๐๐ฆ๐ธ๐ด ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ: ๐๐ข๐ด๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ฐ / ๐๐ถ๐ธ๐ข๐ช๐ต
Goans have lived in Kuwait for ages, excelling
in their field of profession.
Agnello
A.S. Fernandes, a well-known Goan
who has excelled in Kuwait over the years was extended warm farewell by Goan
Cultural Centre (GCC) at a special function held at Holy Family Cathedral,
Kuwait City, recently.
Agnello was honored at the hands of Fr. Antony
Lopez, OFM CAP., JCD. Chancellor & Judicial Vicar of AVONA (Apostolic
Vicariate of Northern Arabia), in presence of GCC President Shri Carmo Santos,
and other members of the community.
๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Fr. Antony began the brief ceremony by reciting
a prayer and wishing Agnello and family all the very best in life.
The dynamic personality was presented with
Kuwaitโs symbolic memento in recognition for his immense contribution towards
the Goan community in Kuwait.
Agnelloโs wife Neeta Fernandes was also present
on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion in the background of
an iconic photo, GCC President Carmo Santos showered the couple with tributes, โAgnello
has served in every field with marked distinction, he will be much remembered by
everyone especially for his contribution to Goan sports and culture.โ
Mr. Santos further summarized life Agnello's life saying, โFrom being President of
Navelim YC for 15 years - actively supporting Indian football activities and
Goan culture & art, shouldering the first Gulf Voice of Goa singing
competition, to support organize the repatriation of stranded Goans, to being a
role model in charities, Agnello has been there and lived by example.โ
โKuwait has been more than our second home,โ said an emotional
Agnello, proudly, โWords fall short to express the love I have for
Kuwait.โ
The members, especially GCC Vice President
Martin Alphonso, CRC Chinchinim President Bosco Leitao, in their speeches
recollected Agnelloโs immense humor that has helped everyone around him to rise
up to cheerful spirits.
Gasper Crasto stated, โAgnello was the face of Navelkars in
Kuwait for many years, and an architect and pillar of Navelim who always stood for
unity among its members.โ
โI am leaving with fond memories of Kuwait and friends that I
have made over the years,โ concluded Agnello in his farewell speech while
thanking GCC for the kind gesture in honoring him.
Agnello, who had resigned from his job last November, left Kuwait for good on 30th March 2021.
๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ผ๐๐
Born at Aquem-Alto, now a posh hub of Margao, son of a sailor,
Agnello had his initial education at Guardian Angel High School Sanvordem,
before his graduation and arrival in Kuwait in the year 1975.
Agnello started his career with Jassim Mohd Al Ali Al Wazzan in
their indenting department as a junior clerk.
After working 6 years, he joined KFTCIC, the biggest investment
company at that time, in their treasury back office. He worked with them for 16
years and when the company merged with Kuwait Investment Company in late 90โs,
he moved to National Investment Company as a Settlement Officer.
Agnello later joined Gulf Custody Company as Senior Settlement
Officer and worked for them since 2001. Thanks to his hard work, Agnello rose
to the position of Vice President - Fund Administration Department of Gulf
Custody Company - the biggest fund custodian in GCC countries with over 7
billion U.S. dollarsโ worth of assets under them.
It was a pride for Goans to see a fellow Goan achieving great
heights in a country where top positions are mostly dominated by Arabs and
Europeans.
Agnello was also a member on the Board of Directors of Indian
Community School (ICSK) which runs 4 huge schools in Kuwait affiliated to CBSE.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ท๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ, ๐๐ด๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ผ.
