News: Vijai D’Cunha/Naveen Mascarenhas
Pics: Allen Rodrigues

Muscat, Nov 20: Mangalore Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) of Oman organized a unique day-long academic and career success programme for the children of Class VII and XII, at the auditorium of Sts Peter & Paul Church, Ruwi, on November 10, which saw an overwhelming response from the children of the community who actively participated in the same.

The event began with an opening note from compere Vijai D’Cunha, who is also the force behind the preparation of this event along with the MCCP Team-26 executive committee members. The audience was then welcomed by the president of MCCP Sunil Furtado. He highlighted the motive behind conducting this programme, which is to help the children of the community to secure a better future. He said, “It is our aim to make our children important stake holders in the society. For that purpose, we need to create an environment for them to give their best and make a career choice that enables them to optimize their ability.”

He also introduced the animators of the workshop Adrian Rosario and Alison Rosario. Adrian Rosario known by his HR training and consultancy firm Infinity Consultancy Services at Mumbai and is also the former dean of the St Xavier Institute of Management. He has 26 years of experience in the related fields and has been regularly conducting seminars and workshops all over Mumbai and Pune. The co-animator Alison Rosario, has conducted several training sessions and workshops in different schools and colleges in Maharashtra, and is specialized to guide students for academic success.

Fr Mariyan Miranda, spiritual director of MCCP, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp for the occasion, along with the chief guest Cyprian Misquith, the animators Adrian Rosario and Alison Rosario and Sunil Furtado. They were joined on the stage by the executive committee consisting of Michael Goveas, Naveen Mascarenhas, Jane Castelino, Francis Pinto, Vijai D’Cunha, Philomena Saldanha, Dynet Fernandes, Terence D’Souza, and Suneel Menezes. Fr Mariyan then extended good wishes and his blessings on the programme.

Cyprian Misquith, a distinguished toastmaster and a longtime benefactor and supporter of MCCP, exhorted the participating children to aim high and work hard towards it in his key note address.

The animators then took over the proceedings. The first session was an interactive session to bring out various aspects that hamper the focus of the children from studies. Participants presented eight skits relating to this topic. Adrian Rosario highlighted on how to get oneself more organized and prepare to excel in the studies. The post-lunch session began with action songs by well-known choreographer Dynet Fernandes, who is also the present cultural secretary to induce fun and positive energy among the participants. The second part of the workshop was aimed at helping participants to know and develop the skills required for successful pursuit of their career objectives. Various techniques to enhance self-image, which is most important in achieving success, were suggested to the participants. Career options available currently were discussed in detail. The documents/procedures for admission in professional colleges in India were also elaborated.

After the day-long session, Philomena Saldanha, the spiritual secretary extended the vote of thanks to all those who contributed in successfully conducting the workshop. She thanked Francis Pinto for germinating the idea of this workshop and Vijai D’Cunha for ensuring that the idea becomes a reality. Thereafter, in a short honouring ceremony, certificates and various prizes were given to the participants. RaynerD’Cunha won for the Mathematical quiz question, MurielD’Souza in the logical question, JiaD’Souza and Leroy Fernandes were selected as the best action dancers and the group consisting Megan D’Souza, Lizzy Barboza, Liza D’Sa, Steve Lobo, Lester Monis, and StaciaD’Souza won the best skit show. At the end, the animators and the chief resource persons were felicitated with memento and a gift in recognition of their support in conducting the event.

RaynerD’Cunha, studying at Indian School Al Ghubrawho attended the programme said, “It was an excellent programme. It was highly educative and opened my eyes to new horizons of understanding.” Priyanka Mendonca (participant) of the same school stressed the point. “I think the programme was excellent. It was something different from the usual orientations and training sessions I attended previously. I, for one, became aware that I have far greater potentials than what I had thought. I think I have become a little more confident than before.”Alston Moras (participant), who attended the programme, stressed the point, “The youth of today should not do what they are deployed to do. Following the same mechanical tradition is obviously not the key to today’s world”.

At the end of this innovative programme, all the participants were highly energized and felt that it not only supported them in following their own interests, but also gave them the confidence to achieve their best.

The event sponsors were:

Prasad Bhat, senior sales manager at Marmul Travel & Hospitality Group (Courtesy Vijai D’Cunha), Caesars Restaurant and Confectionery (Nitin Anchan), National Life & General Insurance (Courtesy Suneel Menezes), Prem Colaco, Steven Quadros (Bausher Press).

The sponsors for the year are:
Platinum sponsor: Muscat Golden Services LLC (Raphael D’Souza)
Gold sponsors: Omantel (courtesy Eula Pinto) and Technofit Trading LLC (Liguory and Margaret D’Mello)
Silver sponsors: Marmul Hospitality group of travels, Exchange & Hotel Golden Oasis (Mabel Pinto - courtesy Vijai D’Cunha), National Finance Company SAOG (Robert Pancras - courtesy Francis Pinto), Bank Sohar (Sasi Kumar)
Bronze sponsors: Sea Pearls LLC (Riyas - courtesy Francis Pinto), Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co LLC (Denis Mascarenhas) and Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading (Raphael Quadras)