Media Release

New Delhi, Nov 16: Kanara Cultural Association (KCA) which was established in 1966 celebrated its golden jubilee on November 12 at Diocesan Community Centre, Ashoka Road here.

The function was well attended by former KCA office bearers and KCA members spread in the National Capital Region in response to invitation extended by KCA executive committee headed by Lydia Almeida.

The programme began with thanksgiving Eucharist in Konkani and the main celebrant was Delhi’s Archbishop Fr Anil JT Couto and concelebrated by Archbishop Emeritus Vincent M Concessao, Fr Victor D’Souza, Fr Vincent Crasta KCA’s present spiritual director, Fr Vincent D’Souza, Fr Chetan Machado, Fr Rohan, Fr Arthur Pinto and Fr Vijay Baretto.

Fr Vincent D'Souza, Principal of Rosary School Delhi preached an inspiring homily in Konkani which was attentively heard by all present and later many quoted it during the cultural programme also.

“Golden Jubilee, fifty years makes 18,623 days, in Biblical perspective is a thanksgiving occasion. Golden Jubilee signifies God’s blessings on our struggles and efforts to survive. It also proves if we walk in the righteous path and continue to do just works, then it is God’s work. God will always protect His work,” he said.

In the beginning of the Mass, Dorothy Pereira gave introduction to the Jubilee Mass and Fr Vincent Crasta welcomed everyone to participate in the Eucharist. After the Eucharist, he thanked the main celebrant and the others. The choir was melodious. Immediately after the mass snacks and coffee was served.

The programme was attended by Fr Anil JT Couto, Archbishop Delhi, Fr Vincent M Concessao, Archbishop Emeritus Delhi, Fr Victor D’Souza, KCA’s founder spiritual director, Oscar Fernandes, Member of Parliament, Blossom Fernandes, Suman Kurade, president ‘Goenkarancho Ekvot’, Vasnath Shetty Bellare, president Delhi Kannada Sangha, former presidents of KCA, Simon Lobo, Martin Pinto, Vincent Menezes and Elias Pinto.

The cultural programme began with the lighting of the lamp by the chief guests, dignitaries and prayer dance by children which was arranged by Helen Lobo and team. The august gathering was welcomed by Lydia Almeida, KCA president. She recalled the hard work and contributions of KCA office bearers, spiritual directors and members during the last 50 years which made KCA lively and reputed association of Kanarites in Delhi, the national capital.

In an emotional note, she said, “This opportunity to stand before the gathering in the national capital of India, to welcome KCA’s Golden Jubilee is humbling for a person born and brought up in Shirva, a small village in coastal Karnataka, is also an opportunity to thank God and to all KCA members for the support and cooperation.”

The function continued with cake cutting and presentation of a glimpse of KCA history by Fr Chetan Machado former KCA spiritual director, presently National Youth Director and Elias Pinto, former KCA president. The highlights were, formative period 1960s and 1970 that brought Kanarites in Delhi from different walks of life under one association irrespective of economic or social status. In 1980s and 1990s, able leadership and guidance by eminent Kanarites of Delhi made KCA as an organization of refute focusing more on cultural activities. From 2000 onwards the KCA’s membership profile became much broader as more members joined KCA from National Capital Region (Noida, Faridabad, and Gurgaon). KCA was fortunate in its 50 years journey as many of its members became prominent persons in the field of religion, politics, and administration, academic and corporate fields. Their services and guidance benefited KCA considerably and acknowledged by KCA members.

KCAs founder member and first spiritual director, Fr Victor D’Souza, Apoline Albuquerque, founder member, KCA’s former presidents Simon Lobo, Martin Pinto, Vincent Menezes and Elias Pinto were honoured by KCA president Lydia Almeida and Vincent Crasta.

Maxwell Pereira and Irene D’Souza had informed their inability to attend due to prior commitment and extended their best wishes to the programme.

Fr Anil JT Couto, Archbishop of Delhi in his address appreciated Kanara Cultural Association’s 50 years journey and its contributions. The attachment to Konkani language, traditions, culture has made Kanarites strong and KCA was blessed with eminent persons as its members. He also said that doing right things collectively is also doing God’s work. God will protect his work even when one faces hardships and difficulties. Jubilee is the review of the past and also a thanksgiving celebration. No force can harm or stop God’s work, he added.

It was followed by the Jubilee song which drew the attention of all present. Jubilee song was sung by KCA members and the team was led by Veronica Alick and Babita Pinto.

Suman Kurade, president Goenkarancho Ekvot, Delhi in her warm greetings and best wishes on the occasion of KCA’s golden jubilee emphasized use of Konkani language and importance of an association promoting Konkani language, art culture in Delhi, the capital of India.

