By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
Mumbai, Oct 26: The preliminary meeting of the metro’s committee for organizing the first-ever World Konkani Cultural Convention by Mangalore-based ‘Mandd Sobhann’, from November 25 to December 19, was held at Hotel Atithi banquet hall, Ville Parle (East), on Saturday October 23.
Albert W D’Souza, metro’s committee chief and chairman of Aldel Education Trust, presided over the meeting, on Saturday evening.
Fr Ramesh Bandhodkar, Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Henry Lobo, founder president Vincent Mathias, Harry Rebello and others were the specially-invited guests present on the occasion.
Mumbai committee felicitated Mand Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario and Joyce Ozario on the same occasion.
Albert D’Souza said that the contributions of Mandd Sobhann in promoting Konkani and its distinct culture worldwide has been significant, and should inspire the new generation of the community to do their service, in order to take the Konkani to greater heights in the future.
He commended ‘Mandd Sobhann’ for giving an opportunity to the metro’s committee to stage programmes during the World Konkani Cultural Convention. Albert D’Souza also urged the Konkans in the metro to take part in the convention in larger numbers.
Eric Ozario said that the convention aims at creating global recognition for Konkani. “The Konkani cultural extravaganza will further boost the popularity of Konkani and its distinct folklore worldwide”, he added.
Mandd Sobhann president Luvi J Pinto, and secretary Stany Alvares, were present on the dais.
The metro’s Konkani singers Henry D’ Souza, Victor Concesso, Anthony Tauro, Tony Martis, veteran poet J B Sequeira, Anthony Sequeira, veteran lawyer Pius Vaz, and Konkani music lovers were also present on the occasion.
Mandd Sobhann music troupe staged a Konkani musical concert and ‘Nach Sobhann’ staged folk dances as part of the cultural programme.
Clement Lobo welcomed the gathering while Stany Alvares compered the programme. Lawrence D’Souza Kamani proposed the vote of thanks.