Media Release
Abu Dhabi, Mar 18: With a sincere spirit to serve the community, the members of Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) came together to elect a new team of office bearers at the Annual General Meeting held on March 5.
Honorary president Leo Rodrigues, honorary secretary Claudia Lydia Lobo, and honorary treasurer Franklin D’Cunha, were elected to lead the organization.
Leo Rodrigues was re-elected as the president of KCO for a second term consecutively after successfully steering the KCO Pearl Jubilee celebrations - 2025 to a grand success. Leo’s re-election affirms the trust KCO has in his visionary leadership to lead the organization forward, to strengthen its mission of serving the community and to guide the Pearl Jubilee Housing Project to a successful completion.
From L to R: Leo Rodrigues, Claudia Lydia Lobo and Franklin D’Cunha
In his address to the members, Leo Rodrigues, expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in him to lead the team for another term. He recognized the team effort of the members who were instrumental for the resounding success of the Pearl Jubilee year celebrations - 2025 and thanked them for their unrelenting support towards this end.
Leo Rodrigues is the founder president of KCO and served as president for twelve terms in the past. He is renowned for his philanthropic efforts both in the UAE and in the dioceses of Mangaluru, Udupi and Shivamogga. A prominent Mangalurean Konkani community leader, Leo has been successfully managing his business, Amigo Automotive Services Sole Proprietorship LLC, in Abu Dhabi for the past 36 years. As a devoted Mangalurean, he has consistently encouraged and supported various organizations, NGOs and fellow community members, regardless of caste, creed, language, or religion.
Claudia Lydia Lobo has been elected general secretary. A consistently enthusiastic and committed member, Claudia brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served in this position four times previously and held various other roles within KCO over the past years.
In 2025, Claudia distinguished herself as coordinator of the KCO Scholarship and Medical Aid Disbursement Committee, overseeing the process with exceptional care and ensuring fair distribution to deserving recipients. Simultaneously, she was instrumental in the success of KCO’s Pearl Jubilee celebrations. Claudia is widely known and fondly recognized for her selfless service and charismatic spirit within both the Abu Dhabi and wider UAE Konkani communities.
Professionally, she is a senior business development manager with over 25 years of expertise in the insurance industry. Her natural ability to connect with people, combined with her humble dedication to helping those in need, makes her a truly beloved member of the Konkani community.
Franklin D'Cunha is a prominent leader and a strong pillar of KCO. He is known for his generosity, remarkable organizational skills and calm efficiency. With a keen eye for details, he has been playing a pivotal role in ensuring the success of KCO events. Franklin has served KCO in the roles of treasurer and auditor in the past. He was coordinator for disbursement of KCO scholarships and medical aid for many terms. He has always ensured that support reaches out to the deserving beneficiaries in a fair and timely manner. Recognizing his abilities and commitment, most recently he was unanimously chosen as the honorary convener of the Pearl Jubilee celebrations. He shouldered this herculean responsibility with great passion and extraordinary dedication, delivering an event which was a phenomenal success.
Dolphy Vas, the election presiding officer, assisted by Chrysil Nonis D’Mello and Prasanna Pinto, conducted free and fair elections through secret ballot and announced the names of the elected members. The elected members in consultation with the KCO Advisory Committee, then nominated rest of the managing committee as follows:
Honorary vice president: Dolphy Vas
Honorary assistant general secretary: Lionel Saldanha
Honorary entertainment secretary: Sandya Vas
Honorary coordinator, scholarship and medical aid disbursement: Vivek Serrao
Honorary sports secretary: Sebastian Pais
Honorary media coordinator: Inez D’Cunha
Honorary auditor: Noel Fernandes
Honorary KCO Trust advisor: CA Amitha Costa
Honorary advisor: Jason Correa
Konkani Cultural Organization was founded in Abu Dhabi 30 years ago by a group of like-minded Mangalureans under the capable leadership of Leo Rodrigues. It has stayed committed to its mission of ‘Preserving Culture and Improving Lives’. The organization continues to be mindful of the evolving needs of the community and actively undertakes initiatives that support and uplift the needy. It disburses scholarships to deserving students and generously helps people seeking medical aid. It has also helped several NGOs and institutions in Mangaluru who are associated with various social causes and helping people in need.
KCO has also served as a platform to promote Konkani culture and values in the UAE and has encouraged numerous artists from back home and within the UAE by providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents.
Together with its members, the newly elected committee looks forward to continuing its service to the community with even greater commitment in the coming year to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.