Media Release
Doha, Sep 18: The Nativity of the Mother Mary or Monthi Fest is a day close to the heart of all Mangalureans, especially for the people of Mangalurean origin who are now scattered in different parts of the world. It is a day which evokes memories of days gone by, of childhood when one would clamber to collect the best flowers from the neighbourhood to take to church for the nativity novena and eagerly await the sugarcane that was distributed after the feast mass on the September 8. It is a day when all would partake in a vegetarian family meal and drink the ‘roce’ with the blessed grains in it.
Mangalore Cricket Club, Qatar, endeavours to retain and nurture the rich traditions of our hometown and initiates various events to make its members feel at home and the celebration of the nativity feast is one such event. MCC celebrated the Monthi Fest on September 15 at the multi-purpose hall, West End Park, Asian Town.
Stanley Thomas Hilary Fernandes, ardent Konkani lover and dedicated community leader, served Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP), Oman, thrice as president and once as director fondly known as ‘Dattu’ in Oman and ‘the Patriach’ of Mangalurean people in Oman was the chief guest of this programme and the guest of honour was Fr Rodney Rebello, visiting priest to Our Lady of Rosary Parish, Qatar, serving the Konkani Speaking Community.
The evening began with a rendition of a beautiful Konkani hymn in honour of Mother Mary ‘Bhaginthli Gunthun Phula’ by 35 children while Joshua Pinto played music on keyboard. They were trained by Naveen D’Souza and Kavita Tauro. To begin with cultural programme, it started with a duet song ‘Chandnyachi Raat’ by Alphonse D’Silva and Eva Wilma Pinto which was followed by the stage programme with all dignitaries on the stage.
President Prakash Noronha welcomed the guests on dais and gathering, briefed about the recent achievements from the Silver Jubilee celebrations, aided 38 students in their education and mentioned about the future events. Cultural secretary Kavita Tauro then introduced the students who excelled in Class X and XII in the academic year 2016-17 in CBSE Board exams scoring above 85% and achieved in sports/co-curricular activities representing school in international events were honoured by the chief guest.
Achievers of Class 12 are
1. Ashton Ian D’Souza - S/o Aloysius and Merlyn D’Souza,
2. Blacious D’Souza – S/o James and Grace D’Souza
3. Megan D’Souza – D/o of Oswald and Celine D’Souza
4. GishalCordeiro – D/o of George and Cynthia Cordeiro
5. Tanya Judith Lobo – D/o of Arnold and Sunila Lobo
Achievers of Class 10 are
1. Astra Julia Pinto - D/o Joseph and Emilda Pinto
2. Priya Noronha - D/o Prakash and Divya Noronha
3. Ceanna Agnes Aranha - D/o Roshan and Caroline Aranha
4. Royston Calder D’Souza - S/o Robert and Cecilia D’Souza
5. Clarissa Neolla Pinto - D/o Stany and Jane Pinto
6. Reon Saldanha - S/o Ronald and Veena Saldanha
7. Simone Amber Monteiro - D/o Santosh and Prema Monteiro
Sports achievers are
1. Ashral Rithika Castelino - D/o Alexis and Reena Castelino– Chess
2. Arnold Patrao - S/o Anoop and Anette Patrao - Tennis
She then introduced the Kho-Kho team players who were felicitated as reigning champions winning three successive years in ICC conducted sports on Qatar National Sports Day under the captaincy of Ryan Renjar and leadership of sports secretaries Cyril D’Sozua and Naveen D’Souza. Founder member Jerald D’Mello honoured them with mementos.
Past president and advisor Sunil D’Silva introduced the chief guest Stanley T H Fernandes to the audience and noted his accomplishments and the great community service rendered by him. In the presence of all advisors and past presidents on stage, Jerald D’Mello honoured him with a shawl, the president presented the memento and advisor Norbert Corda presented the fruit basket. Stanley Fernandes then addressed the audience praising the club for preserving the rich culture of Mangalureans of ‘Novem Jevaan’ in Qatar explaining the meaning of family feast and being thankful for the honour bestowed on him.
Guest of honour Fr Rodney Rebello released the club newsletter ‘Sugandh’ and presented to all excom members on stage. He then blessed the ‘roce’ and ‘Novem Jevaan’. ‘Roce’ was then distributed to the audience who had gathered together as one big Mangalurean family.
The cultural programme then continued with a skit titled ‘Fathor’ written and directed by Bonaventure D’Souza. The skit had a twist in the end giving a message to be careful with the use of words. It was enacted by Bonaventure D’Souza, Della Rego, Albert Rego, Clara D’Souza, Amith Mathias and Alwyn D’Souza.
Teenager Priya Noronha rendered a beautiful solo song ‘Chilipilli Suknyano’ composed by Late Wilfy Rebimbus. Little children Steve Lobo, Adria Lobo, Anwil D’Souza,
Anria D’Souza, Shawn D’Sa and Deanne Menezes presented a dance with nativity theme song ‘Novench Jeevan’ choreographed by Kavita Tauro and were accompanied by tiny
tots Melrin Pinto, Sweedal Lobo, Rowina Lobo, Claressa D’Souza, Alria Lobo and Nicole D’Souza.
Rib tickling comedy jokes were very well presented by talented comedians Amith Mathias, Jason Menezes, Melton Pereira, supported by Sarita Mendonca who kept the audience laughing and asking for more. Alwyn D’Souza and Nina Fernandes then presented a beautiful duet song ‘Chandnyachi Raat’ from the movie ‘Noshibhaso Khel’ composed by Wilson Olivera. Youngsters Dance Warriors Qatar team comprising Shown Fernandes, Jeevan Ferrao, Malcom Peris, Anusha D’Souza, Carol D’Cunha and Deleesha Menezes rocked the stage with their sizzling dance to a medley of songs. ‘Mogkarya’ song composed by Alphonse D’Silva from his first album ‘Tum Khoi Asai’ was beautifully presented by PressyD’Sa and himself.
Spot games were too conducted and one for kids was the best where little kids were asked to sing any Marian song surprised the audience with their boldness and knowledge of Konkani hymns.
The most entertaining item was the mime show which thrilled all the audience with their magical performance and a nice social message on use of mobiles performed by Naveen D’Souza, Greg D’Cunha, Shown Fernandes, Jeevan Ferrao, Yadav Puthran, Dennis D’Souza, Renzil D’Souza and Nevil D’Souza under the direction of Naveen D’Souza. General secretary Riana Pinto proposed the vote of thanks for all those who helped us through the event’s success and in food preparation.
President Prakash Noronha then honoured the main chef for the home cooked food Jyothi Pereira with a memento and presented her husband Anil Pereira with a gift. The programme was very well anchored by Sarita Mendonca and Alphonse D’Silva with the beautiful flow of language.
After the food, a bingo game was played and was well conducted by toastmasters Christopher Almeida and Melvin Buthello.
Earlier during the day, around 40 volunteers gathered together at aresidenceto prepare the traditional ‘Novem Jevaan’ meal with seven types of vegetables under the guidance of main cook Jyothi Pereira. MCC is also grateful to all the volunteers mainly Vivian D’Souza and Jossy D’Souza for preparing delicious ‘roce’ and ‘vorn’ and all ‘sanna’ volunteers who prepared in their homes.
MCC is grateful to all who with their time and efforts contributed immensely towards the success of the ‘Novem Jevaan’. The efforts of all participants and volunteers were paid off as the programme with variety of cultural items and the delicious home-cooked food was appreciated by one and all.
The president and the executive committee members of Mangalore Cricket Club expresses his gratitude to every member for their participation and support.