Bangalore : Valerian Fernandes Elected Chairman of FKCA

Media Release

Bangalore, Jun 28: Valerian Fernandes has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) during its 13th AGM which was held at Konkan Bhavan, Bangalore. Philomena Pereira and Ronald Cutinha were elected as General Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

The office bearers are as follows:
Chairman - Valerian Fernandes
Gen. Secretary - Philomena Pereira
Vice Chairman 1 - Aida D'Cunha
Vice Chairman 2 - Nerry D'Silva
Treasurer - Ronald Cutinha
Joint Secretary -1 - Anand D'Silva
Joint Secretary -2 - Jerome D'Silva
Cultural Secretary - Lionel D'Souza
Legal Advisor - Jerome D'Souza
Media Manager - Vinod Saldanha
Spiritual Director - Rev Fr. VJ Menezes
Immediate Past Chairman - Charles Gomes
Immediate Past General Secretary - Naveen D'Souza

Fr. VJ Menezes conducted the election. Presidents and members from the member Associations were present.

Earlier the acting Chairman Charles Gomes assisted by Secretary Naveen D'Souza and Lullus Cutinha conducted the proceedings of the AGM. On this occasion 3 eminent persons were felicitated:

Gabriel Vaz - Former Political Editor of Economic Times
Jacob Crasta - Former President of FKCCI and first Konkani Catholic to be elected for FICCI
Justice BV Pinto - Additional Judge, Karnatka High Court

Newly elected chairman thanked the outgoing chairman Charles Gomes and his committee for the excellent work they had done during their tenure and assured that he would continue working at the same intensity.

The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA), which was established in 1998, has spread its activities far and wide with as many as 25 Associations of Konkani Catholics not only in different localities of Bangalore but Mysore and also abroad with those in UAE, Kuwait, USA, Canada and UK affiliated to it. Many other Associations in Australia, New Zealand and other countries as also different parts of the country are in the process of getting affiliated to the FKCA.

Having emerged as strong and united voice of Konkani Catholics as also a champion in espousing the cause of other minorities, the Federation has taken up several people-friendly programmes like annual sports, free placement service cell, matrimonial cell, entrepreneurs’ forum and free medical camps. It has also launched a worldwide directory of Konkani Catholics on its website, www.fkca.net. The Federation has helped over 60 members of its affiliated associations in getting house sites in well-developed and BMRDA approved housing sites on the Bangalore-Mangalore highway near Nelamangala, besides helping the needy by organizing regular programmes to create awareness and focus attention of their problems. It has also been regularly interacting with various governmental agencies and authorities.