New Delhi: Kanara Cultural Association (KCA) to celebrate Golden Jubilee

Media Release

New Delhi, 03 Nov 2016: Kanara Cultural Association (KCA) Delhi which was established in 1966 celebrates its Golden Jubilee on November 12, 2016. The celebration will be held at Diocesan Community Hall, 1 Ashoka Road, New Delhi. The programme will include a thanks giving prayer service in Konkani and cultural programme in which KCA founder members, former Presidents of KCA will be honoured and KCA Golden Jubilee Souvenir will be released.

 

KCA President- Mrs. Lydia Almeida

 

Golden Jubilee Invitation

 

KCA executive committee headed by Mrs. Lydia Almeida has extended cordial invitation to: i) all present and former KCA members (settled in India and abroad), ii) Konkani artists and organizations promoting Konkani language and culture in India and abroad.

 

KCA  as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations has taken up two initiatives- i) KCA Higher Education Fund to provide scholarships to the needy  and ii)  Building Fund  that aims to have an office space for KCA  in the national capital of India New Delhi. KCA  appeals for support to its Golden Jubilee initiatives.

 

Contributions can be sent to: Account Name: KANARA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION DELHI; S/B/A/C No: 438255088; IFSC CODE: IDIB 000N022; MICR CODE-11001909; Bank Name: Indian Bank, New Delhi Main, G-41, CANNUGHT PLACE, NEW DELHI, PH: 011-23712158; 23712162 Email: lydiaalmeida2@gmail.com

 

During the last 50 years KCA has been successful in uniting Konkani speaking people of coastal region of Karnataka under one association in Delhi, the national capital of India and national capital region. In a distant place from “Mai Gaon” in Delhi, KCA has provided a sense of community home, and local mooring’s. In a calendar year, KCA conducts four to five programmes. All expenses of these programmes are met by contributions by KCA members. In addition, KCA has supported Konkani language programmes in Delhi and KCA platform has been used regularly for Konkani language programmes by Konkani artists from different parts of India. As a registered association KCA accounts are audited and elections to KCA Executive Committee and Area Representatives, are conducted regularly as per Articles of KCA’s Memorandum of Association. The present KCA Executive Committee was elected in September 2015.

 

KCA’s Present Executive Comittee

 

KCA Office Bearers

YEAR  PRESIDENT  SECRETARY  Spiritual Director
1962/6  J.M. D’Souza  L.W. Lewis  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1966  L.W Lewis   Maxim Sequeira  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1971  A.S. Pinto   Michael Veigas  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1974  F.T.R Colaco  Stanly Gonsalves  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1977  A.J.F D’Souza  Hero Vas   Fr. Victor D’Souza
1978  Vivian JF Noronha  Raphael S’Souza  Fr. Valentine D’Silva
1980  Niranjan Alva  Martin Pinto  Fr. Vincent M. Concessao
1981  L.W. Lewis  Martin Pinto  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1982  Hugh Pinto  Raphael D’Souza  Fr. Valentine D’Silva
1983  Hugh Pinto  Michael Suares  Fr. Valentine D’Silva
1985  M.L.T Fernandes  Michael Suares  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1987  Ms. Ezme Vas  Raphael D’Souza  Fr. Valentine D’Silva
1988  Mr.Vivian JF Noronha Joselyn Martins  Fr. Vincent Concessao
1990  Maxwell Pereira  Patrick Rodrigues  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1992  VJF Noronha  Patrick Rodrigues  Fr. Valentine D’Silva
1993  Martin Pinto  Patrick Rodrigues  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1996  Martin Pinto  Saturine Mathias  Fr. Victor D’Souza
1997  Simon Lobo  Saturine Mathias  Fr. John Noronha
1998  J.F Lobo   Eric D’Souza  Fr. John Noronha
2000  J.F Lob o   Irene D’Souza  Fr. Donal De’Souza
2001  J.F Lobo   Irene D’Souza  Fr. Vijay Baretto
2003  Irene D’Souza  Lancy Lobo  Fr. Henry Dsouza
2006  Martin Pinto  Wilfred D’Souza  Fr. Henry D’Souza
2007  Irene D’Souza  Dorthy Pereira  Fr. Alwyn D’Souza
2009  Vincent Menezes  Irene D’Souza   Fr. Wilfred D’Souza
2010  Vincent Menezes  Helen Lobo  Fr. Chetan Machado
2013  Elias Pinto   Prashanth D’Souza  Fr. Chetan Machado
2015  Lydia Almeida  Praveen DSouza  Fr. Vincent Crasta

 

KCA Journey 1966 to 2016: Golden Memories:

KCA’s five decade old history in the capital of India is impressive. It is said the desire to sing “Sakkad Sangatha Melaya” to celebrate Montiche Fest and to have a community meal with “ Nove” was the binding and the moving force that led to the formation of KCA, something which is very common and unites the Kanarites in any part of world even now. As a matter of fact the broad based  cultural association of Kanara Catholics  came into being in the 1960’s (1962-66) after settling issues such as ‘no economic status will be considered, all Kanarite Catholics, Konkani and Konkani lovers will be entitled for the membership of K.C.A. 

