Bengaluru: ‘Mood Mangalorean’, the annual cultural and social event of the Kanara Catholic Association (KCA) witnessed a grand celebration that saw who’s who of the Catholic community. The celebrations were organsied at its newly built building “Konkani Samudai Bhavan” at Kalyan Nagar.

The chief guest on the occasion was Leslie Fernandes, ex-Chairman and major shareholder of the multinational Dockendale Shipping, which has 42 ships around the world.

Fernandes who started his career in the Indian Navy in 1951, eventually moved to the merchant marine where he rose to the rank of Chief Engineer. When Dockendale was started in 1973 by the world famous Naval Architect and Shipbuilding legend George Cambell, Leslie Fernandes joined them as General Manager for Japan. He was also instrumental in the joint venture between Dockendale and the Danish conglomerate Clipper. In 2000, their office in the Bahamas was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Bahamas, Hubert Ingraham.

Leslie Fernandes appreciated the charity work done by KCA and said that, “Konkani Samudai Bhavan will help many Mangalorean youth who visit Bengaluru in search of jobs.”

The evening function also had a gala of song and dance performances organised by the Vice President of KCA, Marjorie Texeira with the participation of nearly 55 of its members

The guest of honour was Ronald Colaco, a well known NRI Businessman. KCA president Errol Fernandes was present.