Bangalore, October 7, 2007: Youth Meet of Kanara Konkani Speaking working youth was organized by Konkan Catholic Association in their hall on 7th October 2007 with the objectives :
a) Create awareness of status of the Konkani at present.
b) Analyze problems faced by working youth and find possible solutions.

The seminar had two resource persons:
1. Rev. Fr. Santosh Menezes O.F.M. Cap., who began his priestly career in North Kanara and later on in Goa thus enriching his Manglorean Konkani. He has traveled all over the world and has rich experience in counseling. He is a prolific writer in Konkani and English. His articles regularly appear in Konkani weeklies under the name ‘Sameeka.’ His concern and love for Konkani made him volunteer for motivating the youth to keep our language live and prosper.
2. Rev. Fr. Faustine Lobo, Regional coordinator for Caritas, Secretary of Karnataka Regional Pastoral Council and Convener of ‘Kristhotsava’. He has vast experience in counseling youth and self help groups for which he has received special training abroad. He too on his own volunteered his expertise to motivate the youth to help themselves.

It was the encouragement and enthusiasm of these that resulted in the youth meet. In all 39 youth (20 boys and 19 girls) participated. Many committee members too were present to witness the first ever “Youth Meet”.

Mr. Anil Rego, President, welcomed all present and called upon the youth to do something positive and constructive for the society.

The first session of the meet began with a skit depicting status of Konkani. This was further explained emotionally by Fr. Santosh Menezes with Wilfy’s immortal song “Konkni amchi bhas, konkan amcho ganv” as his theme. He forcefully entreated all present to use Konkani everyday, everywhere possible as it is only by usage of the language that it survives and is enriched. He appealed to all to remove false notion of using English to enhance one’s status or prestige as he felt using and promoting one’s mother tongue is real greatness.

The second session began with the skit depicting problems faced by youth at home and at their work place. The convener - Mr. Frank D’Souza addressed the youth and told them that ‘youth’ is a very short span in life when they can achieve the best and even the impossible and face any challenges.

Fr. Faustine, then guided the youth to identify their problems and find solutions by themselves. He vividly explained the example of self help groups who though they do not have ‘anything’ find that when they pool their talents and skills they can achieve many things. So it is important to first give and pool so that all can receive.

The result was all youth present decided that they join any Konkani Association convenient to them and bring their problems to the notice of the office bearers of these associations. Mr. Anil Rego, President, also promised to form a separate youth committee of the association to carry forward the ideas and suggestions that were made during the meet.

The meet ended with the Konkani mass at 4.00pm.