Daijiworld Media Network - Mysuru
Mysuru, Nov 24: Karnataka home minister K J George inaugurated ‘Konkan Bhavan’, the multi-purpose convention hall at Vijayanagara in a splendid ceremony held on Sunday November 23. The Bishop of Mysuru Dr Thomas A Vazahapilly blessed the premises and conducted prayer session.
The convention hall has been built by Konkani Christian Association, Mysuru on a 12,000 sq ft area at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore.
Speaking after the inauguration, K J George said, "Although Christians lack majority in any electoral constituency in India, the community has a graceful presence due to their social, cultural and educational contribution to the country."
He further said, “Although I am a Christian from minority community, people of all faiths have reposed faith in me, by electing me four times to the assembly. It is because of their support I am a minister today in a prominent ministry.”
He also said although BJP is baying for his blood by targeting him on trivial issues, he has nothing to fear as he has done no wrong in his political career. "I have lived my life as a good Christian and never ever dreamt that I would be a minister someday," he added.
He recalled the contributions of Konkani Christian leaders like Michael Fernandes, Oscar Fernandes, Margaret Alva and Blasius D’Souza to politics and the society. George assured that the government would release a grant of Rs 50 lac to Konkani Christian Association, Mysuru.
Mangaluru City MLA J R Lobo stressed on the need for protecting Konkani language and culture and pass it to the next generation. He urged the parents to teach Konkani to their children.
M Jagannath Shenoi, managing partner of Ganesh Beedi works, Valerian D’Souza, former chairman of FKCA, Hemacharya, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld Weekly, Adrian D’Souza, MD, Deccan Group of Companies, Edward D’Souza, chairman, FKCA, Leonila Crasto, former municipal president, Kundapur were present as guests of honour.
In a unique display of solidarity, persons from three Konkani speaking communities, J R Lobo (Christian Konkani), M Jagannath Shenoi (GSB Konkani) and Jidda Mohammed Ali, representing Murudeshwer Navayath Konkani Association, cut the ribbon.
Hemacharya made a strong appeal to the home minster and the state government to exert pressure on the Sahitya Akademi to recognise the Konkani literature written in the state language, Kannada. He also made a particular mention about ‘Konkani Language Planning’ initiated by Jagotik Konkani Sanghotan and appealed to the Konkani speaking people to submit the questionnaire made available in different forums including on www.daijiworld.com.
"Only when we display our unity, can we be sure about our victory," he said.
Prior to the inaugural ceremony, all the members concelebrated a thanksgiving holy Mass at the hall. Fr Desmond Rebello was the main celebrant accompanied by 8 other priests from different congregations. Karnataka Carmelite Provincial now based in Goa, Fr Archibald Gonsalves presented a graceful homily interlinking one's life, Konkani language and the grace of Christ the King, making a special reference to the feast celebrated by the church on the day.
The Youth Band Group, YTD from Mangalore entertained the gathering with Konkani songs and Baila. More than one thousand members took part in the ceremony and the solidarity lunch arranged at the hall.
About Konkani Christian Association
The association with around 100 Konkani Christians based in Mysuru came into existence on July 26, 1981 with J I D’Mello being its first president and Valerian D’Souza (Vally Vagga) as secretary.
The prime objective of the association was to protect, preserve, promote and develop the Konkani language, its literature, culture and anything relevant to Konkani. They also took upsocial causes by reaching out to the needs of poor and unprivileged people across all the religions.
In the year 1992 due to the efforts of founding members, MUDA allotted a site measuring 24 X40 meters to build a community centre.
The team led by the present president Gracian Rodrigues, gen secretary John William D’Souza and Vincent Crasta which is in office for a record time of 11 years, took upon themselves the task of spear heading the association, and made building of a multi purpose community hall their prime mission.
Due to their farsighted dream, and continuous efforts, a spectacular hall was built after 12 years. While the State government led by BJP granted Rs 50 lac from the minority development fund towards this project, the members themselves contributed and some of them pledged the funds on investment/interest basis.
KCA Mysuru has been certified as the ‘Best Konkani Association’ by Mandd Sobhann and felicitated by the President of India on December 9, 2010.
Gracian Rodrigues during his welcome address informed that although the dream of building a hall has become reality, the finances raised in meeting the building cost are yet to be realised. He made a personal appeal to the contribution of Konkani loving people scattered worldwide to contribute generously so that the aspirations of a thousand plus members are fructified.
For more details, visit www.kcamysore.com.