Mumbai: 'Konkan Taram' Celebrates 20 Successful Years of Service

Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 19: 'Konkan Taram', an organization with the motto, 'Leadership through Service', has been organizing a number of social, cultural and liturgical activities in the metro. A Konkani choir group formed by John R Mascarenhas in 1986 had given birth to this new Konkani organization on September 1, 1991, under the leadership of its founder committee members like Fr Paul Rego, Norbert Sequeira, John Mascarenhas, Wilson Pinto, Rudolf Rebello and several other likeminded Konkani talents of Jerimeri. It was inaugurated by Sunny A D'Souza.
 
Over the last 20 years, 'Konkan Taram' has organized for it's charitable fund raising purposes, mega shows like 'Baila Show of Eric Ozario', 'Henry Nite', 'Melwyn Nite', 'Chintnen Sobdan Kornen', – Konkani play written by Mic Max and directed by John Mascarenhas, 'Antu Khuris Ailo' and 'Ghott Dhor Soddinaka', written and directed by Sunny A D'Souza, 'Khunigar Novro', and 'Soirikek Addkoll', - written and directed by John Mascarenhas, 'Vovvu Lavvu' of Vijaya Kumar Shetty, Christmas carols and Easter message on All India Radio, Monthi Fest message in Lemon TV and several other shows for the growth and benefit of the association.

Social activities like 'Sunny Nidhi', 'Shraddanjali', workshops and training programmes for the youth, children, elders and the women, were also conducted by the organization during this period. Besides helping the poor, sick and the needy, 'Konkan Taram' also has honoured several great personalities like Francis Fernandes Cascia, Walter D'Souza Nandalike, besides conferred it's 'Kalaratna' awards on great artistes like Dr Charles Vaz SVD, Dr Charles, Sunny A D'Souza, Henry D'Souza, Lawrence Saldanha, Jerome D'Souza, Nephie Rod Pradhan, Benjamin, William Machado and Melwyn Peris.

After lighting of the 'Anniversary Memorial Lamp', chief guest, Thomas Sequeira – Abu Dhabi and guest of honour, Fr Nelson Saldanha, were honoured and felicitated with traditional shawls, fruits and citations. The chief guest unveiled the title of a new devotional CD, 'Taram Gitam', containing devotional hymns composed by John Mascarenhas (for which singers like Nephie, John , Franky, Sunita, Dr Prashant, Anthony Tauro and several others alongwith Konkan Taram members, musician, Benjamin Miranda and film playback musicians will contribute). Lawrence D'Souza, Walter D'Souza, George Furtado, John Mascarenhas, Sr Anita and Flora D'Souza were on the dais along with the guest of honour and the chief guest.

George Furtado (president), and Flora D'Souza (secretary), welcomed the guests. Kenet Barnes, John Veigas, Jacintha D'Souza, Joseph D'Souza and other committee members presented bouquets to the guests, besides introducing them. John Mascarenhas (choir master and treasurer), spoke about various activities of the organization, while Clement Lobo-Chakala compered the programme. Fiola, Glensita, Valencia, Bonny, Jackson, Rickson, Remita, Rechell, Alita, Magnus, Alisha and Konkan Taram members entertained the audience with a programme of singing, dance and variety entertainments.

In the morning, Fr Nelson Saldanha, Fr Faustin Furtado, Fr Prakash Tuskano and Fr Stephen Maria participated in the Monthi Fest High Mass, along with children from the parish like Remita, Noel, Christon, Glensita, Nikita, Roydon and others. The programme concluded with dinner (Novem Jevann) for all invitees, guests, parishioners and well-wishers.