17th Annual General Body Meeting of Konkani Samudai, Bengaluru was held at 6.00 PM on 18th September 2022 at the Reliance Club, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore. Konkani Samudai had started their Association to promote and foster Konkani language and culture, to carry out activities that are conducive to attain social development and promote entrepreneurship as well as provide assistance in need.

Master of Ceremony Mr. Valerian Menezes kick started the event. The program started with prayer led by Mrs. Judith I.M. D’Souza. President Mr. Vinod Monteiro welcomed the guests and then led the Core Committee to the Dias. Secretary Mrs. Disleen D’Souza read the minutes of Last AGM and annual report of the Konkani Samudai Association. Financial reports were presented by the treasurer Mr. Ronald D’Souza. Feedback of the activities held and the suggestions for the next year by the members were taken. New members to the Samudai were welcomed and asked to introduce themselves.

Meritorious children and the children who excelled in extracurricular activities were awarded certificates and trophies by the guest of honour Mr. Silvian Noronha, Chairman of FKCA. Mr. Antony Gonsalves, General Secretary of FKCA also graced the occasion.

Following achievers in the field of education and literature from the member families were felicitated during this event.

Mr. Antony Prakash D’Souza for his achievement in literature. He had received several awards for his short story ‘MASAM’

Dr. Silvia Leera Sequeira for securing PhD in the field of Graph Theory from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi.

Dr. Vijaya Tauro for securing PhD in the field of Library and Information Science from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.

In his speech Mr. Silvian Noronha appreciated the social work done by the association and congratulated the achievers who were felicitated. He stressed the need of more people to come forward and support the development of Konkani. He assured all the support from FKCA to the association. In his vote of thanks speech Vice President, Mr. Vinod Titus Monteiro expressed gratitude to all who made this event successful and memorable.

This year Konkani Samudai exhibited a traditional Mando performance. Mrs Irene D’Souza one of the performers gave the introduction of how our Konkani people in the olden times and later on played the ghumot and expressed their happiness during get togethers, feasts and good times and this is been continued to keep alive our Konkani culture and songs. The team members were Percy Pereira, Valerian Menezes, Vinod Monteiro, Lawrence Saldanha, Charles Gomes, Stany D’Souza, Lawrence D’Souza (played the Ghumot), Jason Vijay Almeida (played the ghumot), Irene D’Souza, Judith I.M. D’Souza, Judith D’Souza, Molly D’Sa, Sharon Rego and Marina Furtado.

The Mando followed with a Traditional medley of dance numbers Chiku yoi yoi, Panchisvaran aikath zalyar and Darya Kushin led by Anvita Monteiro together with Sharon Rego, Savitha Furtado, Marina Furtado, Lavita Fernandes, Sujatha Thoras and Stenita Lewis. Neil Rhian, Aarush Franco and Cianna Furtado beautifully backed up the performance together with Viru Furtado, Stany Thoras . Jason Vijay Almeida and Anvita Monteiro was thanked for her extraordinary support in choreography for this event.

Percy Pereira and team led the Baila later on, Spot games and Housie housie were conducted through the event by Wilson D’Souza and Valerian Menezes.

The program ended with a sumptuous dinner.