Saturday, October 29, 2011
3:30 pm to 11 pm
The Community House
415 West Eight Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521

We invite you and your family to the annual Konkani Diwali celebration for a fun filled evening with Aarti, Potluck Konkani Dinner and Entertainment.

Those wishing to participate in the cultural program should submit their names and program details to Geetha Prabhu by November 9th, 2011.

Namaskaru,

Some of you may have already heard this through the grape vine, Khabbar or tweets. Yes, the next Konkani Sammelan is coming back to its birthplace in New Jersey after 16 years and we have the privilege to celebrate sweet sixteen of the Sammelan! It will be hosted at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, NJ from June 29-July 1, 2012 (Fri-Sun). Please mark your calendars and save the dates.

The North East region was finalized for hosting the 2012 Konkani Sammelan only in May 2011. Since then, we have raced against time to put together a dedicated and motivated team of volunteers for organizing this mega event. The team’s vision is to host the best Konkani Sammelan to date and provide all attendees with outstanding cultural and entertainment programs, seminars, authentic and sumptuous Konkani food, social and professional networking opportunities, youth and children events.

Edison, NJ is at the heart of Indian and Konkani community in the North East. It is approximately 25 miles south west of New York City. The area is serviced by three major airports; the nearest airport being Newark, NJ (airport code EWR). The NJ Convention Center is an ideal place for holding the Sammelan, as it is NJ’s largest private venue with modern facilities to host big entertainment programs, meetings, vendor booths, and has a huge dining area. We have negotiated exclusive discounted rates with Sheraton and Hilton Garden hotels in Edison, which are near the Convention Center. Details on hotels in the vicinity, room rates, and how to make hotel reservations will be published on our website.

The theme for our Konkani Sammelan 2012, very aptly, is: “Connecting Konkanis, Heart to Heart, Home away from Home”. The various Konkani associations in North America and events like the biennial Konkani Sammelan are indeed catalysts for us to connect with our fellow Konkanis, culture, traditions, language and of course to enjoy our food. For our children and the youth growing up in North America, and also for adults and seniors, the Sammelan promises to be a great cultural experience and retreat, home away from home. We are aspiring for and expecting around 2000 Konkanis under one roof for 3 days in this upcoming Sammelan. This in itself should make us all Konkanis very proud!

In 2012, as July 4th holiday in the US falls on Wednesday, we decided to hold the Sammelan on the earlier weekend, as this would give out-of-town attendees chance to take advantage of the short week ahead for extended vacation with friends and relatives or touring the incredible North East region. More information on nearby sight-seeing areas and tourist attractions will be published on our website.

The excitement is in the air. The volunteers are putting in countless hours. We hope that the attendees and sponsors will respond positively in huge numbers. Details on Registration Fee for Sammelan are listed on our website. We had thorough deliberations for setting an appropriate pricing structure. The registration fee covers full scrumptious breakfast, meals and snacks during the entire Sammelan period for 2 and half days. It also includes admission to all the cultural and entertainment programs, seminars and most of the other events held at the Sammelan. There is an early bird discounted pricing till Dec 31, 2011. So, please register as soon as possible through our website www.konkani2012.org. Besides providing discounted price to you, this would also help us tremendously for planning purposes. Please bookmark and check our website regularly for Sammelan updates. You may reach us at sammelan@konkani2012.org with questions, concerns and suggestions regarding Konkani Sammelan 2012.

We request you to be our ambassadors in informing your nearest and dearest from North America and around the world about this event. We look forward for your continued participation and support. We will open our hearts and welcome you to the Konkani Sammelan 2012 and endeavor to make it an absolutely fabulous and memorable experience.

Devu Baren Karo,
Konkani Sammelan 2012 – Organizing Committee

Mandd Sobhan, a Konkani cultural organisation in the city, had organised the programme as part of a series of events during the 25-day First World Konkani Cultural Convention which is under way here.

The President said the colour and flavour of a language lay is in its literature. It is a platform to express ideas and thoughts, thus giving to language an emotional appeal and a moral and social standing.

