Report and Pics by Charles Gomes
for Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, June 26: A delegation of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations met chief minister of B S Yeddyurappa recently and  congratulated him for his party's  victory in the recently-held assembly elections and for being unanimously chosen as the Chief Minister.

Chairman of the federation Charles Gomes also submitted a memorandum on behalf of the federation, setting forth the following demands.

1) Chairmanship of Karnataka state Minority Commission should be rotated among all the minority communities, as against the present practice of selecting chairpersons for this body from a single minority community.

2)This policy should also be made applicable to Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation Limited.
 
3) Representation for the Christians in the Karnataka Public Service Commission.

4) Nomination of a member from the  Konkani Catholic Christian community for a seat in the Karnataka Legislative Council and induction in the state cabinet.

5) Representation to Christians in the state-level undertakings, boards and corporations

The federation, established  in 1998,  is  now  in  its 11th  year of existence, having in its fold 14 associations of Konkani Catholics from different localities of Bangalore apart from an association in Mysore. Many more associations in other parts of Bangalore and  different districts of the state are in the process of getting affiliated to the Federation.

The federation has made its strong  presence felt in the community for the past several years by launching people-friendly programmes like setting up free placements service cell, matrimonial cell, entrepreneurs forum and conducting of  free medical camps etc.The federation has also been helping the needy by conducting regular programmes to create awareness and focus attention on their problems besides interacting with the various authorities.

Federation general secretary Anil Rego, past president Valerian Fernandes, joint secretaries B V Pinto and Ida Sequeira, cultural secretary Aida D'cunha, media manager Nigel Fernandes and presidents of  member associations were present.