Media Release

Abu Dhabi, Feb 18: Vivek Serrao hailing from Hirebyle Chikkamagaluru, has been elected as the 28th president of Abu Dhabi’s Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO). The election was held during the annual general body meeting that took place in Abu Dhabi on February 13. Vivek has been working in the UAE since the last 24 years and has been a member of the organization from the year 2000. Vivek has completed his master’s in business administration in marketing and HR. In the past committees, he has worked in several capacities as a media coordinator, sports secretary, entertainment secretary and vice president. He was also a member of the KCO silver jubilee committee for the year 2020-21.

Vivek, prior to this engagement with KCO, has been a member of the YSM in India and Emirates Paradela UAE. With his diverse skills in oratory, compering, event management, sports and strong organizational development abilities, he is the perfect candidate to take the lead as president.

The secretary, Sandhya Vas is a trained physiotherapist and presently working for Corniche Hospital Abu Dhabi for over 14 years. She has been in UAE for the past 19 years and hails from Angelore parish, Mangaluru and residing in Kinnigoli. She is an excellent sports person and has led the KCO throwball team as the captain from the last few years. She has also previously worked as the vice president, sports secretary for KCO, assistant general secretary and general secretary in the previous years.

Noel Fernandes who has been residing in Abu Dhabi for more than three decades has been re-elected as the treasurer for the year 2023. Noel hails from Kirem parish in Mangaluru and has completed his master’s in business administration and is currently working as a general manager with international distribution establishment. He is an ardent sports and cultural lover. Noel is also a member of the Indian Business & Professional Group and an active member of Toastmasters international, where he has held various offices in club and district levels.

Leena D’Souza, the election officer conducted free and fair elections through secret ballot and announced the names of the elected members. The elected members in consultation with the senior members then nominated rest of their managing committee members as follows:

Vice President: Claudia Lydia Lobo
Asst. General Secretary: Lionel Saldanha
Entertainment Secretary: Jason Correa
Sports Secretary: Sebastian Pais
Media Coordinator: Akshata Fernandes
Auditor, Scholarship and Medical Aid Disbursement Coordinator: Frankline D’Cunha
KCO Trust Advisor: CA Valerian Dalmaida
Advisory Committee members: Leo Rodrigues, Dolphy Vaz and Bennett D’Mello

KCO’s completion of 28 years has been only a stepping-stone to success and popularity through the years. Through the onset the organization has stayed true to its values and has continued its involvement in various social, cultural, and religious activities in Abu Dhabi, the most recent comedy drama event ‘Sikeram Driver’ was a tremendous success in 2022.

KCO has continued supporting the society through its scholarship and medical aid programs within UAE and India and looks forward to hosting a few more events in the region this year under its newly elected leadership.

During the AGM, the outgoing president Jason Correa thankfully expressed his gratitude to all the office bearers and committee members for their tremendous support during his tenure as president. In the one-year term as president Jason governed the organization and strengthened the core by staying focused on the organizations mission and values. Newly elected president Vivek expressed his gratitude for assuring faith and electing him as a president of KCO for the upcoming year 2023. He assured the organization that in his tenure he will take charge with the same values and determination to take KCO to greater avenues with the support of the veterans.

About KCO

Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) is well known in UAE, GCC and in India for its benevolent work in helping the needy and deserving students. KCO initiated several scholarships through Samanvaya of Mangaluru and also been helping scores of people suffering with critical illnesses. KCO has been recognizing and supporting many NGOs back home who are working with distressed, downtrodden and the needy within UAE and also in and around Udupi - Dakshina Kannada districts.

White Doves, Snehasadan, Jeevadhaan, Samanvaya, Saanidhya- Ganesh Seva Trust, Shanti Kiran Technical and Sneha Charitable Trust are the few names of NGOs though with KCO has provided socio-medical help to the needy in the past. KCO has been continuously sponsoring community marriages of underprivileged for the last few years.

With the enormous support from sponsors and benefactors KCO has managed to carry out their noble mission within UAE and India. It has also transformed itself as a mirror reflecting the culture, tradition and upholding the values of our great ancestors and has turned out to be a focal point for the Konkani community in Abu Dhabi. In the coming year, the new committee looks forward towards reviving the socio-cultural activities and continue serving the society in a better way.