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We are a cultural association based in London, dedicated to bring together all Mangalorean Christians living in and around London.
There are no confirmed details as to when the first Mangalorean Christians arrived in the UK for settlement. Our initial enquiry suggested that it was only in late seventies some Mangaloreans arrived for unskilled jobs. However, globalisation and demand opened the doors for skilled workforce from the developing countries and the doctors, nurses and IT professionals were the first to grab the opportunity.
However, like any other community, Mangaloreans who arrived in the beginning of this century, found themselves isolated and cut off from the society. That’s when they started looking for other Mangaloreans close to where they lived. It is documented that Mangaloreans would meet in small groups during family functions or religious ceremonies. The only occasion where Mangaloreans would gather in large numbers was for the annual Nativity Feast organised by the Lobo family.
In the early years of 21st Century, the few families who had just arrived in the UK decided to form an association to bring together Mangalorean Christians under one roof. It was on 14th of November 2004, the association was formally inaugurated by Rev Fr Maurice D’Souza csc, and the Association was christened as UK Konkans. On the same day, it was decided to run our own website UK Konkans.Com.
In order to identify themselves as part of a family and facilitate easy communication, it was suggested to register the members for a nominal one time Membership fee of £10 per family (this was later rescinded). It was also decided to elect/nominate office bearers every two years to run the affairs of the association on a day to day basis.
Our motto is – Konkani Ulai ani Konkani Urai
Our core values are to promote the Konkani language by speaking Konkani as is reasonably practical, conduct meetings in Konkani, teach and encourage our children to speak in Konkani
Our strength is to work as a family.
Our commitment is to maintain cordial relations with all community groups serving the Mangaloreans.
Our promise is to work selflessly to maintain our culture and traditions, family relationships, respect for to all and transparency at all times
