Media Release

Abu Dhabi, Feb 7: Vivek Serrao hailing from Hirebyle Chikkamagaluru district has been re-elected as the 29th president of the Konkani’s Cultural Organization (KCO). The election was held during the Annual General Body Meeting that took place in Abu Dhabi on the January 28.

Vivek has been working in the UAE since the last 25 years and has been a member of the organization from the year 2000. Vivek has completed his master’s in business administration specializing in marketing and HR. In the past committees, he has worked in several capacities as a media coordinator, sports secretary, entertainment secretary, vice president and president. He was also a member of the KCO silver jubilee committee for the year 2020-21.

Vivek Serrao prior to this engagement with KCO has been a member of the YSM in India and Emirates Paradela UAE. With his diverse skills in oratory, compering, event management, sports and strong organizational development abilities, he is the perfect candidate to re-take the lead as president.

Sandhya Vas has been re-elected as the general secretary in the KCO. Sandya Vas along with her proficiency in the Konkani language, is a trained physiotherapist and is presently working for Corniche Hospital Abu Dhabi for over 15 years. She has been in UAE for the past 20 years and hails from Angelore parish, Mangaluru and residing in Kinnigoli. She is an excellent sports person and has led the KCO throwball team as the captain from the last few years. She has also previously worked as the vice president, sports secretary for KCO, assistant general secretary and general secretary in the previous years.

Noel Fernandes who has been residing in Abu Dhabi for more than three decades has been re-elected as the treasurer for the year 2024. Noel hails from Kirem parish in Mangaluru and has completed his master’s in business administration and is currently working as a general manager with international distribution establishment. He is an ardent sports and cultural lover. Noel is also a member of the Indian Business & Professional Group and an active member of toastmasters international, where he has held various offices in club and district levels.

Leena D’Souza the election officer conducted free and fair elections through secret ballot and announced the names of the elected members. The elected members in consultation with the senior members then nominated rest of their managing committee members as follows:

Vice President: Inez D’Cunha
Asst. General Secretary: Chrysil D’Mello
Entertainment Secretary: Jason Correa
Scholarship and Medical Aid Disbursement Coordinator: Frankline D’Cunha
Sports Secretary: Valerian Fernandes
Media Coordinator: Akshata Fernandes
Auditor: Amitha Costa
KCO Trust Advisor: CA Valerian Dalmaida
Advisory Committee members: Leo Rodrigues, Dolphy Vaz and CA Valerian Dalmaida

KCO’s completion of 29 years has been only a stepping-stone to success and popularity through the years. Through the onset the organization has stayed true to its values and has continued its involvement in various social, cultural, and religious activities, including the most recent extravagant event which was a tremendous success the ‘KCO Fiesta- 2023.

KCO has continued supporting the society through its scholarship and medical aid programmes in India and looks forward to hosting a few more events this year under its newly re-elected leadership.

During the AGM, the president Vivek Serrao thankfully expressed his gratitude to all the office bearers and committee members for their tremendous support during his tenure as president in 2023. In the one-year term as president Vivek governed the organization and strengthened the core by staying focused on the organizations mission and values. He assured the organization that he will continue to take charge with the same values and determination and take KCO to greater avenues with the support of the veterans.

ABOUT KCO

Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) is well known for its benevolent work in helping the needy and deserving students. KCO initiated several scholarships through Samanvaya of Mangaluru and been helping scores of people suffering with critical illnesses. KCO has been recognizing and supporting many NGO’s in Karnataka, India who are working with distressed, downtrodden and the needy within UAE and also in and around Dakshina Kannada and districts.

White Doves, Snehasadan, Jeevadhaan, Samanvaya, Saanidhya- Ganesh Seva Trust, Shanti Kiran Technical and Sneha Charitable Trust are the few names of NGOs though with KCO has provided socio-medical help to the needy in the past. KCO has been continuously sponsoring community marriages of underprivileged for the last few years.

With the enormous support from sponsors and benefactors KCO has managed to carry out their noble mission in India. It has also transformed itself as a mirror reflecting the culture, tradition and upholding the values of ancestors and has turned out to be a focal point for the Konkani community. In the coming year, the new committee looks forward towards reviving the socio-cultural activities and continue serving the society in a better way.