Media Release

Muscat, May 19: In a recently held annual general body meeting at the Indian Social Club Venue at Muscat, prominent leader of Mangalurean Konkani community, erstwhile president of Oman’s MCCP, a multi-talented personality and dynamic leader Ajith Rajesh Walder took over the charge as the new convener of the Mangalurean Konkani Wing (MKW) of the Indian Social Club, Muscat, for the next two years (2023-25).

A new executive committee for the years 2023-25 also formed with an association of 8 well known personalities from the community who are known to hold brilliant experience, exposure and acumen to lead the organization to success.

Ajith Rajesh Walder, new convener

Ajith Rajesh Walder, a young, dynamic and charismatic leader hailing from Loretto in Bantwal, in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada. The Indian Social Club needs young leaders to take the helm of responsibilities, and he has risen to become the convener, setting an example for many people. He had previously served in different capacities in MCCP, as sports secretary in the year 2009, vice president – sports & finance in the year 2012, and as president in the year 2018. He also served in the silver jubilee committee of the MCCP.

Ajith Rajesh Walder comes from a large family of 10 children and is the 9th in the family of Marcel Walder and Dulcine Walder, from Loretto, Bantwal. He initially started his journey of leadership with the help of ICYM. After managing his responsibilities as youth president at Loretto parish level, he went to become the EC member in Bantwal Varado youth. Ajith accomplished BBM from the prestigious St Aloysius College and then did MBA in Marketing from the Mumbai University. He has been working as divisional manager with Bin Salim enterprises LLC – Oman.

Ajith Rajesh Walder is married to Naina Walder, a very supportive and understanding person. The couple is blessed with talented daughter Renessa and Ariana Kim. He is imbibed with multi-talents and carries a vibrant personality. He is an orator, a public speaker, a sportsman and an energetic team leader. He has been vice president at Bin Salim Toast Masters Club. Apart from his active role in the social circles, he is a good sportsman and does regular gym work-outs. To add to his list of achievements, he has also enthusiastically participated in and won laurels at various singing and sports competitions.

While speaking on the theme for the term ‘Ekvotan, Sangathponan ani Metherponan’ (with unity, togetherness and participation), exemplifies the resolution by the new committee with dedication and commitment towards the Mangalurean Konkani speaking community of Oman. He also emphasized that, with gigantic dreams, the MKW is now the driving power and innovator to uphold and sustain the rich culture, traditions and Konkani language of native Mangaluru. It is committed to not only preserving the Konkani culture but also establishing and strengthening communication and relations with Mangalureans in Oman and around the world. He also recalled the able and gifted leadership and vision of Clarence Donold Pinto, the first convener of MKW and with his executive committee (EC) steered MKW towards many triumphs and successes leading to tremendous contributions to the community.

Executive committee 2023-25

The executive committee members elected are as below:

Loveline Teophan Rego, co-convener

Loveline Teophan Rego, hailing from Mangaluru, belongs to Holy Cross Church Kulshekar. He is married to Reema Alveera Rego and has 3 children: Lovette, Lanette and Laurette. He is currently working as business development manager at M/s Suleyum AL Kiyumi Trading LLC (Dafnia Group). He is an ardent supporter of Konkani community in Muscat. Mostly all community gatherings never miss his DJ system for which he is widely and fondly nicknamed as DJ Loveline. He held different portfolios in the past executive committee of Oman’s MCCP and in MKW as well.

Vijai D’Cunha, treasurer

Vijai D’Cunha, native of Guruvayanakere, and belongs to Holy Redeemer’s Church, Beltangady. He is married to Jane Maria Rebello and has 2 children: Rayner and Ransley. He is currently working as an assistant general manager at M/s Marmul Hospitality Group. He has served in the past executive committee of Oman’s MCCP and has been extending his services to the successive MCCP committees in managing the media and publishing the event reports etc. He has also written many Konkani poems, and articles about Indian laws as being himself a lawyer and accredited with MBA (Finance) in distinction as well. He had also won the logo making competition by the successive MCCP committees matching to the theme selected for the year.

Adolf D’Souza, joint treasurer

Adolf D’Souza, hails from Mangaluru and belongs to Holy Cross Church Kulshekar. He is married to Jocelyne Pereira and they have 2 children: Liana and Reeva. He is currently a managing partner in M/s Muscat Golden Services LLC, specializing in Industrial Cold Storage Solutions. It is worth to mention that, M/s Muscat Golden Services LLC has been the chief patron and supporter to all the Mangalurean community clubs and associations in Muscat for the past many years.

