from Charles Gomes, Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 23: The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations of Karnataka, Bangalore will be celebrating its annual get-together "Federation Day " on Sunday, January, 28, 2007, on St Joseph 's Indian High School grounds, Bangalore (opp. Kantheerava Stadium).
The programme, beginning at 6:00 pm, will be preceded by a concelebrated Holy Mass in Konkani ( at 4 pm), with Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore as the main Celebrant.
Chief minister H DKumaraswamy will inaugurate the function and DyCM B S Yediyurappa will be the chief guest. Rajya Sabha Member from Jharkand Mabel Rebello and Uttar Pradesh MLA Louise Khurshid will be the guests of honour.
Shirtady William Pinto, Robinson D'Souza and Lawrence Mendonca
At this function, the Federation will honour the following:
1. Eminent lawyer Shirtady William Pinto, with the "Lifetime achievement award"
2. Principal secretary - Karnataka legislature Robinson D'Souza with the "Professional excellence" award
3. Lawrence Mendonca – managing director of Standard Fabrications and Engineering, Dubai with the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award
The Federation, now in its ninth year, comprises of 11 Konkani Catholic Associations in Bangalore alone. The Konkani Catholic Association of Mysore is also affiliated to the Federation.
Konkani Associations of other cities of Karnataka are in the process of getting affiliated to the Federation. The Federation has been interacting with the concerned authorities in the government and has been fighting for fundamental rights and social justice.