Media Release
Bengaluru, Jul 24: Kanara Catholic Association (KCA) Bangalore members from across the city and beyond gathered with celebratory joy at the Konkan Samudhai Bhavan on Sunday, July 20 to commemorate 70 years of the association’s thriving presence. The Platinum Jubilee was building up steam over recent weeks with the managing committee collaboratively bringing forward their A-game to make this a morning to remember.
With Karen Pais Prabhu, Dianney Lobo and Tina Alva registering guests who arrived in astounding punctuality, the buzz was palpable from the moment they entered the visually stunning hall, the floral decor aesthetically coordinated by Jane Pereira. The meet and greet was pulsating with wishes, greetings, old friends meeting – a melange of excitement and festivity, everyone at their ethnic best supported with tea and sumptuous snacks for company.
With the overall coordination of the event resting on the able shoulders of vice president Roshan Menezes and Lunita Pais D’Sa, the event kept to time and was demarcated into three segments: the formal felicitation, a thanksgiving service, and the cultural program followed by a specially curated Mangalorean lunch.
After the invocation prayer led by asst secretary Coreen D’Souza Fareed, KCA president Shanti Peres delivered her welcome note that highlighted the Mangalorean Catholic heritage, vision, history and leadership of the KCA as well as the leaps and bounds the Association achieved over seven decades. She took the opportunity to make specific mention of every member in her committee for their contribution. She warmly welcomed the chief guest Margaret Alva, former union minister & governor, Dr Peter Machado, archbishop of Bangalore, and also the luminous Past Presidents – Francis T R Colaso, DG & IGP (Retd), Philip Mathias, Dr Patricia Pinto, Bertha Fernandes, Vitus Pinto, Victor Menezes, Dr Alan Pinto, Errol Fernandes, Marjorie Texeira, Hilma Roach and Adrian D’Souza. She remembered the immense generosity of members like Dr Ronald Colaco, Nigel Colaco, Leslie Fernandes, Austin Roach, Errol Fernandes, Adrian D’Souza, and many other families who have contributed their funds, time and energy which ultimately culminated in the realization of KCA’s own address – the magnificent Konkan Samudhai Bhavan.
She also welcomed the surviving spouses of past presidents, and Manik awardees over the years. A special mention was made of KCA’s sister concern KonCab and the Konkan Welfare Trust, chairman Sylvester D’Souza, Nerry and Asha D’Silva. The present luminaries and stalwarts were felicitated with a shawl and commemorative Jubilee plaque for the legacy they have left as KCA inheritance.
Alva delivered her keynote address with congratulations to the association and also noting the trailblazing initiatives of the KCA alongside the impact of the diaspora. She blended her speech in English and Konkani with a fine balance of urgency to preserve the mother tongue as well as humoured the audience with inside stories and quips with warmth and grace. Past presidents, Adrian D’Souza and Errol Fernandes also shared pertinent thoughts of encouragement as well as foresight towards taking KCA to the next level going forward.
The KCA media team, Luvena Rangel, Rohan Pais and Jane Pereira, supported by Shanti, had burnt the midnight oil to issue a commemorative Jubilee souvenir. A limited print edition was released by Most Rev Dr Peter Machado, Alva and the past presidents. The issue, which will be circulated in soft format to all members, is a treasure trove of congratulatory messages, nostalgic recounts, and a visual delight as an album of vivid imagery indicating the growth trajectory of the KCA since 1955.
Prajwal Mathias guided the thanksgiving service which was initiated with a gospel reading by Fr Adrian Mascarenhas. This was followed by a profound message from the archbishop that was delivered in the language of the community, Konkani. Dr Peter Machado urged the community to support the Konkani Catholic youth to come forward in service – not just for the community, but in service to the country through active engagement towards the civil services. His message included a calm, but fervent hope for the KCA members and all its collective efforts to be a beacon of encouragement and fortitude. The Prayers of the Faithful were offered by committee members Rohan Pais, Jane Pereira, Reena Serrao and Dianney Lobo.
The service was elevated in thanksgiving and worship with the beautiful harmony of five-women choir: Savitha Gonsalves, Priya Gonsalves, Prajwal Mathias and Luvena Rangel supported by Veronica Medeira on the keyboard. The choir organized by Savitha included Konkani and English hymns that left a resounding imprint on everyone with their simplicity, melody and soul – with particular note to Argam Tuka Somia and Hallelujah in Konkani. The formal segments were sealed with the vote of thanks delivered with dignified grace and poise by secretary Palini Pinto.
The final segment of the day, the cultural program hosted by Luvena Rangel, was the colourful highlight that segued into the festive ambience of the gathering. The gaiety was heralded by the grace and agility of the enthusiastic Seniors of KCA – the Platinum Dancers coordinated and choreographed with utmost care by Bernadette Pinto to the tune of Wilfy Rebimbus. The piece ended with a flash mob joining them to ‘Beautiful Sunday’ with much encouragement and applause from the audience. The contemporary youth, The Hot & Hip troupe led by Naomi Rasquinha and Kavitha Rego raised the tempo with an energetic choreography to a Konkani, Tulu and Kannada medley showcasing the culture and heritage of Coastal Kanara where committee member Joannita Britto also joined in festive gaiety along with a KCA member. The segment was closed with a delightful song by 6-year-old Amelia Freya Crasta, dual twin performances by Olinda and Oliva Veigas and Coreen and Maureen – the D’Souza Siblings.
The very talented M&N duo held court with evergreen tunes for those who wanted to party while the rest proceeded to enjoy the scrumptious Mangalorean menu by Ivan Caterers that saw even more lunch table conversations, laughter, fellowship and bonding. Many thanks were extended to Lunita Pais D’Sa for curating the Jubilee Menu with Jeffry Crasta and Rohan Pais as her able supporters, as also treasurer Ajay Fernandes for overseeing the beverages and much more.
The LCD backdrop, with its rolling credits and gratitude to the generous event sponsors, was designed by Roshan, while the montage of photo memories was presented by Prajwal and recognized the constant support of KCA members towards the association’s activities. The partnership with the Catholic Club was also highlighted by the presence of president Jude Rajesh Ferrao and past president, Melville D’Souza.
The KCA’s 70th year celebrations brought together over three hundred KCA members with their families in a spirit of camaraderie and milestone celebration. The smiles, laughter and numerous notes of positive feedback are testament to the success of the event as well as a commendation of the eye to detail and exemplary work by the Managing Committee and their collaboration with the members as well. Every committee member contributed to the planning and execution – from sourcing vendors, reaching out to donors for sponsorship, following up with preparations, decor, practices and so much more. Shanti Peres’ Platinum Committee has made its mark in style.
The celebration would not have been possible without the generous donors and sponsors, the support and relationships with the community at large and the coming together of every member in the spirit of unity and joy to make the event a resounding success, KCA has acknowledged in a press release.