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New Delhi, Nov 1, 2016 : Kanara Cultural Association (KCA) Delhi which was established in 1966 will celebrate its golden jubilee on November 12. The celebration will be held at diocesan community hall, 1 Ashoka Road, New Delhi.

The programme will include a thanksgiving prayer service in Konkani and cultural programme in which KCA founder members, former presidents of KCA will be honoured and KCA Golden Jubilee Souvenir will be released.

KCA executive committee headed by Lydia Almeida has extended cordial invitation to all present and former KCA members and Konkani loving people.

KCA as part of its golden jubilee celebrations has taken up two initiatives- KCA Higher Education fund to provide scholarships to the needy and, Building fund that aims to have an office space for KCA in the national capital of India New Delhi.

During the last 50 years, KCA has been successful in uniting Konkani speaking people of coastal region of Karnataka under one association in Delhi, the national capital of India and national capital region. In a distant place from “Mai Gaon” in Delhi, KCA has provided a sense of community home, and local moorings.

In a calendar year, KCA conducts four to five programmes. All expenses of these programmes were met by contributions by KCA members. In addition, KCA has supported Konkani language programmes in Delhi and KCA platform has been used regularly for Konkani language programmes by Konkani artistes from different parts of India. As a registered association KCA accounts are audited and elections to KCA Executive Committee and area representatives are conducted regularly as per Articles of KCA’s memorandum of association. The present KCA executive committee was elected in September 2015.

KCA Journey from 1966 to 2016- Golden Memories

KCA’s five decade old history in the capital of India is impressive. It is said, the desire to sing ‘Sakkad Sangatha Mellya’ to celebrate Montiche Fest and to have a community meal with ‘Nove’ was the binding and the moving force that led to the formation of KCA, something which is very common and unites the Kanarites in any part of world even now. As a matter of fact, the broad based cultural association of Kanara Catholics came into being in the 1960s (1962-66) after settling issues such as ‘no economic status will be considered’. All Kanarite Catholics, Konkani and Konkani lovers will be entitled for the membership of KCA.

In the formative phase, KCA was fortunate to have active help and guidance of the late Archbishop of Delhi, Joseph Fernandes. It was he who gave a call to all the Kanarites of Delhi to a meeting which was held on Saturday 12 February 1966 in the hall of Convent of Jesus and Mary (This date, according to Fr Victor D’Souza ‘can be taken as the ‘Birth Day of KCA and this 1st Assembly formed the first Executive Body’). Around 70 people were present for the meeting. The late Archbishop stressed the need for creating an Association with a view to uniting the Kanarites and to keep alive in their minds various social and cultural activities with traditional fervour. His proposal was wholeheartedly accepted and the Association was formed immediately by enrolling all present at the meeting as members of the Association.

The late Archbishop Joseph Fernandes consented to be the patron of the Association. The late JM D’Souza, the then general manager of Times of India, Delhi was elected as the first president and LW Lewis as the first secretary of the Association. Fr Victor D’Souza was appointed as the spiritual director. JM D’Souza remained president till 1966, thereafter LW Lewis succeeded him and Maxim Sequeira became the secretary.

In 1971, AS Pinto was elected president with Michael Vegas as secretary. In 1974, FTR Colaco became president with Stanley Gonsalves as secretary and in 1977 AJF D’Souza was elected as president with Fr Victor D’Souza continuing as spiritual director and Hero Vaz as secretary. In 1978, Vivian JF Noronha became president and Raphael D’Souza the secretary, with Fr Valentine D’Silva as the spiritual director. In 1980 Niranjan Alva was president, Martin Pinto the secretary, with Fr Vincent Concessao the spiritual director. In 1981 LW Lewis was again elected as president, Martin Pinto the secretary and Fr Victor D’Souza, again the spiritual director. During this period KCA promoted in-house talent and some of the popular dramas performed were ‘Shintri Simaon’, ‘Dr Gaspar’ and ‘Ek chedho sadesaat chedvan’. These plays were well attended and highly appreciated by the audience.

In 1982, Hugh Pinto became the president, Raphael D’Souza the secretary, with Fr Valentine D’Silva as spiritual director. Hugh Pinto was re-elected the president the next year 1983, while Michael Suares took over as secretary. It was then decided that the same committee would continue for a term of two years, so that there would be continuity in the running of the KCA for a longer period. There was an important change at this stage in the aims and ideals of the KCA. Members began to see the organization as not only a social unit, but also a unit that would help the needy members. A Special Education Fund was set up which was to be registered and made into a recognized fund to help those members who deserved such help. In a fundraising drive, a modest sum was collected for the purpose and a beginning was made.

