The Konkani Sammelan (KS) is a flagship event for the Konkanis in North America. This biennial event has attracted Konkanis from all across the United States and Canada. The two-and-half day event highlights sumptuous Konkani food, entertainment, seminars, workshops, and much more. Konkani Sammelans have been a toast of our community.

Initiated in 1996, these Sammelans have been a success right from the beginning. What started out as "Kindling the Konkani Spirit" in New Jersey in 1996 grew up as "Nurturing Konkani Culture" in California in 1998. The Millennium Sammelan in 2000 in Chicago boosted the Konkani spirits high by “Promoting Konkani Heritage." The 2002 Konkani Sammelan in Houston made us all "Proud to be Konkanis." The 2004 Konkani Sammelan in Southern California certainly did a marvelous job in “Preserving Our Heritage & Promoting Our Youth.” The 2006 Canadian Sammelan helped us in “Remembering Our Past & Looking To Our Future.” The 2008 Sammelan in Santa Clara helped “Awaken the Konkani in us All,” leading to the upcoming 2012 Sammelan in Edison, which will be “CONNECTING KONKANIS, HEART TO HEART, HOME AWAY FROM HOME.”

All these Sammelans have fulfilled the goal of preserving the Konkani heritage and communicating its value to the younger generation. The Konkani youth have risen up to this challenge and host youth conventions biennially as well. The bond that has developed through these gatherings is everlasting. These Sammelans have given Konkanis a rare opportunity to reunite, learn from each other, discuss issues of common interest, and launch new friendships.








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