Daijiworld News Network - Mumbai (AP/MB)

Mumbai, Sep 14: Immaculate Conception church, popularly known as IC Church, Borivli is very well known.

The largest portion of high-profile Christians live in this area which is also called as IC colony. The area is dominated by Christians and most of them are Konkani-speaking Christians. But unfortunately Konkani language did not have place here for long.

But now because of some of activists and Konkani-lovers the fervour for Konkani is slowly blooming. Every Sunday the  melodious Konkani choir led by Charles D'Cunha attracts people to attend Konkani mass. Nowadays the weekly Konkani mass is also well attend by people.

Montifest celebration is a unique festival of Mangalorean Konkani people. This feast binds all Mangaloreans together. The celebration of this year was held on September 10.

More than 700 Mangaloreans gathered for the celebration and Novem Jevonn. The celebrations started with the blessing of the new corn, followed by a procession with showering of flowers by the little children. The Konkani Mass was celebrated by Fr Lawrence and Fr Simon. Charles D'Cunha led the Choir and George Nazareth was the master of ceremonies.

A stage programme followed the mass. Fr Lawrence, Albert W D'Souza (MD Printannia Offset), George D'Souza (President of Canara Konkani Association}, Ancy Paladka (Konkani poet), Sr. Josephine (Principal) and Lawrence Coelho (Divo Editor) were present.

Albert D'Souza and  Ancy Paladka spoke on this occasion and explained about nurturing the culture and the language. There was also a Konkani cultural programme. Charles D'Cunha compered the programme. A new Konkani association called Canara Konkani Association was inaugurated during the occasion.

The first office bearers of the new association are
Chairman: Albert W. D'Souza
Vice Chairman: Maxim Mathias
President: George D'Souza
Secretary: Wilma D'Souza
Treasurer: Charles D'Cunha