Daijiworld News Network - UK
Nottingham (UK): Mangaloreans are united and this innate drive to meet and share concerns and fellowship is a common feature found world-wide.
The Mangalorean United Konkani Association (MUKA), an association of Mangalorean Catholics comprising of about 40 families in an around Nottingham (UK) is a new entrant to the ever-growing Mangalorean collectives.
Left to Right – Jeevan Menezes(Communication Secretary), Deepak Alvares (Treasurer), Shalini Pinto(Secretary), Sunita Rodrigues (Vice – President ),
Vincent Dsouza (President), John Peter Fernandes(Cultural Secretary)
Ever since the number of Mangaloreans in Nottingham grew it was their long cherished aspiration of having an association of their own so that a rich cultural bonding is developed and unity among Mangaloreans in Nottingham is established. Taking the Kannada meaning of MUKA (Face) the association intents to represent the radiant face of Mangalorean families in Nottingham and keep the Mangalorean culture alive.
It was during the Lent season in 2006, when Fr Alexander Lewis from Kadaba Parish Mangalore who was on a visit to Nottingham obliged to conduct the Way of the Cross. Seeing the participation and enthusiasm of the Konkani Catholics he encouraged them to form an association of their own which eventually led to the formation of MUKA.
MUKA was formally blessed and inaugurate by Fr Alexander Lewis on Easter Day April Apr 2006. A general assembly of all Mangalorean families in Nottingham on July 16 approved the objectives of the association and unanimously voted for the formation of the association.
Headed by its president Vincent D'Souza, MUKA, though in its infant stage is confident taking it to greater heights going by the whole-hearted support and efforts of the office bearers which include Sunita Rodrigues (vice-president), Shalini Pinto (Secretary), Deepak Alvares (Treasurer) John Peter Fernandes (Cultural Secretary), Jeevan Menezes (Communication Secretary). The committee members Praveen D'Souza, Cony Aranha, Stany Sequeira, Julian Noronha, Sidney Pereira, Dorothy Prakash.
Successfully, MUKA has conducted several social and cultural functions. Easter Day was celebrated by the association with "Easter Ekvot" in Nottingham. The day-long event began with a Holy mass in Konkani, followed by cultural programmes and dinner. The maiden event was a spectacular success which had a participation of over 100 individuals. A summer day out was also organized for families and children of the association.
On the social front MUKA organised a fund-riser to help one of the fellow member who was in deep financial difficulty after undergoing a major surgery and was bed-ridden for over a year. One of the prominent support programmes was KCA Manchester. Both the associations jointly celebrate the Montifest. A Team of members from MUKA travelled to Manchester and took part in the celebration.
The recent programme of is the day-long retreat conducted by Fr Abraham D'Souza of Divine Call Centre Mulki.
In a short span this association has proved that there is strength in unity. Further the enthusiasm in which the members join hands towards common concerns is laudable.
MUKA plans to maintain a sense of oneness and unity amongst the Mangalorean families and thus plans to include X'mas Celebrations, conducting Way of the Cross during Lent, Easter Celebration, frequent get-togethers for children and annual family day celebration.