Media Release
Bengaluru, Apr 19: KCA (Kanara Catholic Association), Bengaluru, the 60-year-old Mangalorean Catholic Association along with its sister organization KONCAB, inaugurated on Sunday, April 16, the aesthetically designed Gardenia Rooftop venue at the Konkan Samudhai Bhavan.
Under a star-lit sky, the distinguished chief guest, Francis Colaso, DGP (retd) and also a former president of the KCA, did the honours by cutting the ribbon. He was introduced to the audience by Jhonas D'Souza. In his address to the select gathering, Francis Colaco reminisced about the amazing progress that the KCA had made over the decades and the early days of the KCA over 30 years ago when he was the president then.
The guest of honour, Dr Ronald Colaco, NRI philanthropist, was felicitated by the KCA president, Adrian D'Souza together with the Koncab president, Vincent D'Souza, and the KWT chairman Sylvester Dsouza. Dr Ronald Colaco was introduced by Shanti Peres, vice president, KCA.
In his riveting speech, Dr Colaco, extolled the importance of service to the community, particularly the value of 'giving back'. He impressed upon the rapt audience the value of the Mangalorean Catholic Community having a convention venue of its own and highlighted the difficulties of the journey in constructing the Konkan Samudhai Bhavan to its excellent present state, where it is a much sought after venue for functions for over 200 days a year.
The vote of thanks was given by the KCA president Adrian D'Souza who was heartfelt in his gratitude towards the generous donors, past presidents, committee members both past and present and other luminaries present at the function.
The galaxy of KCA past presidents stretching back over the last 30 years along with the KWT and Koncab members present, showed the unity, support and goodwill among its members. Also present were Clarence Pereira, president KE, Silvian Noronha, chairman FKCA and Ricky Patel, President Catholic Club , enhancing the occasion.
The fellowship that followed was heartening with an array of delicious Mangalurean dishes catered by KCA member 'The Konkan Restaurant'.
Neri D’silva ably compered the function deftly switching between Konkani and English.
The feedback from the guests was one of satisfaction and achievement for a well-designed and impressive venue, which would further enhance the prestige of the Konkan Samudhai Bhavan as a central point of focus for the Mangalurean Catholic Community in Bengaluru.
The occasion was a resounding success and definitely a feather in the cap for the KCA in particular, and the Mangalorean Catholic community in general.