She appreciated Kanarites, whom she called elder brothers or elder sisters in Delhi as KCA was formed in 1966 where as Goenkarancho Ekvot came into existence much later in Delhi in 2001.

The group dance by KCA youth by Anisha and team gave a glimpse of youth talent and it was well appreciated by huge round of applause by the audience for its ethnic moorings.

Oscar Fernandes, Member of Parliament (since 1980s) and KCA’s patron in his address spoke about the work done by KCA in the past 50 years, though most members hail from coastal region which is only a small part of Karnataka. He also shared his memories and association with KCA. Looking at the future he emphasized the importance of supporting higher education and KCA having its own building. He appealed to KCA members to support and achieve these goals in the next five years. He also assured help to KCA to organize an event on higher education.

Sr Leena D’Mello sang a Konkani solo song that took the audience to yester years when everybody looked forward to the ‘first day of the month as it brought money to family and demands/worries along with it...’

Vasanth Shetty Bellare, president Delhi Kannada Sangha, who was warmly welcomed and introduced in Kannada as a person who supports linguistic and cultural diversity of Karnataka through Delhi Kannada Sangha programmes in Delhi. Vasanth Shetty, while extending his greetings and best wishes to KCA members on the occasion of Golden Jubilee highlighted three significant contributions of Kanarites that made people of Karnataka proud in Delhi. He pointed out as an example, three eminent Kanarites who are also national politicians. They are, George Fernandes, apart from his national stature, who also asked maximum number of questions related to Karnataka in the Lok Sabha, Margaret Alva, who served as Member of Parliament, Minister in Government of India and Governor of several states and Oscar Fernandes one of the longest serving Member of Parliament since 1980 who was also cabinet minister. These three personalities through their service record to ordinary citizens of India have served as an inspiration to many. Likewise the contributions of Kanarites in administration, literature and education have served as a role model for other communities of Karnataka. He also emphasised the language and cultural advantages Kanarites enjoy and its importance in Delhi when cultural programmes are held in Delhi and cordial relations Kanarites have with other linguistic associations of Karnataka. He assured the support of Delhi Kannada Sangha to KCA.

The Konkani skit ‘Paanch phirkis’ by energetic KCA youth put everybody into a dramatic mood. The acting skill of the young actors, Godfrey, Praveen, Sujith, Sumitha and Arun was commendable. Their command over Konkani proved the drama as one of the highpoints of the cultural programme.

Fr Victor D’Souza, ‘KCA’s history book’ and a priest loved and respected highly by all KCA members of all age groups in his brief address expressed his satisfaction for the meaningful celebrations and impressive cultural programme by the youth and KCA members.

He added his contributions to KCA as its first spiritual director and the honour given to him by KCA must be shared by all, as most of KCA’s hard work during the last 50 years is done by KCA office bearers and members.

The final listed cultural event was a group song led by Anisha Mathias. This team also demonstrated the cultural moorings of Kanarites which was well appreciated by the audience.

The surprise item and golden moment of KCA Golden Jubilee function, which will be remembered and spoken of for quite some time in the coming years by all those present for the celebration, was the Konkani song “Mozo Sezari”- My Neighbour, sung by Fr Vincent M Concessao Archbishop Emeritus of Delhi, instead of a speech. It invited a standing ovation and applause by the audience. The message of the song was to be a good neighbour.

KCA’s Golden Jubilee Souvenir was released by Suman Kurade, President Goenkarancho Ekvot, Delhi.

KCA on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee honoured 25 of its members for providing selfless service to KCA and Kanara Community in Delhi. The awards were given away by Oscar Fernandes. The names included are Celestine Jain, Maurice D’Almeida, Pramila D’Souza, Milred Pinto, Siprian D’Souza, Veronica Alick, Felix Saldana, Vincent Crasta, Dorothy Pereira, Lancy Paul Furtado, Leena Lobo, Thomas Danthy, Ida Rodrigues, Mark Pereira, Jean Menezes, Melwyn Albuquerque, Helen Lobo, Godfrey Frank, Anitha Lobo, Simon Misquith, Babitha Pinto, Tony Mathias, Felcy Anderson, Pius Monteiro, Arun Vegas and Anisha Mathias.

The food was blessed by Fr Vincent M. Concessao. The sumptuous meal was prepared by Maurice Almeida.

Praveen D’Souza proposed vote of thanks.

The function was compered by Pius Montero (in Konkani, partly Kannada and Tulu) and Babita Pinto in English.

KCA offered a Requiem Mass on November 4 in remembrance of KCA members who have passed away during the last 50 years. The Mass was offered by Fr Victor D’Souza at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.