BENGALURU: The Konkani Catholic Welfare Association (KCWA), R.T. Nagar, hosted its much-awaited Sahamilan Annual Get-Together 2025 at Patel’s Inn & Resort on Sunday, bringing together over 250 members for a memorable celebration of faith, culture, and community unity. The evening was filled with heartwarming moments, honoring achievements, and embracing the spirit of togetherness that defines KCWA.

The festivities began with a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Jude’s Church, R.T. Nagar, at 4 PM, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ivan J. Santhosh Dias from St. John’s National Academy for Health Sciences, Bangalore. Delivering an inspiring sermon, Fr. Ivan, who also served as the Guest of Honour, highlighted the values of unity, faith, and service in building a stronger community.

As the sun set, members gathered at Patel’s Inn & Resort for an evening brimming with joy and camaraderie. The event was presided over by KCWA President, Mr. Stephen Machado, alongside esteemed guests, including Mr. Robert Cutinha (Chairman, FKCA), Mr. Silvian Noronha (Past Chairman, FKCA), and Rev. Fr. Ivan Dias, whose presence added prestige to the occasion. The event opened with a welcome dance by Ms. Sarah D’Souza, setting the tone for an electrifying cultural showcase. The highlight of the evening was the KCWA Group Dance, "Kalzache Ranio," which captivated the audience with its synchronized choreography and infectious energy. Several other cultural performances added to the festive spirit, reflecting the incredible talent within the KCWA community.

Guiding the evening with wit and enthusiasm, Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Kiran Dsouza, ensured an engaging atmosphere with fun-filled spot games, keeping attendees entertained and involved.

A particularly touching moment of the evening was the Golden Jubilee celebration of Mr. Robert and Mrs. Eliza Gonsalves from Anand Nagar, R.T. Nagar. Their 50 years of love and companionship were honored with deep admiration, marking a significant milestone in their journey together.

The evening also celebrated academic excellence, with Mrs. Kavita Rego presenting awards to outstanding students for their dedication and achievements. Further strengthening KCWA’s growing community, Joint Secretary, Mr. Robert Mascarenhas, formally welcomed 15 new families into the association.

KCWA proudly conferred the Entrepreneur of the Year Award upon Mr. Vincent Pinto for his remarkable contributions to wastewater management. With over 35 years of expertise, he has led global water treatment initiatives, serving as Vice President at World Water Works and previously as Country Head for Headworks Inc., USA. His pioneering work has earned him prestigious accolades, including the Best Technical Paper Award (2024) and the P.V. Patki Memorial Award, recognizing his impact on the industry.

As the evening drew to a close, Mrs. Sharmila D’Souza, General Secretary, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to making the event a grand success.

The celebrations culminated with a lavish dinner hosted by Patel’s Inn, followed by the much-awaited Baila dance, where members took to the floor in a joyous display of Konkani culture and unity.