Gerry D’Mello
Daijiworld Media Network - Canada
Toronto, Jun 23: The talented Konkani personalities and entrepreneurs have gone beyond the Indian Territories, crossed the Seven Seas and ventured into forming different businesses and various Canarite Associations in serving the Community. Perhaps this is the first time ever some Canarite Association outside India has come out with a unique way of serving the Konkani Community with the theme of ‘Planning for the inevitable’.
As we are all aware, death is the final destination of everyone’s life. For this reason, our past generations chose to immortalize death with stones and markers that tell about the people who are buried beneath them. Over the centuries the stone monuments became cemeteries where the living could come and feel some small connection with the one that passed on.
It is a known fact that in North America the living is expensive but dying is still more expensive. Looking at this dire need for the Konkani Community, the Canara World Foundation Inc, one of Konkani World’s renowned Foundations outside India, under the new banner ‘Canadian Canara Vision Inc’ has taken up a lead. By reserving burial ground for dignified and lasting memorial to the Catholics of Canara and Konkan origin living in surrounding areas of Greater Toronto, they have initiated a noble venture ‘CANARA CEMETERY’ with a mission theme: “To make a difference in the lives of Canadian Catholics, originating from Konkan and Canara coast, by fostering social, cultural, religious initiatives, through a team of Capable, committed, and energetic individuals!” Their primary objective is to provide affordable burial plots for these members out of which 5 plots are reserved for the needy community families.
The much awaited blessing ceremony of ‘Canara Cemetery’ took place on Saturday June 20 9.30 am with around 180 attendees at Meadowvale Cemetery and Visitation Centre, 7732 Mavis Road, Brampton in the Canadian Province of Ontario. The renowned Konkani priests - Fr Henry Alva, Fr Edwin D’Souza, and Fr Andrew Lewis who cater for the spiritual needs of Konkani diaspora in Canada took part in the blessing of the Cemetery followed by refreshments.
Flavian Pinto – the founder member of Canara World Foundation, who was the master mind behind bringing renowned Konkani singing stars like late Konkan Kogul Wilfy Rebimbus, Sangeeth Samraat Henry D’Souza, Konkan Kalashree Claud D’Souza and Yodelling King Melwyn Peris into Canada - welcomed the gathering. He started his speech with a punch line stating “There are two things that are certain in Canada. One... Taxes and the second one... Death”. He gave his own testimony how in 2011 due to sudden illness he felt as if death is knocking at his door! If some inevitable thing happens what will happen to his wife and children? Are they ready for his funeral arrangements?. “And now thanks to 'Canara Cemetery' We have a system in place in our own community to ease out such horrendous fears” he said. He applauded and introduced the founding members of Canara World Foundation and directors of Canadian Canara Vision Inc. –Donald-Sandra Alva, Flavian-Miriam Pinto, Gilbert D’Souza, Jeennifer–Arun Mendes, Joyson D’Souza, Martin Menezes, Meldon-Ingrid Pereira, Michael Serrao, Nelson D’Costa, Paul-Irene Mathias, Peter Lobo, Ronald-Dorothy Rego, Stan-Collette Goveas and the chairperson Max-Nancy Mendes.
Flavian introduced the Pre-Planning Advisor of Meadowvale Cemetery Pauline Tough. With her remarkable presentation she spoke about ‘Bringing together everything and everyone under one roof’ and briefed about the Meadowvale Cemetery and their services. After the Q & A session Max Mendes, the chairperson, raised the vote of thanks.During this rare and pioneering venture, representing Daijiworld, I had a privilege to air few questions to Max Mendes, the President of Canara World Foundation Inc. and Chair-person of Canadian Canara Vision Inc. Here are the excerpts of our conversation:
Q: Max, please accept my hearty congratulations on this great occasion. Please brief me about your new venture?
A: Thank you Gerry. Seldom people think or plan for the inevitable. No one plans for their death. We have seen people go through tremendous financial crisis when someone passes away in the family especially in a place like Canada where dying is very expensive. After a great research, Canara World Foundation Inc. decided to venture into this unique project. Surprisingly, the support that we are getting from the Community is more than we expected.