Ajith D’Costa, sports secretary

Ajith Ivan D’Costa, hailing from Kundapur, belongs to St Pius X Church, Hanglur. He is married to Reshma D’Costa and has 2 children: Anisha and Aman. He is working as a finance manager for Oman cricket. He has also served as sports secretary in Oman’s MCCP for the year 2018-19. He had successfully conducted many sports events and has a great passion for sports. 

Lancy Lobo, cultural secretary

Lancy Lobo, hails from Mangaluru, and belongs to Neermarga/Kelarai parish. He married to Anita Lobo and have 2 children: Lenita and Andril. He is the operations manager of Oman’s top brand and well known eatery with Mangalurean cuisine ‘South Express’. He is an ardent supporter of Konkani community in Muscat, and every MCCP event never miss his stage set-up and decoration. He had been the past president of Oman’s MCCP. He is also a well-known drama actor and had acted in several comedy skits and dramas held in the community events.

Peter Fernandes, entertainment secretary

Peter Prakash Fernandes, hailing from Gantalkatte, belongs to Our Lady of Perpetual Succor. He is married to Neilet Jennifer Rasquinha and has a child: Pearl Nia. He is working as senior lab technician at Lonestar Alpha Laboratories, Muscat. He has served in various committees of the church in different capacities. The entire community in Muscat fondly nicknamed him as ‘Pedru’ & ‘Pittu Oman’, and one cannot overlook this name when any skit or drama is held in Muscat. He is an extempore speaker, a comedian, a dramatist, an actor, excellent coordinator and a good orator as well.

Olivia Saldanha, children's wing secretary

Olivia Saldanha, hailing from Pamboor, belongs to Holy Cross Church. She is married to Robert Saldanha and has 2 children: Aaryl and Aaron. She is working in the accounts department of Mawarid Trading Oman LLC. She has served in various committees of Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community. Her support in the arrangements for the monthly liturgical services and also particularly during Monti feast are highly praise worthy.

Silvia Dias, lady co-ordinator

Silvia Dias, hailing from Honavar, belongs to San Salvador Church. She is married to Ruzario Fernandes and has a child: Rachel Rose. She is a good homemaker besides being fully involved in all church activities. She also serves as Catechist at the Holy Spirit Church, Ghala. She also supports the lector services during the Children’s Mass. She has also served in Oman’s MCCP as the general secretary during the term 2019-23. She also supports the arrangements for the liturgical services at Ghala church.

Recalling the humble beginning, the MKW is a socio-cultural group of Mangalurean Konkani speaking in Oman – formally established in 2017 with a small group of members as a linguistic wing of the Indian Social Club, Muscat. All through these 6 years, it has been the only stepping-stone to success and popularity even through the pandemic. It is also a front-runner in extending a helping hand to people in distress and the underprivileged people from Mangaluru who are living in Oman. Through the onset, the organization has stayed true to its values and has continued its involvement in various charity and social activities in Muscat. Even during the pandemic, the MKW continued supporting truly needy people through huge food distribution, medical aid, and air tickets and had been a pioneer in supporting the Indian mission in Oman in sending plenty of blankets to Turkey and flour to Syria for the worst affected earthquake victims of this year. The MKW also championed in conducting many blood donation camps in the past.

On the cultural side, the MKW also hosted the semifinal for the sixth edition of ‘Gulf Voice of Mangalore’ (GVOM) – Konkani singing talent hunt in the year 2018, and it was an all-out success and great pride to the Mangalurean Konkani speaking community in Oman. The MKW in collaboration with Mangalurean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP), Ruwi, had also conducted annual cricket sports events every year.

During the last 6 years of tenure, the MKW was able to transform the Konkani wing not just as a cultural association but also as a versatile organization which engaged enthusiastically in various charity, cultural and social service activities. The MKW plays an integral role in providing a platform for developing leadership, especially among the youth of the community, through sports and cultural events.

While highlighting the team’s plans for the year 2023-25, Ajith Rajesh Walder says that they have lined up with many exciting events that will be entertaining the Mangalurean Konkani speaking community members and at the same time bring back the true essence and glory of the motherland. He wants to have a real enthralling year for the members and the entire Konkani speaking community in Muscat. Meanwhile, he looks forward to the wholehearted support and cooperation from one and all.