“Literature has a social responsibility. It can have an inspirational influence when it highlights issues which make our youth conscious about the values nurtured continuously by our civilisation,” she said.

Ms. Patil said that literature could be an instrument of bringing harmony to society and strengthening national unity. “I hope that Konkani writers can contribute to the national integration process as well as to eradicate social evils, by creating awareness among people through their writings,” she said.

Above two pics are from here.

The President said as an enlightened community, the Konkani people were among the first to recognise the importance of education. They set up schools and educational institutions and showed special interest in educating their family members. She said that Konkani people who had always been peace-loving had a rich and traditional culture. They were hard working and enterprising. Konkanis actively participated in the freedom movement and after Independence contributed immensely to political, economic and social life of the country.

They formed one of the most diverse denominations in the country with many community identities and include Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Yet, they were bound by the common Konkani language.

MANGALORE: President Pratibha Patil will be the chief guest at the Vishwa Konkani Ekta Divas (World Konkani Unity Day) being organized as part of the maiden Vishw Konkani Sanskrutik Mahamell ( First World Konkani Cultural Convention) here on December 9. The convention per se featuring over 1,500 artists from 75 troupes from around the world will be held at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar near here from November 25.

Eric Ozario, gurkaar of Mandd Sobhann, the premier Konkani cultural organization told reporters here on Tuesday that the convention will be spread over a period of 25 days and end on December 19. It will showcase to the world, the beauty and variety of Konkani culture and strive to enhance the ‘swabhimaan’ of every Konkani.

On Saturday, November 27th, 2010, the American Midwest Konkani Association (AMKA) celebrated “Raupya Mahotsav” (Silver anniversary celebrations).

The event held in a grand banquet hall tastefully decorated by AMKA’s own members, set the ambience and mood for the events to follow. It was a glorious event showcasing the awe-inspiring talents of AMKA members. Kudos to the AMKA-25 organizers and the vast army of volunteers on a wonderful event!

In this festive season of giving thanks and counting blessings, it was most heartening to note that the foundation laid down by the visionaries who founded AMKA is being carried onward and forward into the 21st century by able and willing younger generations.

The spectacular opening ceremony paid homage not only to AMKA’s 25 glorious years of promoting our precious heritage, but also to the fair city of Chicago that we call home. In welcoming the audience, the opening speakers recounted highlights of AMKA’s history in “Panch-vees varsaan khabbari”.

The festivities began with a video montage of past 25 years of AMKA functions and performances – giving the audience a sense for how the organization (and its members) has grown. Dazzling dances, from graceful Bharata Natyam to energetic Bhangra to skillful Bollywood moves, kept the audience enthralled. Humorous plays, a colorful fashion show featuring multi generations, a karaoke competition and a game show challenging entire audience’s knowledge of Konkani language, history and culture called “Tumka gottas ve?” provided a full spectrum of entertainment for the evening. Enthusiastic participation of AMKA members from every stage of life showcased the continued involvement from generations to come for many more years. Featured artist Samarth Nagarkar, held the audience spell-bound with his masterful singing.

The community honored the founders of AMKA and tireless services of key members. As part of the celebration, each AMKA family also received a memorable souvenir and a 25-recipes booklet. After the closing ceremonies, a sumptuous dinner was served. The best part of this gala celebration was meeting friends, catching up on “panchaytika” and playing with the tiniest and cutest AMKA members. The celebration continued into the night with almost all of the 190 attendees dancing to the energetic and vibrant tunes of home-grown DJ. When AMKA “got the choice to sit it out or dance, AMKA danced”!

AMKA has plenty to celebrate. Together with its non-profit parent association AKA (American Konkani Association), AMKA is considered one of the oldest and most inclusive Konkani associations in North America and has been a pioneer in many ways. With the backing of these associations, the Chicagoland Konkanis were the first to: enact a full-length Konkani play, publish two community cookbooks and award scholarships.

