Abu Dhabi: KCO elects new office-bearers - Valerian Dalmaida president

Media Release

Abu Dhabi, Dec 2: Senior KCO member Valerian Dalmaida has been elected the new president of Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO), the premier Konkani organization of Abu Dhabi, for the year 2013 – 2014. The election was held during KCO's annual general meeting recently.

Valerian Dalmaida, a fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, a certified support manager from California, USA is working as group head of support services with Al Ain Holding LLC, Abu Dhabi.

Valerian Dalmaida

Leena D'Souza and Praveen Serrao

Valerian is a popular community leader, a good organizer, speaker, and a social worker. His contribution towards Abu Dhabi’s Konkani community is immense. He has been a dedicated worker with excellent leadership qualities.

Leena D'Souza and Praveen Serrao were elected as general secretary and treasurer respectively.

Leena, an educationist, is a post graduate, working with Abu Dhabi Indian School for the past 23 years and currently a trainee at Abu Dhabi Educational Council for Special Education Needs. She is the founder member of KCO and has twice served as general secretary and twice as sports secretary in the past.

Praveen, a BCom graduate from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai and an MBA from Washington University, is working with a well-known company in Abu Dhabi as assistant finance manager. Young and enthusiastic, he has been an active member of KCO for the past several years.

Both Leena and Praveen have proven their abilities within KCO and will be supporting Valerian in strengthening KCO and its activities.

The other office-bearers are:

Vice-president - Inez D'Cunha
Assistant secretary - Claudia Lobo
Entertainment secretary - Benette D'Mello
Sports secretary - Vivek Serrao
Public relations media coordinator - Canute Pinto
Honorary auditor - Franklin D Cunha
Advisors - Leo Rodrigues, Dolphy Vas and Micheal D'Silva

KCO has been growing in popularity year after year and has become a household name both in the UAE as well as in India for its benevolent work in helping the needy and deserving students. KCO has initiated several scholarships for needy students through Samanvaya of Mangalore and has donated several lacs through its charitable work in the past. It is involved in various social, cultural and religious activities in Abu Dhabi.

KCO recently distributed scholarships worth Rs 12 lac for 171 deserving students. KCO has managed to garner funds through its entertainment events with the help of its benefactors and sponsors to meet its social and community commitments.

Outgoing president Bennette D'Mello thanked the members of KCO for their unstinting support and urged them to continue the same tempo towards the new office-bearers and their associates.

KCO is known for its excellent organizational capabilities and has veterans in this field and committed members who have the experience and caliber to showcase any event, both religious and cultural. The unity and hard work of KCO members is worthy of praise.