Carmo Santos


-- by N.C.Mohandoss

Carmo was born in Goa in the year 1957 to Army General (Late) Armando Viegas Dos Santos and Luiza Bertalina Fernandes. After completing his education in Goa / Mumbai he landed in Kuwait in 1979 and joined one of the reputed companies M/s. Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar and is now having his own business.

Carmo is compassionate and always aimed to help and assist the poor and the needy in Kuwait over the past two and half decades. He always confronts every type of exploitation, especially labour and community related ones without discrimination of gender, race, religion and nationality. Numerous cases of passengers’ injustices, liaison with local sponsors of Goan maids, houseboys and drivers as well as on behalf of those working in offices and resolving disputes and safe return of many Goans using his established contacts and operatives.

His support and monetary assistance towards Goan causes have been focused by the church authorities as well as Indian embassy officials and diplomatic corps, NGOs in Kuwait and Indian organizations – both prior to invasion as well as post-invasion period. Scores of Goans have secured their jobs and positions for his timely and untiring efforts following the invasion of Kuwait. His personal efforts and intervention in convincing local employees to reinstate and organize their visas and travel arrangements soon after liberation when Goans in large numbers approached him.

In 2004, Carmo Santos was unanimously elected as president of the Goan apex organization, Goan Welfare Society and successfully organized the Goa Day 2004 and a record of 4000 plus Goans attended.He contributed to several awards being instituted in support of young Goan students in Kuwait, and has always supported Goan small businesses including florists, travel agencies, Konkani writers and authors in Goa and in Kuwait, Goan websites and Goan organisations’ souvenirs.

He is a very good linguist and expresses deep love for his mother-tongue Konkani. A regular and an active member of the Goan community and a generous one both in good and bad times. At present he is the chairman of Goan Cultural Centre-Kuwait.

Community Service Leadership Award
The Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Shri Vayalar Ravi will inaugurate the conference, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of AICC will deliver the keynote address. Shri Digambar Kamat, Chief Minister of Goa will be the Chief Guest and the Commissioner for NRI Affairs Shri.Edwardo Faleiro will preside.

On this occasion, the leaders of the Goan Community from some of the Gulf countries will be conferred and Mr. Carmo Santos is one among them from Kuwait.