May AMKA continue to prosper and nurture new generations of Konkanis for years to come!

[Note: No names have been mentioned in this article for there are too many to name and not wanting to inadvertently leave out any.]

The AMKA 25 event preparations are going on with full vigor and enthusiasm.

Event Fees and deadline dates for this Grand Occasion are:
Adults: $50 per person for registration before Nov 15th, and $60 after Nov 15th.
Children below 12 years: Free, with a paying adult.

We will be providing child care facilities at the event site.

Inviting AMKA25 SOUVENIR Magazine Submissions…
Amka-ites of all ages, fire up your laptops, sharpen your pencils, dust off your photo-albums! Here’s your chance to participate in a keepsake AMKA25 souvenir magazine that’s being published to celebrate and commemorate AMKA’S 25th anniversary in Nov, 2010.

Express Yourself Contest. AMKA Youth: (Ages: 2-18 yrs)

Please finish any one of these sentences:
1) I like AMKA because…
2) My best AMKA moment was…
3) Without AMKA I would be…

Write an essay (no more than 500 words), or a poem (no longer than 50 lines in length), or send us art (81/2 x 11 page size) and express yourself.

• Entries will be divided into: Elementary (1st-6th grade), Jr. High (7th-8th) and High School (9th-12th grade).
• One 1st Prize of $50 and one Honorable Mention Prize of $25 will be awarded in each category.
• Top 5 in each category will be published in the AMKA25 Souvenir.
• Contributions may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email.

‘Where Are They Now?’ or ‘Memba Them?’: AMKA Next Gen (Ages – over 21 or their parents)

Send us a pic of you as an AMKA youth at an AMKA event and a pic of you now with your current occupation or achievement. It’ll be fun for all to see you all grown up!

25 Years of AMKA – General (but very special) submissions: AMKA public – all ages.

Submit short articles, poetry, art and pictures pertaining to AMKA. Topics can include:

• Recollections of your AMKA experiences (collage pictorials accepted) at our yearly events, the Sammelans, our plays, dances, etc., any AMKA related activities.
• Write-ups about anything you accomplished thanks to your AMKA connections
• inspirational for the rest of us.
• AMKA themed anecdotes, short stories, jokes, puzzles.
• Chronicles of AMKA – Historical, time-line articles about AMKA then and now, the early immigrant experience in the AMKA family, etc.

Calling all AMKA cooks: Any age, any gender.

Send in your favorite, tried and tested recipes for printing either in our Souvenir magazine or as a special supplement hand-out at the AMKA25 event. We’re especially looking for konkani recipes that are:

• current-day kitchen staples using newer gadgets, tools and techniques.
• modern twists on konkani food – semi-homemade – using ready to use ingredients
• ‘Heart-Healthy’ and ‘Low Calorie/Low Fat’/Low Carb (low anything:) versions of old konkani classics.

Deadline for all entries is Oct 5th, 2010. So, hurry!!!

For more information please contact:

• Sandhya Kamath – skamath AT aol dot com
• Vinaya Nayak – vinnu AT comcast dot net
• Ravibala Shenoy – aphoton AT aol dot com
• Leena Balsekar – balsekar AT aol dot com

PS.: All accepted contributions will be treasured for years to come in our keepsake souvenir magazine, so please send them in.

Read More about their accomplishments from the Naperville Sun.

Congratulation Jaya and Medha.

On Saturday, Oct 17, 2009, 5:00- 9:30 om
at the Unted Methodist Church, 87 Church St, Wilmington, MA 01887

Includes Bhajans, Pooja, and Entertainment Program, followed by Pot-luck Dinner.
5:00 pm Snacks and Socializing
6:00 – 6:30 pm Bhajan and Arati
6:30 – 7:30 pm Cultural/Talent Show
7:30 – 8:00 pm Admission [Shreya Pai and Mithali Shenoy]
8:00 – 9:30 pm Dinner & Dessert

RSVP by October 10th, 2009.
Contact Sabita Pai [Sabita_pai At yahoo]