 

In the formative  phase KCA was fortunate to have  active help and guidance of the late Archbishop of Delhi, Most Rev Joseph Fernandes. It was he who gave a call to all the Kanarites of Delhi to a meeting which was held  on Saturday 12 February 1966 in the hall of Convent of Jesus and Mary (This date, according to Fr. Victor D’Souza “can be taken as the ‘Birth Day of KCA and this 1st Assembly formed the first Executive Body”). Around 70 people were present for the meeting. The late Archbishop stressed the need for creating an Association with a view to uniting the Kanarites and to keep alive in their minds various social and cultural activities with traditional fervor. His proposal was wholeheartedly accepted and the Association was formed immediately by enrolling all present at the meeting as members of the Association.

 

KCA First Spiritual Director

 

KCA Founding Members

The late Archbishop Most Rev Joseph Fernandes consented to be the Patron of the Association. The late Mr. J.M. D’Souza, then General Manager of Times of India, Delhi was elected as the first president and Mr. L.W. Lewis as the first Secretary of the Association. Rev. Fr. Victor D’Souza was appointed as the Spiritual Director. Mr. J.M. D’Souza remained President till 1966, where after Mr. L.W. Lewis succeeded him and Mr. Maxim Sequeira became the Secretary.

 

KCA flowers

 

 

KCA Welcomes

 

 

KCA Pillars

 

 

KCA Audience

 

In 1971 Mr. A.S. Pinto was elected President with Mr. Michael Vegas as Secretary. In 1974 Mr. F.T.R Colaco became President with Mr. Stanley Gonsalves as Secretary, and in 1977 Mr. A.J.F D’Souza was elected President with Rev. Fr. Victor D’Souza continuing as Spiritual Director. Mr. Hero Vaz as Secretary, in 1978 Mr. Vivian J.F. Noronha became President and Mr. Raphael D’Souza the Secretary, with Rev. Fr. Valentine D’Silva as the Spiritual Director. In 1980 Mr. Niranjan Alva was President, Mr. Martin Pinto the Secretary, with Rev Fr. Vincent Concessao the Spiritual Director. In 1981 Mr. L.W. Lewis was again President, Mr. Martin Pinto the Secretary and Rev Fr. Victor D’Souza, again the Spiritual Director. During this period KCA promoted in-house talent and some of the popular dramas performed were ‘Shintri Simaon’, ‘Dr.Gaspar’ and ‘Ek chedho sadesaat chedvan’. These plays were well attended and highly appreciated by the audience.

 

Konkani Artists performing in Delhi

 

 

KCA Honours Konkani Artists

 

In 1982 Mr. Hugh Pinto became the President, Mr. Raphael D’Souza the Secretary, with Rev Fr. Valentine D’Silva as spiritual director. Mr. Hugh Pinto was re-elected the President the next year 1983, while Mr. Michael Suares took over as Secretary. It was then decided that the same committee would continue for a term of two years, so that there would be continuity in the running of the KCA for a longer period. There was an important change at this stage in the aims and ideals of the KCA. Members began to see the organization as not only a social unit, but also a unit that would help the needy members. A Special Education Fund was set up which was to be registered and made into a recognized fund to help those members who deserved such help. In a fundraising drive, a modest sum was collected for the purpose and a beginning was made.

 

KCA singing

 

In 1985, Mr. M.L.T Fernandes was elected President for a two year term with Mr. Michael Suares, as Secretary and Fr. Victor D’Souza as the Spiritual Director. In 1987 Ms. Esmi Vaz took over the reins of the Association with Mr. Raphael D’Souza as Secretary and Fr. Valentine D’Silva as the Spiritual Director. In 1988 Mr. V.J.F Noronha became the President, Joselyn Martins the Secretary and Rev. Fr. Vincent Concessao was elected as Spiritual Director. In 1989 Building Fund and General Fund was created. Mr. Harry Sequeira and others helped from outside the committee. Attempts were made to frame the constitution, which was unanimously adopted at the AGBM held on Sept 9, 1990. In 1990 Kanara Catholic Association became Kanara Cultural Association. The year 1991 to 1992 marked a major achievement.  KCA was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 wide no S/23363 dated 17th September 1992 by the committee headed by Mr. Maxwell Pereira (former President KCA). The year 1991-1992 was also witnessed another landmark. Konkani was recognized as one of the national languages, taking its place in the 8th Schedule of our country’s Constitution. From 1990 onwards KCA focused more on cultural activities and emerged as a platform for Konkani programs for Konkani speaking people of Delhi. During this period KCA hosted musical nites such as ‘Wilfy nite’ by Wify Rebimbus and ‘Bovndi’ by Eric Ozario. This was held at Talkatora stadium on 23rd September 1995. This event witnessed a huge participation of five thousand people.

