Bengaluru: The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) held its 18th Annual General Body meeting, at Konkan Bhavan, Mathikere, here on Sunday, July 5th 2015.
The FKCA, which was established as the apex body of all Konkani Catholic Associations to espouse the cause the Konkani Catholics and fight for safeguarding the interests of the community, their language and culture, and also to represent the Konkani community in politics and Government levels, has grown to be a big organization with as many 30 associations, including those from several foreign countries affiliated to it.
The meeting was well attended by its most of the member associations. The meeting began with prayer led by Priscilla Pinto.
Victor Edward D’Souza, Chairman of FKCA welcomed the gathering. In his address, he gave a detailed update of various activities conducted by FKCA during the year 2014-15. The minutes of the previous year’s AGM and the accounts for the previous financial year 2014-15 were presented by General secretary Arun Fernandes and Treasurer Albert D’Souza respectively and the same were approved by the members present.
Presidents of various member associations recounted the activities of the Federation in the past year and also mentioned about the activities their respective associations had conducted in the past year. The efforts and service of all the associations in keeping our culture and the Konkani language in high esteem was appreciated by Chairman Edward D’Souza.
The Chairman concluded by expressing his desire, that the FKCA should be able to reach out to the spiritual and social needs of every Konkani Catholic member in the society and this can be possible only if all the member associations join hands and take active part in the programs chalked out by FKCA. He thanked the General Secretary, Treasurer, all Council members, all member association Presidents and members for their support and encouragement given to him during his tenure as the Chairman. He also thanked the Past Chairmen of FKCA for their guidance. The Chairman dissolved the Committee of 2014-15 and welcomed on stage, the election officer Mark D’Souza to conduct the election procedure.
Mark read the election related bylaws of the association following which he read out the names of the Nominees for the various posts. All the nominations were found to be in order and all the nominees were elected unopposed.
Victor Edward D’Souza was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) for the period 2015-2016. Arun Fernandes and Albert D’Souza were also re-elected unanimously as the General Secretary and Treasurer respectively for the forthcoming term.
The following members were elected as the office-bearers of the FKCA (2015-2016):
Chairman : Victor Edward D’Souza
Vice-chairman 1 : Dolphy D’Cunha
Vice-chairman 2 : Irene D’Souza
General secretary : Arun Fernandes
Treasurer : Albert D’Souza
Joint secretary 1 : Anup Saldanha
Joint secretary 2 : Benedicta D’Souza
Cultural secretary : Leena Lobo
Legal advisor : Anand Edward D’Souza
Imm. Past Chairperson: Aida Margaret D’Cunha
Imm. Past Gen. Sec’y : Irene D’Souza
The following members were co-opted by the Executive Committee for various activities
Spiritual director : Fr Richard Menezes (OCD)
Sports secretary : Wesley Fernandes
Media manager : Anthony Lobo
The AGM concluded with fellowship and lunch. Media representatives were present for the meeting.