Q: You are the Kala Saanz Specialist. Your focus was on preserving our heritage and culture. How come you got this idea which is nowhere connected to Konkani language, art and culture?
A: After organizing various programs related to Konkani language, art and culture as a foundation we had that strong desire to serve the community in a unique way. As we all know, dying in Canada is very expensive that will cost between 20,000 to 25,000 Canadian Dollars. By venturing into ‘Canara Cemetery’ project we are able to reduce the funeral expenses drastically without compromising any quality of service.
Q: Could you please tell me what would be the cost?
A: There are three types of graves. Firstly, Single Lot (flat marker) costs $ 2052.00 ($ 2318.76 inclusive of HST). The size of the monuments allowed is flat marker monument, where two people can be buried in this grave. Secondly, Single Lot (Monument) costs $ 2660.00 ($3005.80 inclusive of HST) and standalone monuments can be erected on this lot and it allows two people to be buried in this grave. Thirdly, Two Grave Lot costs $ 5320.00 ($6011.60 inclusive of HST) and a single monument can be erected with up to four names inscribed on it. Upto four family members can be buried in this grave. Canadian Canara Vision Inc will be offering a 5% discount, under this initiative for the community members or one year interest free payment for all reservations until December 31st 2015 or for first 50 burial lots, whichever comes first.
Q: Tell me, who owns the plot?
A: Canadian Canara World Vision Inc will own the plots till it is sold to the community members. Once sold, the buyer will have the interment right, which is transferable to any family or community member or can be sold back to Canadian Canara Vision Inc. We will follow the Cemetery rules for the sale deed of the plots.
Q: Is it reserved only for Konkani speaking Mangalurean’s?
A: We promote this as a Catholic Konkani speaking & Canara belt from Kuch to Kochi. However family members of the deceased who may not be Catholic or Konkani speaking have the option of being buried in their reserved burial lot. It is the buyer of the lot to decide, not Canadian Canara Vision Inc.
Q: What’s the time frame for the plots to be purchased and used if need be?
A: Plots can be purchased from Canadian Canara World Vision from June 21st 2015 i.e. after the formal blessing of the Cemetery.
Q: Does the Catholic Church authorities permit to use the Cemetery to other Christian denominations and whether the priest will come for the last rites?
A: Yes, a Catholic priest will come to this cemetery for the last rites. A Polish Catholic church group has a reserved area with grave lots for their own community since 2002.
Q: What are the other expenses apart from cost of burial ground?
A: There are expenses involved in opening and closing of grace in the event of death, cost of Casket, Visitation/Wake, Monument, Mortuary Cards and Refreshments after the burial service. These services are offered by the Visitation Centre and the same can be obtained privately like casket, monument and community gathering after the funeral.
Q: Is there any Insurance in place for the final expenses?
A: Yes, there are Insurance Policies available and we will direct the person to an appropriate consultant based on the needs of the family.
Q: Who is heading the Canadian Canara Vision Inc?
A: The Board of Directors & Executive committee elected by board of directors are heading the organization. Life and regular Membership are also available upon request.
Q: Apart from Canara World Foundation we have other renowned Konkani Mangalurean / Goan Associations in Canada. Are these associations all part of this project?
A: We have extended our invitation to most of the Konkani Associations in Greater Toronto to join our Team of Directors. Some have really shown their interest. I have a strong hope that they will join us in the near future in serving the community!
Q: Finally Max, what are the future plans of Canadian Canara Vision Inc?
A: We have chalked out various plans for the community including to have our own Konkani Cultural Centre. Our prime motto is to bring our Konkani Youth under one umbrella so that they can get to know each other better and continue with our mission. This will also be a venue for our seniors and adults to meet and greet each other. More details are also available on our website : www.canaravision.com.
Now the Canadian Canara Vision Inc. is looking forward for the Community support in their future ventures.