Media release

Bengaluru, Nov 24: Konkani Catholic Association, Bengaluru known as KONCAB in short, celebrated their Grand Silver Jubilee on November 20 at the newly built Konkan Samudai Bhavan here.

The celebration event was well attended by its members and the new community hall was housefull. NRI entrepreneur Ronald Colaco graced the occasion as chief guest and entrepreneur Austin Roach and industrialist Adrian D’Souza were the guests of honour along with Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario and FKCA Chairman Arun Fernandes. 

The event began with the dignitaries lighting the lamp along with KONCAB president Jhonas D’Souza and Secretary Nora Menezes, followed by prayer lead by Sylvia Rodrigues and accompanied by Ida Sequeira and Rita Lobo. Ex-President and Silver Jubilee reception committee leader Sylvester D’Souza welcomed the dignitaries and guests. In his welcome address, he recounted how it all started in 1991 as a small group of like-minded Konkani Catholics residing in and around north east Bangalore,gathered on the Gandhi Jayanthi day in Jyothi school premises in Kammanahalli, Bengaluru and KONCAB was formed.Now the association has grown to be a strong 25 year old premier Association among the Konkani Catholic associations in Bengaluru today.

Jhonas D’Souza briefed the audience about the achievements of the association and said that if the association is shining like a brightand smart 25 year old young-star, the credit goes to the founder committee members and subsequent presidents and managing committees who nurtured it for all these 25 years. He hailed the pioneering path set by the association by not limiting its service to only its members, but expanding it to the whole Konkani Christian community in Bengaluru through annual sports and annual talents competition show Kalanjali. He mentioned that the biggest achievement of KONCAB has been the realization of their dream of having their own building, which was possible through the KWT Trust formed between KONCAB and KCA (Kanara Catholics Association) which is another premier association of Bengaluru.

Praising the complete responsibility taken by the Trust Chairman Ronald Colaco, he said that the building is standing in front of us today, only because of the leadership of Colaco and the huge financial contribution made by him and the funds collected by his own efforts. Since Colaco lives abroad most of the time, he had appointed his son Nigel Colaco to take leadership and drive the completion of the project. Nigel Colaco’s selfless efforts were applauded by the audience. The president urged the KONCAB members to set aside a small sum on a monthly basis for the sake of our language and for the sake of the association. This will enable the KONCAB managing committee to organize more and more events for the benefit of members.

Along with KONCAB President, the guest of honour Eric Ozario honored the chief guest Ronald Colaco for his magnanimous service to KONCAB and the society in general. KONCAB also honored the guests of honor Austin Roach and Adrian D’Souza for their outstanding support to KONCAB and the Konkani community.

Ronald Colaco congratulated KONCAB for their Silver Jubilee and applauded the efforts of KONCAB in nurturing the Mangalurean culture and Konkani language in Bengaluru through its various sports and cultural events organized for all Konkani Catholics.He praised KONCAB for all the good work they do for charity, visiting the sick members, helping the members during tragedy in their family,blood donation programme, and scholarships to bright students etc. He went on to say that every member in KONCAB should implement the suggestion given by the president to keep a small portion of their income for the association activities which will reduce the burden of the managing committee for raising funds. As modest as he has always been, he said that he does not expect any applause or returns for whatever contribution he makes for the society, but he will be happy if more and more people emulate him in contribution by setting aside a portion of their income.

Guest of honor Austin Roach in his speech recalled his association with KONCAB in early days when he was part of the managing committee and was involved in all of the activities. He said that KONCAB has grown in stature as a premier association by its dedicated hard-work and team spirit. He wished them more success in the coming days.

Adrian D’Souza another guest of honour, emphasized that success does not begin at the fruits but it starts at the roots. He said that if KONCAB is successful today, it is only because of the roots it has and the path it has trodden in the past 25 years. He congratulated KONCAB for their Silver Jubilee and wished them well for future.

Eric Ozario in his address recalled his association with KONCAB for the past several years and also the dedicated effort put in by KONCAB during Konkani Nirantari, the longest group singing event organized by Mandd Sobhann in January 2008. KONCAB was the only group from Bengaluru among the 44 worldwide Konkani singing groups that participated and went on to create history by breaking the Guinness World Record by singing for 44 hours non-stop and put Konkani language in the world stage.

FKCA chairman Arun Fernandesin his address recounted how he has grown up with KONCAB as his father is one of the founding committee members. He praised KONCAB for being the pioneer and trendsetter association in Bengaluru. As one of the founding members of FKCA, he said, KONCAB has provided active supportin all of FKCA activities.

There was a surprise element on the stage as it was the birthday of Jean Colaco, the spouse of Ronald Colaco. Her birthday was celebrated with cake cutting and Eric Ozario taking the lead and directing the audience for singing 'Bhagi zolma dees' in Konkani.

During the Silver Jubilee function,Ronald Colaco released the KONCAB Member’s Directory which contains details of its nearly 600 members.

Steven D’Silva was chosen as the 'Person of the year' by KONCAB for his outstanding and continuous service to KONCAB for the past 25 years. He has been tirelessly serving in the managing committee at various roles and currently serving as the cultural secretary. He was felicitated by the chief guest with a shawl, peta and a plaque of honour.

KONCAB Secretary Nora Menezes proposed the vote of thanks. Neri D’Silva, a well-known MC in Bengaluru and KONCAB office bearer, compered the programme.

The stage function was followed by entertainment programme by 'Vishwa Konkani Kalrathn' Eric Ozario and the Mandd Sobhann artists. He was accompanied by his wife 'Konkani Abolem' Joyce Ozario, 'Ranni Kogul' Jaqueline Fernandes, Preethi Lopez and others in singing some of the old and new Konkani numbers. The singing was interspersed with some hilarious comedy acts by Maskiri Kalakar lead by Wilfy Mascarenhas which entertained the housefull crowd.

The Silver Jubilee celebration ended with dinner. The audience went home contended for being part of the Silver Jubilee programme which was to be the first programme to be held in the newly constructed Konkan Samudai Bhavan Community Hall.