be a better one."
"Today I am highly satisfied to honour Margaret Alva, the recipient of 'FKCA Life time Achievement Award', the person who worked under four prime ministers, was the governor of four States and a down to earth personality. My late father (Justice K S Hegde) had known to Parliamentarian couple Alvas (Joachim and Violet) and I have maintained this intimacy with Margaret Alva," Justice Hegde expressed.
The other honoured persons - "Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee” - Rohan Monteiro, “Professional Excellence Awardee” - Faye D’Souza and “Special Community Serivce Recognition” Awardee - Dr. Anthony S. Lucas also have done tremendous achievements in their respective fields. I congratulate all the 4 achievers” he said.
Justice Hegde further continued – “FKCA formed by the people of Konkani speaking Catholics coming from Coastal Karnataka especially from Mangalore region and elsewhere, have united to the betterment of themselves in particular and to the society and their language in general. The magnitude of today’s programme shows that they are doing a good job for themselves, to the community (Mangalorean Konkani Catholics) and to their language (Konkani). I congratulate the Chairman and all members for the achievements and wish them well in the future”.
Fr Faustine Lobo, designate director of Father Muller’s Charitable Institutions, Kankanady, Mangaluru and administrator of Fr Muller Homoepathy Medical College & Hospital presided over the function. J R Lobo, former MLA, Mangaluru South constituency was the guest of honour. Justice John Michael D’Cunha, retired judge of the High Court of Karnataka was present in the function. All the dignitaries along with the office bearers of FKCA lit the traditional lamp.
Conferring of awards
"Entrepreneur of the Year award” was awarded to Rohan Monteiro who is the Chairman and Managing Director of Rohan Corporation India Pvt. Ltd., the Renowned Builder and Real Estate Entrepreneur and Director of Daijiworld Media Pvt. Ltd. and a kind hearted Donor.
“Professional Excellence Award” was awarded to Faye D’Souza, who has worked as a prominent journalist in the reputed TV media houses and presently running the popular Beatroot News App.
“Special Community Service Recognition” was awarded to Dr. Anthony S. Lucas, Co-founder & Head Coach at BGF Sports Club and currently the chairman of Bangalore District Football Association.
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Awardees were felicitated by placing traditional Mysore peta on the heads of the awardees by chief guest Justice N Santosh Hegde, draping a shawl by the President of the function Fr Faustine Lobo, memento by Guest of honour J R Lobo, and citation by immediate past chairman Silvian Noronha and chairman Robert Cutinha, flower plant by Secretary Leena Lobo.
The awardees spoke on the occasion. Guest of honour J R Lobo lauded the achievements FKCA and the Awardees. He specially mentioned that a few centuries ago there were over 23,000 languages all over world. Among them now only 6,500 to 7000 languages are in existence. Konkani language is also facing difficult times. In this situation, it is the duty of every Konkani person to work for our language.
Life Time Achievement Award Conferred:
The highlight of the day was honouring FKCA Life Time Achievement awardee Margaret Alva, the tall personality in the political arena, who had worked in the Cabinets of 4 Prime Ministers – namely Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh handling different portpolios. She was the member of Rajya Sabha for four terms (total 24 years) where her mother-in-law Violet Alva had served as the vice - chairperson. In the 1999 election Alva won from Canara (Karwar) Lok Sabha Constituency and completed a term, from where her father-in-law Joachim Alva was elected for 3 continuous terms – 1952,1957 and 1962 (Because of this she is called “Canaraachi Sun” (Daughter in law of Canara). She also worked for the Indian National Congress Party at the national level for several years.
Margaret Alva was the Constitutional Head of States as Governor for Uttarakhand, Rajashthan, Goa and Gujarath. She is the recipient of First Nelson Mandela International Award, Rajiv Gandhi National Excellence Award, Global Leadership Award and the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award besides many others.
In 2022 Margaret Alva was the candidate for the post of Vice-President of India from the combined opposition parties. None has been elevated to the position of Governor of a state in India from the Mangalorean Konkani Catholic Community so far and she is the first candidate from the community in the Vice-Presidential race.
Margaret Alva firmly stood with her community in times of need. She is a staunch Konkani personality and has participated in many Konkani events including the First Vishwa Konakani Sammelan, Porob, Saanth and other programs organised by Mandd Sobhan, Mangalore. She was instrumental in bringing the then Hon.President Pratibha Patil to Mangalore for a Konkani event - Silver Jubilee of Mandd Sobhann.
The Awardee was felicitated by placing traditional Mysore peta on the head by Justice N Santosh Hegde, draping a shawl by Fr Faustine Lobo, memento by J R Lobo and citation by Silvian Noronha and Robert Cutinha, and flower plant by Leena Lobo.
