FKCA Bangalore Announces Federation Day Awards
Rashmi Fernandes, Bangalore
Bangalore, Jan 15: The 7th annual awards of the Federation of Konkani
Catholic Association (FKCA), Bangalore were announced by its Chairman, Valerian
Fernandes. These awards will be presented to 3 eminent Konkani Catholic
personalities for their role in promotion of community service besides excelling
in their own professional field. These awards will be conferred at the
Federation Day celebrations at St Joseph’s Indian High School Grounds, Opp
Kanteerva Stadium, Bangalore on Sunday, 29th January, 2012. The function will
begin with a Konkani mass at 4:00 pm celebrated by His Excellency Most Rev Dr
Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore who will also preside over the function.
Sri D V Sadananda Gowda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka will be the Chief
Guest. The Guests of Honor will be Sri S Suresh Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Law
& Parliamentary Affairs, Urban Development, Government of Karnataka and Sri
Ronald Colaco, well-known Philanthropist and Chairman, International Federation
of Karnataka Christian Associations.
LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
A singer, performer, music composer, innovator, organizer, campaigner, trainer,
promoter, founder, all in one is none other than Eric Alexander Ozario.
He is a globally well known Konkani cultural activist. He has 18 albums to his
credit, over 800 shows and composed tunes for over 1000 songs. 62 year old Eric
is better known for his Mandd Sobhann, Bhakti Sobhann, Aangann Sobhann, Jeevan
Sobhann, Mattov Sobhann, Gumott Sobhann, Bhurgyanlem Sobhann, Pallnnya Sobhann,
Moga Sobhann, Nach Sobhann, Sangeet Sobhann, Bosnni, Dabazo, Sobhann Sanz,
Konkani Darshan, Baila experiment, Brass Band Concerts, etc.
He has successfully organized ‘Porob’, ‘Saanth’, Manddo Fest, Manddo Utsav,
World’s First Baila Show and Baila International.
The Konkani Nirantari organized by him has made an entry in the Guinness Book of
World Record as the longest singing marathon.
The highlight of all his achievements was the First World Konkani Cultural
Convention which went on for over 25 days and had the honor of the attendance of
the President of India.
Eric has campaigned for several social causes as well. Not many know that he has
taken up the crusade for protection of environment and fought for the rights of
laborers. He was responsible for introduction of Konkani language in the school
curriculum in Karnataka.
He is now putting in all his efforts towards “Jagotik Konkanni Songhotton” a
global organization with 126 associations from 13 countries.
His contribution towards establishing “Kalaangann”, a Konkani Heritage Centre is
laudable.
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD
The recipient of this award is 74 year old veteran Kannada writer, social worker
and environmentalist, Dr Na (Norbert) D’Souza of Shimoga. He has been
honored by the Central Literature Academy with the “Bala Sahithya” award for
children’s literature for the year 2011 on November 14, 2011 at Kolkatta for his
mini novel “Mulugadeya Oorige Banadavaru”.
He has to his credit various other prestigious awards like the Karnataka
Rajyotsava Award, Sandesha Sahitya Prashasti, Karnataka Sahitya Academy
Prashahti, Sha Mu Sha Prashasti, Katha Prashasti, to name a few.
He has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate for his literary works from
Kuvempu University.
He began writing in 1959 and his first novel “Banje Benki” depicted the
troublesome days of a little girl.
He has contributed immensely to Kannada literature during the last 3 decades
through 45 novels, 4 plays, 7 poetry books and 25 children’s novels, besides
various short stories. He has also raised several social issues through his
writings. For instance, “Dweepa” deals with the raging issue of building dams
and the displacement of natives. Many of his works have been translated into
Telugu, Malayalam, English, Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi and Konkani.
“Kadina Benki” and “Dweepa”, two of his popular novels have been made into films
directed by Suresh Hebblikar and Girish Kasaravalli, having won him national
acclaim by way of the “Belli Padaka” and “Suvarna Padaka”.
Sri Kudlu Rama Krishna has directed a children’s film “Bettada Purada Dittaru”
based on one of his novels.
His ever lasting contribution to Kannada language is commendable.
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
A well known figure in the construction industry, 62 year old charismatic
Lancy Mascarenhas has been chosen for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He
climbed the ladder of success through sheer hard work, determination and his
never-say-die attitude.
What began in 1973 from a modest beginning as a plumbing contractor rose to
being a multi crore construction magnet with 25 engineers, 150 supervisors and a
2,000 strong workforce.
Lancy always dreamt of being an entrepreneur and at a very young age he jumped
into the fray and today stands at the pinnacle of achievement.
A name synonym to construction, Lancy has build several multi-storey buildings,
27 churches, 4 engineering colleges, 30 schools, 33 convents and 4 temples and
mosques in Karnataka, Goa and Kerala. Lancy Constructions is the only full
fledged construction company in Mangalore to be awarded the ISO 9001:2008
certification from Pery Johnson USA ISO 9001.
He developed the opportunity that was at hand and diversified in varied fields.
Building material like fibre doors, hollow wall blocks, interlocks and pavement
blocks, instant concrete mixers are produced in their own factory.
He has been conferred with the “Rachana Award”, “Ultra Excel Award”, “South
Canara District Rajyostava Award”, “Prasar Konkni Puraskar”, “Noble Man Award”,
“Hradaya Vahini Award”, “State-level Aryabhata Award”, “Suma Saurabha Award” and
many more.
Since he took the entrepreneurial plunge, there is no looking back. Lancy’s only
hobby is hard work and more hard work. While doing so, he has contributed to
many a needy cause. He deserves kudos for his unparalleled achievements in the
field of construction by reaching its zenith by sheer hard work.
Established in 1998, the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) was
established for upholding the cause of Konkani Catholics scattered in and around
Bangalore and to also work for the welfare of the community not only in
Karnataka but around the globe. FKCA comprises of 26 Konkani Catholic
Associations in Bangalore and Mysore, besides 9 abroad.
Since the formation of the Federation, it has been a mouth- piece for the
community and has taken up its grievances very strongly with the Government
while fighting for their rights.
Besides, the annual programs like sports day and medical camps, it also provides
for free placement cell, matrimonial cell, entrepreneurs’ forum.
Member associations have benefited immensely through the initiative taken by the
Federation in procuring well developed housing sites on the Bangalore-Tumkur
highway near Nelamangala as well as low budget flats.
Log on its website, www.fkca.net to keep up with the latest news on the
Federation activities. A worldwide directory of Konkani Catholics is also
available on the website.
All those who can make it to the Federation Day celebrations are welcome to
attend the same and support the awardees for their achievements and service to
society.