In 1985, MLT Fernandes was elected president for a two year term with Michael Suares, as secretary and Fr Victor D’Souza as the spiritual director. In 1987, Esmi Vaz took over the reins of the association with Raphael D’Souza as secretary and Fr Valentine D’Silva as the spiritual director. In 1988, VJF Noronha became the president, Joselyn Martins the secretary and Fr Vincent Concessao was elected as spiritual director. In 1989, Building Fund and General Fund were established. Harry Sequeira and others helped from outside the committee. Attempts were made to frame the constitution, which was unanimously adopted at the AGBM held on Sept 9, 1990.

In 1990, Kanara Catholic Association became Kanara Cultural Association. The year 1991 to 1992 marked a major achievement. KCA was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 wide no S/23363 dated 17th September 1992 by the committee headed by Maxwell Pereira (former President KCA). The year 1991-1992 also witnessed another landmark. Konkani was recognized as one of the national languages, taking its place in the 8th Schedule of our country’s Constitution. From 1990 onwards KCA focused more on cultural activities and emerged as a platform for Konkani programs for Konkani speaking people of Delhi. During this period KCA hosted musical nites such as ‘Wilfy nite’ by Wilfy Rebimbus and ‘Bovndi’ by Eric Ozario. This was held at Talkatora stadium on September 23, 1995. This event witnessed a huge participation of five thousand people.

Some of the KCA members became prominent during this time in political, administrative, academic, corporate and religious fields. Oscar Fernandes and Margaret Alva became Members of Parliament. (Oscar became MP in 1980 and continues as a MP and patron of KCA till date) KCA felicitated all the Parliamentarians from Kanara on August 10, 1991. KCA also celebrated the joy of its members becoming bishops/archbishops viz., Most Rev Vincent Concessao, Most Rev Henry D’Souza and Most Rev Ignatius Mascarenhas. KCA felicitated academicians, administrators and Konkani artists.

From 2000 onwards composition of KCA members were not only limited to national capital, Delhi but also expanded to National Capital Region (NCR) which included Faridabad, Noida and Gurgaon. KCA leadership was also held by third generation Kanarites. Some were born and brought up in Delhi and many came from coastal Karnataka and became members. KCA also faced dilemma to conduct its meetings and events only in Konkani or a mix of Konkani- English. As its history shows the inclination is more of Konkani. This was also the period that saw in the National Capital Region the emergence of Konkani prayer groups and regular retreats in Konkani. These are encouraged by KCA and well attended.

Another, milestone in the history of KCA is in 2012. On December 10, 2012, KCA celebrated golden jubilee of three of its eminent members namely Fr Vincent Concessao, Fr Victor D’Souza and Fr Paul Serrao. In recent years, Delhi KCA platform has been sought by many Konkani artists and groups from Mangalore, Bombay and Goa. Events like ‘Vovlig’ promotional programme at Constitutional club, which was attended by Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi ‘Da Upades’ to promote Konkani, Melwyn Peris Nite in 2014 and in 2016 ‘Matharo Charbela’ came to Delhi and performed. Konkani movie ‘Paadri’ was screened for Kanarites in 2006. KCA members felt proud when KCA was awarded by Pratibha Patil, President of India in Mangalore for the contribution of KCA to promote Konkani in Delhi. Vincent Menezes, KCA president, received the award.

Kanara Cultural Association conducts its annual general meeting (AGM) in the month of September during the Monthi Fest. The election to KCA office bearers are held during the AGM. KCA also organizes other activities like Requiem Mass for the departed members of KCA in November, the Christmas tree and Annual Picnic, cultural activities etc. During all these activities, children are entertained with games and competition and are rewarded with prizes. KCA also gives importance to the weaker sections among the families and poor children with financial help. Every child who scores 75% and above marks in the annual examination is recognized by KCA and is given an award.

KCA is indebted in a special way for all its office bearers and spiritual directors and members who actively worked for the growth of this association in one way or the other during last five decades. KCA recognizes with thanks the selfless services and collaboration given by its members.

KCA 2016 and beyond:

KCA is conscious that Konkani speaking people are a microscopic minority in the capital of India. In recent years the profile of KCA members has also changed due to transfer, retirement and migration. As of now, KCA holds a place of pride among other associations of Karnataka in Delhi. An added advantage of KCA members, is that, most of them are familiar with the coastal culture and also know coastal languages other than Konkani. This advantage makes them desired by other linguistic associations in Delhi. As KCA journey’s towards a new horizon, KCA aims to emerge as a vibrant platform to celebrate Kanara culture in Delhi, the national capital of India.