Media Release
Bengaluru, Sep 13: Kanara Catholic Association, on Sunday, September 10, honoured the esteemed judge, justice John Michael D’Cunha, at its annual general body meeting.
Justice D’Cunha was the High Court Judge that convicted the late chief minister of Tamilnadu, J Jayalalitha on September 27, 2014, on her disappropriate assets.
In his keynote speech, Justice D’Cunha stated that the Mangalurean catholics distinguished themselves as individuals, but were not very well known as a group. He stressed the importance of bringing in the youth of the community into the group and its activities to ensure that organisations like the KCA continue to be strengthened and contribute positively to the society.
Formed in 1955, KCA is a 62 year old association. The KCA which involves in a lot of social and charitable events for catholics from the Kanara region recently completed a state-of-the-art building in Kalyan Nagar called Konkan Samudai Bhavan from donations and contributions from its members, ranging from well known member Ronald Colaco, who recently won the Times NRI Award to Leslie Fernandes, former owner of Dockendale shipping, a worldwide shipping conglomerate.
Errol Fernandes, honorary president of KCA said, the Konkan Samudai Bhavan also has a section of subsidised accommodation for catholic youth who come to Bangalore in search of jobs, so they are successful in their endeavours.
The AGM was followed by a cultural programme and dance by members, curated by Marjori Texeira, honorary vice president of KCA.
Prior to the AGM, the annual Monti Fest Mass was celebrated with solemnity as is done every year.
Harriette Rebello, honorary secretary of KCA stated that KCA today has over 1,800 members, many being second generation members who joined after their parents.
Dr Joseph Rasquinha, committee member stated that one of the initiatives that KCA has done for their members is to add an app which will not only connect members, but also include an aggregator who will inform members of any discounts on the Indian market in travel, groceries, home and kitchen, jewellery and other areas.
The AGM also elected a new honorary committee consisting of Errol Fernandes as president, Marjorie Texeira, as vice president, Harriette Rebello, as secretary, Rowan Pais, joint secretary, Ajay Fernandes, as treasurer, Adrian Fernandes, as joint treasurer, and committee members Hilma Roach, Clemence D’Silva, Palini Pinto, Roshan Menezes, Dr Joel Sequeira, David Saldanha, Sunil Coutinho, Jane Pinto, Maxim Lobo, Shawn D’Sa, Viren Peres, Ivan Pinto, Neha Menezes, Lavina Pinto and Rohan D’Souza. Dr Allan Pinto completed the committee as immediate past president.
Alvin Mendonca is the committee member designated for Khobar, Nigel Colaco for Konkan Samudai Bhavan, which he has been handling with sterling capacity, and Dr Joseph Rasquinha for technology.