Bangalore: Alwyn Mendonca Unanimously Elected President of BKCS

Report & Pics: Praveen Brian Rebello
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 14: The 13th annual general body meeting (AGM) of Bangalore Konkani Catholic Sangh (BKCS), Koramangala for the year 2009-2010 was held at Providence Convent here recently.

The event began at 9:30 am with Konkani mass celebrated by Fr Faustine Lobo, coordinator for 17 commissions under the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council – KRCBC, PRO for the church in the state. He conveyed the message that one should be just, promote justice and condemn injustice and try to be like a prophet in the world. Benedicta Veigas with other members added more meaning to the liturgy.

After the mass, Fr Faustine Lobo led the gathering in prayer. Akil Vijay D’Souza, the master of ceremony, requested the gathering to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the departed souls of the members of the association.
 
Aida Margaret D’Cunha, the outgoing president, welcomed the gathering. Nola D’Souza, the outgoing joint secretary presented the minutes of the AGM of 2009. William Pinto, the outgoing secretary, presented the annual report. On behalf of David Roy Lobo, the outgoing treasurer, Dennis Pereira, the past-president, presented the accounts.

GV Sunder & Co was unanimously appointed auditor for the year ahead.

Aida Margaret D’Cunha thanked the members for their support during her tenure as the president. She specially Justice BV Pinto who was the backbone of the growth of the association and also asked her fellow members for their wholehearted support and cooperation to the new committee. William Pinto, the outgoing secretary, also thanked everyone for their support.

Fr Faustine Lobo, the spiritual director of BKCS, Koramangala was unanimously appointed the election officer. He carried on the election process smoothly.
 
The office-bearers were elected unanimously.

President:  Alwyn Mendonca

Vice-president:  Mark D’Souza

Secretary:  Charles Menezes

Joint-secretary:  Nola D’Souza

Treasurer:  Joseph Sequeira

Cultural secretary:  Menderline Machado

Sports secretary:  Norbert D’Sa

Youth representative [Male]: Akil Vijay D’Souza

Youth representative [Female]: Metilda Rego

Media coordinator:  Praveen Brian Rebello

Immediate past president: Aida Margaret D’Cunha

Immediate past secretary: William Pinto

Honorary members: Raymond Quadros, the founder president, Valerian Fernandes, the past president and Dennis Pereira, the past president

Executive committee members: Adeline Rodricks, Albert Lobo, Angelina Cecilia Jude, Benedicta Veigas, Derick Vincent Saldanha, Frank Coelho, Dr Fulton D’Souza, Josfred Fernandes, Leo Sequeira, Rosy D’Souza, Seema, Sunil Cutinho and Veronica.

Alwyn Mendonca, the newly-elected president who is also the founder member of the association, in his welcome speech expressed his heartfelt gratitude in being elected the president and asked his fellow members for their guidance and support in carrying out his duties as an able administrator. Charles Menezes, the newly elected secretary proposed the vote of thanks.
 
Fr Faustine Lobo congratulated the newly-elected office-bearers and said that the success of an association depends on its members and every member should contribute his/her capacity with a give-and-take attitude.

During the AGM, Justice of the High Court, Justice Benedict Victor Pinto was felicitated by Aida D’Cunha, the immediate past president of BKCS Koramangala. As Menderline Machado, the cultural secretary, read out his profile, Maria Martis, accompanied her husband to the dais. Justice B V Pinto urged the audience to be good leaders and render selfless service to the society. Vijetha Pinky Lobo, principal civil judge, judicial magistrate, Kolar, Valerian Fernandes, chairman, FKCA and Aida Margaret D’Cunha, vice-chairman, FKCA were also congratulated on the occasion.
 
BKCS Koramangala, formed in 1997, has rendered yeoman service to the society in general and the members in particular. In 2009, its members visited the old age home of the Little Sisters of the Poor and SWANTANA, a home for the mentally and physically challenged children. In November 2009, the members took part in the Kalanjali competition organized by KONCAB and won prizes in many events. In June 2010, they took part in the annual sports, cultural and food fest, Mangalore Maza, organized by FKCA and emerged as overall champions with 60 points by securing 8 gold medals, 5 silver and 5 bronze medals.
 
The Sangh has been fulfilling objectives for which it was set up and is looking forward to continue its journey in the future.