by Clarence Pinto, Muscat
Daijiworld Media Network Muscat
Muscat, Apr 14: Recognizing the immense and selfless social, community and language service carried out by Celso Fernandes to the Goan Community, more specifically in the Sultanate of Oman, the Government of Goa honored him with one of the highest awards to the Non-resident Indians : Global Goans – The Community Service Leadership Award at the recently held function at Panaji - Goa.
Celso Fernandes, Muscat based Goan Community activist and strong Konkani philanthropist conferred with the Community Service Leadership Award by the Chief Minister of Goa, Honorable Shri Digambar Kamat at “the Conference on Indian Expatriates in the Gulf Countries” held at the Hotel Mandovi’s Convention Hall, Panaji on 29th April 2008. Honorable Shri Vayalar Ravi, Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs inaugurated the conference and Shri J. P. Singh, the Chief Secretary was the Guest of Honor.
“It was really a great honor for me” smiling and satisfied Celso told www.daijiworld.com Muscat Team. “and truly a recognition for all I have done for my people, my community and my language; in fact without expecting anything. I am grateful to Goan brothers and sisters for their constant love and continuous support to me.”
The Community Service leadership Awards established by the Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Government of Goa, is specifically to encourage Goan Community leaders whose work reflects a strong ethic of service to the community outside Goa. They seek to recognize, strengthen and highlight the importance of community leadership in participatory planning, action and improving people’s lives. Further, the Community Service Leadership Awards encourage others to acknowledge that leadership comes in many forms and in many fields including social service, philanthropy, human rights, citizen participation, education, youth development and the arts.
A proud Taleiganvkar, Celso was the founding member of Taleigao Kala Sonstha, Youth secretary for 9 years and the secretary general of St Michael’s Club, the only year when the club represented the GOA Football Senior League.
He continued his mission in Oman where he actively organized various socio- cultural and sports events for 30 years and more importantly the annual “Goa day” function.
Well respected, he was chosen to represent the Goan community for 3 terms in the Pastoral Council and was it’s Vice President from 2005 to 2007.
Celso is known for his generosity to Goans in Muscat in their financial and social troubles. With his enormous love and support for Konkani language he arranged various musical shows and tiatrs in Oman and was one of the main organizers in the historic Mangalore – Goan drama.
Employed as Senior Manager in BankMuscat, Celso is a Niz Goemkar ani niz Konkankar. Though known for his humility he proudly says, “ Goemkarpon samballat. Konknni uloiat. Konkni uloun, hoi tum girest zaumchonaim, ghoddie goribuch urtoloi. Hem sot. Punn tachem von vhodd sot mhontlear, tujea vavran tum Konknink ani Goemkarank girest kortoloi.”
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