Kuwait: Audience Tickled Pink at UMK Event in Aid of White Doves
Report and Pics: Wilson and Priya Saldanha, Shirthady/ Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Oct 8: 'United Mangloreans Kuwait (UMK)' a group of talented artists under the leadership of Agnel Saldanha with the motto 'Our talent - Help for the underprivileged' organized its most awaited charity show on Friday October 7, at American International School from 5.30 pm onwards.
The show comprised melodious songs, foot tapping dances, and a hilarious Konkani comedy drama – 'Sangon Mugdana' in aid of 'White Doves' Mangalore.
The programme started with anchors of the day Sanjay Baretto and Joyce Fernandes formally welcoming the audience. The UMK members gathered on the stage by welcoming audience in a unique style with banners mentioning all the three shows and their cause. Mind-blowing songs 'Kedna Kedna', 'Don Kalzan Ek Jalim', 'Yogitha Nikk Swagatha' were sung by Nancy, Nirmala, Markus, Renita and Purandar manchi. Foot tapping Konkani Folk dance, Children's dance and 'Bollywood Fusion' were performed by Joyce, Vinitha, Glenda, Juliet, Sandra, Sunil, Johnson, Nelson, Roshan, Prakash, Blessiya, Nichole, Riya, Iral, Irisha, Swizzal, Sania, Sara, Delma, Fedora, Priyanna, Mariet, Suzzette, Marvin, Favin, Glaron and Baby Krisha, Renwick, Samantha, Josline, Robin, Shannon, Neil, Angel, JoelandAndrea.
The sponsors of the event Dr Sneh Lata (Nuna) Goel, Vincent Fernandes and Vishal Goel along with Chief Guest Fr Noel D'Almeida were welcomed to the stage for lighting of the Traditional lamp. Gurkar of UMK Agnel Saldanha welcomed the audience and explained the achievements of UMK through the Kuwait public towards good deeds. Agnel Saldanha informed that after deducting all the expenses they can manage to give Rs 11,10,000 (11.1 lac) to 'White Doves' excluding the donation collected from the audience through donation box circulation.
The main sponsors of the event Dr Sneh Lata (Nuna) Goel and Vincent Fernandes were felicitated with Momentoes and flower bouquets. Co-sponsors, the contributors of the program like the director of the drama, music director, choreographers along with the various media persons were felicitated with bouquets. Chief guest Fr Noel D'Almeida and Dr Nuna Goel spoke few words appreciating the efforts of UMK towards a good cause. Visiting priests Fr James D'Souza and Fr Melvyn Fernandes were also felicitated with bouquets. Vrinda Lewis thanked every one who supported the noble cause.
A documentary on 'White Doves' was showed on the screen to give information to the audience. White Doves is a charity organization of the laity truly committed to uplift the downtrodden on the lines of Blessed Mother Theresa's organization founded in Kolkatta. It is a lay NGO that runs two destitute homes in the Mangalore city and takes care of more than 60 ill or abandoned and devastated women, small kids and men, with help from philanthropists in the city. While the primary aim of the organization is to tend to those souls who have no one to look to, it says, sometimes it comes across incidents that are hard to believe and totally inhuman. 'White Doves' mostly picks up its inmates from the streets or when somebody has no one to fall back on or to care for.
The much-awaited drama 'Sangon Mugdana' started with a big bang as expected. The team kept up the tempo of laughter emanating from the audience throughout while also bringing out various shades of emotions. The artists Agnel Saldanha, Alexander Fernandes, Gladys Pinto, Kevin D'Souza, Levnis Suares, Lucy Aranha, Macleen Rodrigues, Mary Saldanha, Rajesh Fernandes, Remi Cornelio, Santhosh Rodrigues, Sathish Saldanha, Victor Saldanha, Vincent Coelho and Vinnifred D'Souza gave their maximum to fill the life in the characters of drama.
The drama was written by Pradeep Barboza, Paladka and directed by Ronald D'Souza Mulki. Background scores were provided by Suneeth Noronha and stage setting was done by Manoj Parangipet, Levnis Suares and Anand Pais. The choreography for dances was by Joyce, Sunil, Vrinda, Renwick, Andrea and Joel Pinto. Make-up was done by Ajay Gosh and Ledwin Bothelho and lights and sound was provided by ILLUMINATIONS (Anand D'Souza).
When most of the major associations are struggling to organize programs due to lack of support, it is really highly appreciable that some individuals gathering together to help for a good cause with a mind blowing program to the entire satisfaction of the audience. As Dr Nuna Goel said during her speech "We do good things for our friends, relatives and known people. Helping unknown people is the greatest prayer," - perfectly suits UMK.