Kuwait Gets 'Vovlik' for World Konkani Convention
by Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady
Pics by Paul Aranha
Daijiworld Media Network – Kuwait (SP)
Kuwait, Oct 11: Leaders of Mandd Sobhann are presently in the Gulf to invite Konkani-speaking people of the region to attend the historic and first-ever World Konkani Cultural Convention (WKCC) to be held at Kalangann, Mangalore, from Nov 25, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010.
In this respect, a programme was organised under the leadership of local community leaders, Pascal Pinto and Rudy Dsouza Omzoor, at the conference hall of Kuwait Continental Hotel on Saturday October 9.
Fr Harry D'Souza, parish priest of Ahmadiya parish, invoked the blessings of the Almighty. Pascal Pinto welcomed the gathering.
Eric Ozario, Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann, under whose leadership the upcoming mega event is being organised, briefed the audience about the achievements of Mandd Sobhann and the importance of holding the world convention. He requested the Konkani-speaking people residing in Kuwait to support the event by attending it in large numbers.
He also declared that two teams from Kuwait will participate in the cultural event being held in this connection, in December, 2010. Teams led by Rony D’Cunha and Warre, Wanish and Joy, have confirmed their participation.
NRI entrepreneur, chairman of the International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations, Ronald Colaco, who also happens to be the chairman of the reception committee of WKCC, urged the people to support this event financially, as the estimated cost of holding the said event is around Rs 3 crore. He said that no language can survive without the active support of those for whom it is the mother tongue, and impressed upon the need for them to extend large-hearted support to the event.
As a tradition, Pascal Pinto and Rudy D’Souza passed the said invitation, which they had received during curtain raiser event in Dubai on September 29, 2010, to the audience in 'pan-pod' tradition.
A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect for Konkani singer, Denis Peris, who passed away all of a sudden in Mangalore on Oct 9, 2010.
Stany Alvares, Mandd Sobhann co-ordinator, compered the event.
Many well-wishers and office-bearers, and members of various associations were among those who attended the event.
World Konkani Convention : Coverage