Daijiworld Media Network – Kuwait

Kuwait, Apr 27: Lawrence Pinto, the co-founder of the hugely popular 'Gulf Voice of Mangalore' Konkani singing reality show, passed away on Tuesday April 27. He was 73.

A well-known Konkani community leader in Kuwait, Lawrence Pinto along with Louis Rodrigues co-founded Gulf Voice of Mangalore (GVOM) in 2008.

Lawrence was known for promoting Konkani in Kuwait. Along with popularising Konkani language and culture in the Gulf, he was known for his love for sports. He was involved in promoting a football club as well. He was instrumental in uniting the Konkani speaking people, the Mangalureans and the Goans residing in Kuwait under one umbrella through sports as well as his super-hit cultural programme ‘Konkani Ekvottachi Sanz’ and many other social cultural programmes.

Lawrence, popularly known as Pinto or Lawryaab, was born on November 15, 1948. Bad financial position led him to discontinue his studies from 8th standard and he joined the L&T Bombay as an unskilled labourer. He took great pain of part time study and graduated with a BCom degree from the Siddharth College, Mumbai. This led him to the position of storekeeper in his organization.

In 1975, on his search to get better prospects in life, he landed in Kuwait and was employed at the Bader Al Mulla, where he worked for 3 years and later he joined the Kuwait Airways. Knowing his abilities and hard work, Bader Al Mulla offered him a better position and Lawrence was once again joined back Bader Al Mulla. He was the manager (stores and purchase) of the well-known Bader Al Mulla’s engineering division when he retired during 2011.

Apart from his profession, Lawrence has involved himself in many social service activities. He was gifted with a tall lanky frame with a height of 6 feet ½ inch and is a great sport lover. He was a very active member of Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA) and served as vice president from 1995 to 1997. He then became president of KCWA for a period of 2 years from 1997-1999. During his tenure at the top rank, a modest beginning was made by opening a dedicated computer school (SASS) for the physically handicapped, which is being administered by Apostolic Carmel nuns of St Agnes School, Mangaluru. He also started the mortuary fund in KCWA.

Lawrence was also treasurer and then general secretary of the prestigious Indian Arts Circle.

He had played cricket and football for L&T in Mumbai. He has also played in Karnataka League for ‘Sathya Vijaya Football Club’. He was the manager of the sports team (cricket and football) of Bader Al Mulla Company. Indian football journey was started in Kuwait during 1978 and Lawrence Pinto was founder and the main instrument of the ‘Kuwait India Football Federation’ (KIFF), which is under the Indian Embassy of Kuwait. In 1979, he made ‘Youth Recreation Centre’ and formed a team called the ‘Rising Stars’, which is the fourth oldest Indian Football team in Kuwait. On the occasion of completion of its 25 years, he arranged a grand celebration called ‘Konkani Ekvottachi Sanz’ witnessed by leading Goan and Mangalurean artists such as Prince Jacob, Humbert, Rita Rose, C D’Silva, Wilfy Rebimbus.

The dream he saw along with Louis Rodrigues, who passed away in 2017, became Konkani’s super hit reality show ‘Gulf Voice of Mangalore’ which is ranked as Konkani’s No#1 show in the world. The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) of Muscat had felicitated him along with Louis Rodrigues for their contribution towards Konkani on the occasion of completion of glorious 20 years.

Lawrence leaves behind his wife Virginia and sons Christopher and Clifford.