H R Alva

Kuwait, Nov 18: While managing associations have its own challenges, Kuwait Pangla Association (KPA) has achieved a commendable fete of completing 25 years.

KPA, the oldest parish based association in Kuwait is celebrating silver jubilee programme ‘Rupyothsav’ which will be held on November 23, 2018 with a mega musical event titled ‘Musical Fiesta’, a musical symphony by ‘O..La..Re…’ team from Mangaluru, at Sabha Al Salem Theatre, Kuwait University, Khaldiya at 4 pm.

The history behind KPA’s formation

With discoveries of oil reserves across the Middle East, employment opportunities were created and many Indians started moving to gulf. Kuwait was one among such countries, rather one can say it was the most sought after destination.

According to the Indian ministry of external affairs, there are over 900,000 Indians in Kuwait. Among them, many people belonging to Pangla Parish of South Canara (Dakshina Kannada) district and Mangaluru Diocese (now Udupi District and Diocese) moved to Kuwait in search of greener pastures and thereby earning their livelihood and contributing to the economy of their motherland.

However, the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990 by Iraq, led to Iraq–Kuwait war, forcing about half of the Kuwaiti population and several thousands of foreign nationals to flee the country. In this process, along with other Indians almost all Pangalites returned to their motherland.

The Liberation of Kuwait was a U.S. led military operation to retake Kuwait from Iraq after the massive air campaign, from 24 to 28 February 1991.

After the return of evacuee Pangalites to Kuwait, they felt the need to be in touch with one another and thus they got united under the banner of ‘Kuwait Pangla Association’ (KPA) with a motive to unite all Pangalites working and living in Kuwait, to help each other and to help the native parish and people of Pangla and thus to demonstrate their love and affection towards their motherland.

Albert Quadras, one of the advisors of KPA and also the ex-public relations officer, wrote in the ‘Panglacho Prakas’ the bulletin of Pangla Parish, “the need for unity to help the construction of Parish ‘Sabha Bhavan’ at Pangla under the leadership of Parish Priest Fr. J. P. Tauro those days, and the constant write-ups that appeared in the Parish bulletin ‘Panglacho Prakas’ about the Pangalites in Kuwait before and after the Iraqi invasion had also paved the way to establish an association in Kuwait" (Easter issue-3 April 1994. Pages 19 to 21).

Edward Mendonca, the founder public relations officer of KPA too wrote several times in ‘Panglacho Prakas’ about KPA activities (In the Udupi region – now Udupi Diocese). ‘Pangalacho Prakas’ is the first ever quarterly parish bulletin which was started in September 1988 by writer- HR Alva- and he edited this magazine till April 1994.

This bulletin has published not only about KPA but about the Pangalite Associations of other Middle East countries and Mumbai too. This writer was also the secretary of Pangla Parish Council from1991 to 1994 and vice –president from 1994 to January 1998).

As per the opinion of people residing since the last four decades in Kuwait and in the Gulf region, KPA is the first ever Parish level Association to start and is still functioning not only in Kuwait but in the whole of Middle East. After 2 years of the establishment of KPA, Shirva parishioners residing in Kuwait established their association (SWAK) and presently almost all parishes of Udupi Diocese have their associations. Naming a few of them - Pamboor, Belman, Belle, Kanajar, Bramhavar and other parishes. (There is at least one Varado level –Kundapur Varado - association also functioning).

There are no restrictions by Kuwaiti Government to run any Catholic association. But special permission is required for any kind of activities and celebrations in public and outdoor places. Associations can be registered under the Indian Embassy provided they meet certain criteria (like having at least 500 members etc).

KPA – the founding team

The year was 1993. Two of the dynamic Pangalites youth living in Kuwait - Fredrick Quadras and Maurice D’Mello along with others took initiative in uniting Pangalites with the intention of forming an association. The first meeting was held at the residence of Maurice D’Mello at Shaab-Kuwait City on 29th August 1993, and was attended by10 Pangalites. They were Maurice D’Mello, Fredrick Quadras, Edward Mendonca, Elias Mendonca, Albert Quadras, Andrew Lobo, Inas D’Mello, Rudolph D’Mello, Jerry D’Souza and Francis Pinto. In this meeting attended by the above founder members, there shaped the idea to start ‘Kuwait Pangla Association’ (KPA) and the rest is history.

Maurice D’Mello was the Founder President and was responsible for the strong foundation of KPA. Fredrick Quadras took the responsibility of secretary (thereafter President for many years in different tenures and he still is a strong pillar of KPA as advisor) and the other office-bearers were - Treasurer: Elias Mendonca, Public Relations Officer: Edward Mendonca, Advisors: Joachim Mathias and Albert Quadras.

In the first year itself, there were 57 members. Meetings were held at the residence of Maurice D’Mello. Apart from the above mentioned, a few Pangalites including Eric Alban Rodrigues, D’Mello Brothers and many others too contributed in the functioning of KPA in the initial years.

Service for themselves and to the parish by KPA

As Albert Quadras wrote in one of the issues of the ‘Panglacho Prakas’ – “…..within 3 months of the formation of KPA it collected and donated Rs. 1,10,000/- for the ‘Sabha Bhavan’ complex, financial assistance of Rs.10,000/- to a member who returned to native due to ill health. As KPA is a parish based association it has supported many projects of Pangla parish and its educational institutions including Rs. 1 lac for gymnasium project of the parish, etc. It has sponsored several issues of ‘Panglacho Prakas’ – the parish bulletin. In the first year itself - Nativity feast and Christmas were celebrated (1993) by KPA and the practice continued throughout. Till date, KPA is supporting the good causes of Pangla parish and neighborhood, including assistance to schools, scholarships to children, helping needy people, support to visiting priests and lay leaders and to whoever that approaches for financial assistance and support for their good causes.

Also, from then till today, KPA is working in the same spirit with conducting regular programmes and keeping mutual understanding among members. For this purpose, picnics, sports, cultural and other events are organized. Festivals like – Christmas, Easter, Nativity are celebrated. Extending helping hand to the projects and people of Pangla parish, encouraging students of Pangla parish by providing scholarships, incentives for meritorious students, and many more such activities are undertaken by KPA.

Office-bearers from the beginning till date

From its inception till today many have toiled hard for the betterment of KPA and to keep the mantle always glowing. Following list gives the details of office-bearers for the past 25 years:

Silver Jubilee year Managing Committee

The present managing committee was formed during the Annual General Body meeting held in February 2018 at Indian Public School, Salmiya Kuwait.

President: Naveen Monis

Vice president: Roshan Martis

Secretary: Arun Noronha

Treasurer: Manoj Rego

Joint secretary: Joylin Cornelio

Cultural secretary: Mario Wilson Cornelio

Public relations officer: Jerald Quadras

Immediate past president: Roshan Quadras

Advisors: Fredrick Quadras, Albert Quadras, Jerry D’Souza and Vivian Rodrigues

Committee members

George D'Souza, Herald Quadras, Anil Alva, Manoj Cardoza, Santosh Rodrigues, Joslin D'Souza, Nelson Monis, Pramila Monis, Leena Fernandes, Priya Cardoza, David Cardoza, Clara D’Mello.