Dubai: Mangalore Konkans Reach-out to Poor and Needy
Daijiworld Media Network
Pics: Ramcy Fernandes
Mangalore, Nov 7: Mangalore Konkans has been rated as one of the most vibrant community organizations among the world-wide Catholic community.
Their professional approach to the cause, determined goal, and extraordinary style of finishing the job they handle has brought them laurels from community members around the globe.
Their recent contribution to the poor and needy in form of Rs 25 lac towards CODP organization has once again highlighted their mission and shown to the world that their goal is clear – helping others through charity.
The event of handing over of cheque of Rs 25 lac was organized recently in Dubai. The detailed report is follows:
“Caring & Sharing with Love” a unique event organized to reveal the path trodden by the well-known Mangalore Konkans Dubai – an Association founded in 1988.
It was indeed a glittering start when most of the colourfully clad ladies and a few gents of Mangalore Konkans Dubai joined in singing the invocation “This little guiding light of Mine" holding lit lamps in their hands.
This was followed by the president James Mendonca welcoming the chief guest Consul General Venu Rajamani, special invitee Fr Onil, director of CODP, Mangalore & Fr Freddy D’Souza of St Mary’s Church, Dubai .
James extended a special welcome to the audience comprising all their benefactors and well-wishers over the years, who he said deserve a special welcome . These sponsors have placed their trust in the organization and have been extending their continued support to them in all their various activities and events. The team of Mangalore Konkans he said, is only an instrument, passing on the generosity and good will of these sponsors to the less fortunate brethren.
Soon after, followed the most vibrant and elaborate speech of the evening by Valerian Peris, the former president of Mangalore Konkans Dubai. He very interestingly narrated the history of this association as a dream-come-true. The dream he dreamt some years ago when he was surrounded by hundreds of poor and needy people looking helplessly for succour and sympathy when the enlightenment came from above to approach noble people for their patronage and unstinted support and these are the very sponsors who were present for this event “Caring & Sharing with Love”
Then it was time to take the audience back into the path trodden by Mangalore Konkans in the past 19 years. This was visualised by Rony Sequeira and elaborately commented by one of the founder members Rony D'Cunha. Accordingly, the history of the founding of Mangalore Konkans Dubai dates back to October 1988 when the idea was conceived by a young couple Hilda and Jerome Pereira. This infant was well-nurtured during the last 19 years by the dedicated and committed efforts of Konkani speaking Mangaloreans. Indeed, today it is a matter of great pride for this association to express its achievements and success.
The association has undertaken noble deeds, conducted entertainment programmes, cultural events, educational seminars, speechcraft sessions, talent contests, cullinary contests, beauty pageant shows, talent contests, sports meet, participation and winning laurels from Ladies Throwball UAE and Gulf-level competitions, benevolent deeds like repatriating the dead bodies of accident victims, visiting the sick and mourning etc.
A detailed report on the revenue raised and the allotment of the same for various charity activities through the years was highlighted. A special mention was made on the most benevolent deed of the existing two trust funds with CODP for higher education and health (Medical ) to the tune of 20,00,000 (Rupees Twenty lac only) and other trust funds amounting to approximately Rs. 6,00,000 (Indian Rupees Six lac only).
The presentation also conveyed the noble deeds of Mangalore Konkans, Dubai in sponsoring Four youngsters for priesthood. (One each of Capuchin, Diocesan, Redemptorist and Carmelite order). Mangalore Konkans' various other activities like conducting seminar for teenager - "The Journey- Teenage to Adulthood", career guidance and parental guidance seminar were reported.
The presentation not only showcased the activities of Mangalore Konkans, Dubai but also expressed a special message of gratitude to all the sponsors and well-wishers for walking side-by- side and hand-in-hand with Mangalore Konkans Dubai in their long journey of 19 years.
An advance mention was made of the Mega event proposed in 2008, that would coincide with the association’s completion of 20 successful years in Dubai in October 2008.
At the end, it was the Vision of Mangalore Konkans Dubai, that captured the attention of the audience,...and it read "A well-focused and sincere effort to ensure a better future for the generation ahead through education and health.”
Later Jocelyn Mascarenhas, one of the founder members, gave a briefing on the association of MK with Canara Organisation for Development & Peace (CODP) eversince the Education Trust was formed.
The highlight of the day's event "Caring & Sharing with Love" was announced thereafter. Aboline read out the letter adressed to CODP explaining how this Association grew up over the last 19 years with a humble beginning. The letter stated that Mangalore Konkans is elated to handover its contribution of Rs 25 lac to Fr Onil D’Souza, director, Canara Organisation for Development & Peace. and with this, the Mangalore Konkans' Education Trust stands at Rs 20 lac and Mangalore Konkans' Medical Trusts stands at Rs 20 lac. The contribution was officially handed over to Fr Onil D’Souza by James Mendonca, president, amidst the round applause elite audiene numbering about 150.
Another captivating moment of this programme was the speech of H E Venu Rajamony, the Consul General of India. He by his eloquent speech won the hearts of the people. Not only was he impressed by the report of the activities of Mangalore Konkans Dubai in the field of charity and interaction between the comunity people but also the association with the whole community of India by stretching a helping hand during the national calamities like earthquakes, floods and particular the Amnesty. He assured more interaction between the Consulate and Mangalore Konkans Dubai.
This was folowed by brief speeches by Fr Frederick D'Souza, the parish priest of StMary's Church Dubai and by K Kumar of the Indian Community Welfare Committee attached to the Indian Consulate.
The whole event was beautifully and eloquently compered by the popular MC Errol Goveas, one of past members of Mangalore Konkans. The audiendce included most of the sponsors, their spouses, well- wishers, members with their spouses and some ex-members of MK.
While all the guests were thanked for their participation and cooperation by Joyce Menezes, vice-president of Mangalore Konkans Dubai, grace before meals was sung by the team of Mangalore Konkans Dubai. This was followed by networking and dinner.
It seemed that all the invited guests were highly appreciative of the great works done by Mangalore Konkans Dubai over the years and assured to continue their support in this noble mission.
The function came to an end at around 10.30 pm.