By Gasper Crasto
Photos by: Rewon Gomes, professional photographer.
Additional input: Gaspar Almeida, Moderator, Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter
Kuwait, June 2009: Alexander Fernandes, ex-President of Colva United Centre-Kuwait (CUC) and a stalwart of expatriate Goan in Kuwait for over 3 decades was given a grand send-off by the club at a function held at City Mughlai Restaurant on Friday, June 5, 2009.
Members of the club showed their affection to Alexander with the cutting of a specially prepared cake in honor of their leader. The function was attended by a number of distinguished guests from various circles.
Dignitaries who spoke on the occasion included Jacob Fernandes (newly elected CUC President), Muriel Alphonso (President - Indian Women's Association), Dr. Jaganath Chodankar (General Secretary of Indian Doctors Forum, and President - Club 9), Blandino Viegas (President, Kuwait Indian Football Federation), Kuwait Konknni Kendr member and journalist A.Veronica Fernandes, among a host of Goan personalities who wished him well.
Earlier, CUC P.R.O Joao Fernandes highlighted various accomplishments of Alexander and his popularity among expatriate Indians, especially Goans. Joao fernandes further highlighted Alexander's successful efforts to get CUC registered in Goa under the Societies Act and obtaining relevant permissions to invest CUC finances in mutual funds, government securities and also share trading in stock markets. In recognition of his efforts and his contributions, the CUC committee has overwhelmingly designated Alexander the title of Honorary Attorney in Goa to represent their interests back home.
A. Veronica Fernandes speaking
Dr. Jaganath Chodankar during his speech
Indian Women’s Association President Muriel Alphonso speaking at the function
P.R.O Joao Fernandes highlighting Alexander’s accomplishments "I wish all the members of CUC, fellow Colvenkars and the large Goan community to keep up the good work and continue to foster unity and fraternity among the Indians living in Kuwait," concluded Alexander flashing his trade mark smile which will remain embedded in the minds of all.
The function was well coordinated by compere and CUC member Tony Viegas with DJ Mario providing music for the taste.
:::About Alexander Fernandes:::Alexander has been in Kuwait for the last 34 years working with The Gulf Bank, his last position being the Assistant Manager in Trade Finance. Prior to his coming to Kuwait, he worked at the State Bank of India in some branch offices in Goa. He has a Bachelor's Degree (Commerce) from Pune University. A founder member and treasurer of the Goan Welfare Society since inception, Alexander has been involved with various social welfare activities over the years. A man of principles, he always contributed valuable, viable and progressive suggestions at GWS forums. He has been an active promoter and a protagonist of Goan causes including the promotion of Konkani language.
When Novem Goem Prathisthan was formed with the sole aim to publish a Konkani daily newspaper 'Novem Goem' back home in Goa, Alexander, along with A. Veronica Fernandes, and scores of Konkani lovers came forward to carry out the mission by forming a Kuwait Committee of Novem Goem Prathisthan. A sum of Rs. 4 lakhs were donated for the project in the name of Goans in Kuwait for the smooth running of the Konkani newspaper. Alexander was also at the forefront of Goans' movement to get Kuwait-Goa-Kuwait direct flight when NRI Goans faced many problems to travel to Goa via Bombay. Being an active member of Konkani Basha Mandal in Goa, he registered over 100 members in Konkani Basha Mandal from a varied spectrum of Goans when he landed in Kuwait.
When overseas Goans were called upon by Goenche Porjecho Avaz for support in getting Konkani language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution which culminated in declaring Konkani as Official language and Goa as a separate State, Alexander played a pioneering role along with other fellow Goans in this movement and managed to collect about Rs. 5 lakhs for the successful mission. Alexander is also the member of Gulf Goans Hotels Company - a venture of a group of NRI Goans based in the Gulf, predominantly from Kuwait - which now has to its credit the impressive "Goan Heritage Hotel" in Calangute, Bardez, Goa.
Way back in 1982 in Goa, the project of Colva Parish Hall was lying incomplete due to financial constraints. Along with other progressive minded Colvenkars Alexander started the movement of mobilizing funds and managed to get about Rs 5 lakhs for the construction. The hall is now operational for the last 20 years. This movement led the foundation stone for the formation of Colva United Centre in Kuwait which today has become a vibrant and result oriented association not only for the people of Colva but for other Indian expatriates also. Alexander has been successfully leading the Centre for the last 6 years before the new committee was elected last May.
Colva United Centre's dream project is to start a '24 hour Modern Health Centre' in Colva under the Goa NRI Commissioner's scheme "Development of Your Own Village". According to CUC, the progress of the Health Centre project is progressing with the process of land acquisition already been initiated by local MLA who is also Goa's Tourism Minister.
Colva United Center - Managing Committee for the year 2009~2010
The newly Executive Committee of Colva United Centre for the year 2009~2010:Jacob Fernandes - President; Ms. Celine Vaz -Vice President, Minino Ratus - Gen. Secretary, Gloyne Fernandes- Asst. Gen. Secretary, Manuel Fernandes - Treasurer, Agnelo Pereira - Asst. Treasurer, Tony Viegas - Cultural Secretary, Peter Fernandes (Willy) - Asst. Cultural Secretary, Joao Fernandes - Public Relations, Menino Fernandes -Asst. Public Relations, Ms. Violet Ratus - Asst. Public Relation,
Executive Members:
Cajy Diniz, Thomas Vaz, Xavier Mascarenhas, Rosary Fernandes, Alex Goes, Peter Fernandes.