In her acceptance speech Alva said that as per old saying Prophet has no recognition among his/her own people. But FKCA has stood apart from this saying by honouring her and other awardees. She acknowledged the people behind her success including her parents Pascal and Elizabeth Nazareth, her husband Niranjan Alva, In-laws Joachim and Violet Alva and many others.
Alva said that people should not forget their roots and their mother tongue after climbing a certain height. She expressed concern that present generation is away from sweet language Konkani. She said that whenever she meets Konkani people she likes to speak to them in Konkani. She lauded the efforts of Kalangann, Mangalore in the revival and maintaining the language and culture.
For the benefit of the community, Alva had given a few suggestions including the setting up of a marriage bureau for the benefit of marriageable boys and girls of Mangalorean Konkani Catholics, which she said is the need of the hour. According to her setting up online Konkani study courses for the benefit of younger generation of the Konkani Community worldwide is also essential.
(This writer had met Margaret Alva in her New Delhi residence in 1985 when she was the Youth and Sports Minister and published her interview in ‘Raknno’, Mangalore Diocesan Weekly in the issue dtd. 2nd Jan 1986. He had observed the Konkani atmosphere at her place. Thereafter he has met her several times including FKCA programme of May 26th, and witnessed her enthusiasm towards Konkani).
Honour to Concepta Fernandes:
FKCA felicitated Concepta Fernandes, who has been recently promoted as the Assistant Director of Aakashvani (All india Radio) Bangalore who is also the Programme Head of Vividh Bharathi, Karnataka. Concepta’s achievements in the broadcasting field are laudable as she has bagged prestigious awards both at the National and State level for her programmes. Besides she is a versatile compere in various languages and she compered at many programmes including National and International Events (Naming a few - First Vishwa Konakani Sammelan, Porob, Santh, Akashvani and Doordarshan Events, Prasar Bharati programme at MAHE University, Manipal etc). Having 4 Masters Degrees (in Economics, English Literature, Mass Communication and Journalism and Konkani Literature) to her credit, her multi lingual writing and oratory skills are praiseworthy.
President of the programme Fr. Faustine Lobo and other office-bearers honoured Concepta with a shawl, memento and a flower plant. Fr. Faustine in his presidential address urged the need for inclusiveness of the Konakani Catholic Community in the mainstream society.
Routine and Special Items:
The Awards Ceremony began with a prayer dance by the members of Konkani Samudai, Jayanagar. FKCA Chairman Robert Cutinha welcomed the gathering. He said that there are 24 Mangalorean Konkani Catholic Organisations of Bangalore and 10 outside Bangalore including Mysore and abroad.
He further stated that there is a Noble Cause behind the Federation Day this year and the proceeds of this event will go to raise a Fund for Cancer Charity.
General Secretary Leena Lobo presented the Annual report
Prize winning dance teams of FKCA Fusion Fiesta Dance Competition held during the day performed during the Award program to the huge applause of the crowd. First Prize, Rs.50,000/- Winning team: Karthis Performing Arts, Mangalore and Runners up, Rs.25,000/- Winning team – Urban Dance Groove, Mangalore.
Past Chairmen Charles Gomes, Dr. Edward Anand D’Souza, Edward Victor D’Souza and others presented Flower plants to the Guests.Past Chairmen & Important guests, Media Friends, Political Leaders, Donors, CE and others were recognized with a memento.Vincent DSouza proposed Vote of thanks. Concepta Fernandes and Royston Pinto ably compered the Award Ceremony.
Special programmes and behind the scene
FKCA conducted various programmes on the occasion of the 26th Federation Day from Morning itself. Activities included Retro Revival (Vintage Vehicles Mela), Udyog Mela, CEO Connect with lunch, Cultural and other activities, Food Fiesta and other activities were held throughout the day. Performance of Brass Band team from Mangalore was the added attraction.
FKCA Office – bearers, Chairman - Robert Cutinha, Immediate Past Chairman – Silvian Noronha, Vice Chairmen – Antony Gonsalves and Nigel Fernandes, General Secretary – Leena Lobo, Treasurer – Richard Misquith, Joint Secretaries – Vincent D’Souza and Tony Pinto, Cultural Secretary - Sharon Rego, Legal Advisor – Dr. Edward Anand D’Souza, Spiritual Director – Rev. Fr. Francis Assisi Almeida, Executive members, Sub-Committee Chairmen and Members toiled hard for the success of the event.
Serene atmosphere of the Palace Grounds, ample parking space and other facilities added more comfort to the memorable and to be cherished FKCA 26th Annual Day.