 

KCA acting

 

Some of the KCA members became prominent during this time in political, administrative, academic, corporate and religious fields. Mr. Oscar Fernandes and Mrs. Margaret Alva became Members of Parliament. (Mr. Oscar became M.P. in 1980 and continues as a M.P. and patron of KCA till date) KCA felicitated all the Parliamentarians from Kanara on 10th August 1991. KCA also celebrated the joy of its members becoming bishops/archbishops viz., Most Rev. Vincent Concessao, Most Rev. Henry D’Souza and Most Rev. Ignatius Mascarenhas. KCA felicitated academicians, administrators and Konkani Artists.

 

KCA Traditional Welcome

 

From 2000 onwards composition of KCA members were not only limited to national capital, Delhi but also expanded to National Capital Region (NCR) which included Faridabad, Noida and Gurgaon. KCA leadership also held by third generation Kanarites. Some were born and brought up in Delhi and many came from coastal Karnataka and became members. KCA also faced dilemma to conduct its meetings and events only in Konkani or a mix of Konkani- English.  As its history shows the inclination is more of Konkani. This was also the period that saw in the National Capital Region the emergence of Konkani prayer groups and regular retreats in Konkani. These are encouraged by KCA and well attended.

 

Vovllig Pauli

 

 

Another, milestone in the history of KCA is in 2012, on 10th December KCA celebrated Golden Jubilee of three of its eminent members namely Most Rev. Vincent Concessao, Fr. Victor D’Souza and Fr. Paul Serrao. In recent years, Delhi KCA platform has been sought by many Konkani artists and groups from Mangalore, Bombay and Goa. Events like ‘Vovlig’ promotional programme at Constitutional club, which was attended by Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi ‘Da Upades’ to promote  Konkani, Melwyn Peris Nite in 2014 and in 2016 ‘Mhataro Chorbela’ came to Delhi and performed. Konkani movie ‘Paadri’ was screened for Kanarites in 2006. KCA members felt proud when KCA was awarded by Smt. Pratibha Patil, President of India in Mangalore for the contribution of KCA to promote Konkani in Delhi. Mr. Vincent Menezes, KCA President, received the award.

 

KCA Awarded  For Promoting Konkani in Delhi

 

Kanara Cultural Association, conducts its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of September during the Monthi Fest. The election to KCA office bearers are held during the AGM. KCA also organizes other activities like Requiem Mass for the departed members of KCA in November, the Christmas tree and Annual Picnic, cultural activities etc. During all these activities, children are entertained with games and competition and are rewarded with prizes. KCA also gives importance to the weaker sections among the families and poor children with financial help. Every child who scores 75% and above marks in the annual examination is recognized by KCA and is given an award.

 

KCA is indebted in a special way for all its office bearers and spiritual directors and members who actively worked for the growth of this association in one way or the other during last five decades. KCA recognizes with thanks the selfless services and collaboration given by its members.

 

Growing KCA

 

KCA recognises your service

 

KCA Promotes Konkani

 

KCA Honours Eminent Kanarites

 

KCA Strength

 

KCA Planners

 

KCA Grateful to Spiritual Directors

 

KCA Honours

 

Serving KCA dishes

 

We are watching

 

KCA Spiritual Director preaches

 

Young KCA

 

KCA encourages children

 

KCA Gentlemen

 

KCA Ladies

 

KCA Dances

 

KCA Religious

 

 

Enjoying and walking with KCA

 

 

KCA Towards New Horizon

 

KCA 2016 and Beyond: 

KCA  is conscious that  Konkani speaking people are a microscopic minority in the capital of India. In recent years the profile of KCA members has also changed due to transfer, retirement and migration. “ As of now K.C.A. holds a place of pride among other associations of Karnataka in Delhi. An added advantage of KCA members, is that, most of them are familiar with the  coastal culture and also know coastal languages other than Konkani.  This advantage makes  them desired by other linguistic associations  in Delhi. As KCA journey’s towards a new horizon, KCA aims to emerge as a vibrant platform to celebrate Kanara culture in Delhi, the national capital of India.