Canada - Konkani Sammelan July 1st to July 3rd 2006

The Canadian Konkani's are the hosts for 2006 convention to be held at Hamilton Convention Centre. This event being held first time outside the US, is expected to draw about 2,000 delegates.

We invite all konkani's from around the world to join us & be part of the celebration.

The clock is counting down, and the Registration Meter is climbing up! Just over 90 days remaining. Excitement is building up among Konkanis all over North America!!

Friends are planning to meet, families are organizing get-togethers, and the NAKA KonCANi Sammelan 2006 team in Canada is shifting into top gear. Check to see which of your friends and family will be attending. Make sure you join them at this celebration!

Enjoy vibrant Toronto! Get ready for three days of fun, entertainment, delicious food and merry making. Meet at our Sammelan !!

Many of the organizers of Sammelan 2006 are Youth - and they are planning to have a blast like never before! They extend a special invitation to all Konkani Youth to join them in Hamilton!

Programs

The theme of our program events is to Enlighten, Educate and Entertain. Over the two and half days of July 1-3, 2006, we will present over 40 hours of programming, mainly made up of your contributions. A preliminary programs outline is already in place. Here are some highlights.

Speakers:
On July 1, 2006 during the opening ceremonies, Dr. Sheela Basrur, Chief Medical Officer of Health in Province of Ontario, will deliver the keynote address. Dr.Basrur is a 2nd generation Konkani, born and raised in Ontario Canada, is seen as a role model by many young Konkani’s in Ontario. Visit our Speakers section of web site to read about Dr. Basrur, and other speakers such as Dr. C. Shammi (the Endnote Speaker), Suresh Shenoy, Dr. Arun Shanbhag, Ashok Kalle, and Suresh Hemmadi.

Seminars & Workshops:
We have an eclectic line up of very topical Seminars & Workshops during the afternoons of July 2 & 3, 2006. The subjects range from Home & Living, Fine Art, Religions, Business & Law, Health & Nutrition, Politics, etc., and also Yoga sessions to start your day. We also have Watch this space for addition information on these.

Entertainment:
Here again we have a fascinating line up programs in music, dance, drama/skits, comedy and more. Highlights are Karaoke Night contest and Shastreeya Sangeet. Visit our Entertainment web page to see the line-up of lively programs.

For most of us who always wanted to sing (but are afraid to do so!), we have special Karaoke Contest nights on July 1 and 2, 2006. Display your talents and let the nostalgia of film and other music of 1950s through current times come out. Participate and win exciting prizes. Visit Karaoke Night web page for details and to enrol.

For the lovers of Hindustani Classical Music (Shastreeya Sangeet), we have a veritable feast of classical music over two nights in the Studio Theatre of the facilities. Listen to Sarangi music by Aruna Narayan Kalle and vocal khayal music by Usha Kallianpurkar, and many others. Visit our Classical Music page on the web site for biographies of the musicians.

Other Events:
Highlight of the July 2, 2006 evening is the Youth Program (everyone is a youth at this time!) with youth keynote speech and the Konkani Idol, which is back again by popular demand.

On July 3, 2006 evening, we will conclude the Sammelan in our glittering closing ceremony, which will include the Endnote Speech, Auction of artifacts, Distinguished Awards of Excellence, Kalash transfer and the good byes till the next Sammelan.

For any further information, please contact:
Shanta & Gurudutt Chikarmane
605-1200 Don Mills Road
Toronto,Ontario
M3B 3N8
Email: programs@konkani2006.com
Telephone: 416-510-8112