An undisputed leader of the Konkani community in Qatar
Daijiworld gets up, close and personal with Felix Lobo, Doha

Felix Lobo is the man behind the unity of Konkani community in Qatar.  He is the one who was instrumental in forming successful organizations like Konkani Culture Association and the one and only Mangalore Cricket Club.  Known to all community members in Qatar, this dynamic person plays a key role in the church activities of Doha parish, including the huge project of new Church building project of Doha.

He is also a down-to-earth, soft spoken, kind hearted man.  He has risen from scratches to glory solely due to his dedication, perseverance and prayers, he says.

Daijiworld’s  Correspondent became up, close and personal with Felix Lobo who was in Dubai recently, who told us about his childhood, his education, career, personal life and future plans.  Excerpts from their conversation:

Felix, you are a reputed personality among our community in Qatar.  You have done many things for Konkani as well as for our community.  Tell us from the beginning – about your parents, your childhood, education, career and your achievements.

My native place is Vittla.  We are fourteen children to our parents and I am the eighth among the siblings.  I did my schooling till 4th standard in Vittla itself, and studied till Secondary school in the Uppinangady orphanage, where Fr Albert D’Souza was the Correspondent of the organization at that period.  It is here that I discerned the true meaning of Konkani language and culture, religion, faith in God, true value of prayer.  Moreover, I must say that I realized the significance of values like charity, simplicity and hard work.  Also at this place, I acquired skills of humility, endurance and assertiveness.  I give full credit of my present status to my living and studying here.  I must state that I lived and grew here.   Fr Albert D’Souza is my inspiration.

After passing out his Secondary school, I came to Mangalore for the first time ever in my life, lived there for a couple of years and did my industrial training (ITI) course in Nanthoor.  Here, I came in contact with many personalities whom I still know and interact with.  Upon completing my vocational course in Mangalore 1976, I went to Delhi in search of a job and worked there for a year.

In 1976, I landed in Qatar.  Though initially I was lonely and reclusive, soon I made contacts with many Mangaloreans, especially after I started attending weekly Holy Masses.  I made friends with many and this is when I implanted ideas of uniting our then strewn community in this country. 

Soon I was lucky enough to get a job in the UN office as an Audio-visual Assistant and served this organization for five years.  My hard work, sincerity competence led me to take-up a senior post in the UN. Soon I got a job in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), grew in this organization, till I became an In-charge of my department in 1986.  I used to help lots of Mangaloreans who were in need of many kinds of help.  I organized many periodic family get-togethers in Doha to unite many Mangaloreans and be in contact with one another.

There were lots of events taking place in Qatar at that period of time but any Konkani programme. The stern desire within me to form a Konkani association resulted in Konkani Culture Association (KCA) in 1986.  I was joined by fifteen Konkani activists including Donny Lobo, Rocky Fernandes and CGS Takode, who had just landed in Qatar.  We organized many Konkani cultural events like Henry D’Souza Ni