St. Joseph's Konkani Association, Mira Road
Mira Road Konkani Association inducted as St. Joseph's Konkani Association
News & Pics by Ancy Paladka
Mumbai, Sep 01: The known Mira Road Konkani Welfare Association is inducted with a new name St. Joseph's Konkani Association, Mira Road. The association that was performing its activities as a private association is now comes under St. Joseph's Church, Mira Road. The parish has large number of people of Mangalorean origin.
The induction ceremony was held during the mass on 30th September. Fr. Dominic Vas the new parish priest of Mira Road accepted the welcomed the association as a part of the church organisations. He also blessed the new office bearers during the mass. The members of the first committee of the newly inducted association are
Rev. Fr. Dominic Vas (Spiritual Director), John Crasta (President), Violet Mascarenhas (Vice President), Canute Menezes (Secretary), Diago Rodrigues (Asst Secretary), Lawrence Mathias (Treasurer), Arun Noronha (Asst Treasurer), Joy Paladka (Cultural Secretary), Helda Serrao, Celine Mendonca, Paul D'Souza and Calista Cardoza (members).
The cultural programme was also organised on the same day evening to mark the occasion and also to celebrate the Konkani Manyata Divas. Fr. Dominic Vas Presided over the function. Mr. Norbert Mascarenhas the administrator of St. Josephs school was the cheif guest. John Crasta, Canute Menezes, Lawrence Mathias and Joy Paladka were also present at the Dais.
Fr. Dominic Vas said that "Language, Culture and People are three important aspects in our life. If the primary education is given in our mother tongue then it is very easy to grasp any thing and it is very easy to learn any language in the world. Or else we end up learning no language perfectly. He also said that whatsoever effort we put to learn other languages we can not be perfect in that language unless it is our mother tongue. It is not possible to be as perfect as British while speaking English. Even we are master in English the British will not accept as Englishman. We will always remain as Konkani's."
"If we need to have our own identity then we need to preserve our culture, our traditions, our practices. If we forget our culture we lose our identity and there arises crisis" he said.
He also expressed his happiness that lots of awareness has come regarding Konkani among people. He also inaugurated the book "Amchim Kazaram" written by V. D'Silva Kanjurmarg during this occasion. Shri Joy Paladka gave key note address highlighting the importance of the programme.
The programme started with the prayer dance of Pearl DSouza. President John Crasta welcomed the gathering. Calist Carodoza gave Panpodd udok. Secretary Canute Mathias gave vote of thanks. School children presented beautiful dances for the meaningful Konkan songs. Felix D'Souza and his group presented hilarious skits. Manddo was presented by goans. There was also a Konkani drama "Problema Voir Problem" written by Claude DSouza Bendur and directed by Joy Paladka. Clement Lobo and Florine Mathias compared the programme beautifully