Media Release

Manchester, Sep 11: KCAUK celebrated the Monthi Fest on September 8 at the Gandhi Hall in Manchester, UK. It was the consecutive seventh celebration of the feast of Nativity by KCA UK in the United Kingdom.

The Mangalorean Konkani speaking families from different parts of UK gathered on time as one family to celebrate this joy. The support from the guests renewed the spirit of happiness and inspired to carry on this feast in a true Mangalorean culture, custom and tradition.

The celebration commenced with the introduction from Lainet Pinto. Fr Rudolf Noronha from London blessed the new corn. This was soon followed by the showers of flowers by the children and the adults as an offering to Infant Mary to commemorate her birthday; whilst the choir simultaneously sang the hymn "Morieak Hogolxieam".

During the holy mass the first reading was read by Cyril Pinto, second by Pramila Pinto. In his homily, Fr Rudy gave the historical background to Monthi fest and how it spread to Mangalore. He stressed on the importance of family life and on preserving our traditions. He spoke of Mother Mary's role in our salvation history and how she is a great example for us due to her cooperation with God. The choir uplifted the spirit by the melodious singing by the Choir team led by Stan Mendonca and his team members.

The prayers of repentance were read by Kenneth D’sa, Sujith Rodrigues, Joseph Sequiera, Vinod Barboza and James Ravi Pinto. The Eucharistic Celebration was elated by the choir team and by the melodious music of Sujith Rodrigues, Mukesh Kannan and Rohan, which uplifted the spirit and joy of the feast and made the hearts of the gathered people merrier.

Prior to the end of the mass, Santhosh Pinto offered thanks to Fr Rudolf Noronha, the Choir Team and all the people for their devotional participation during the holy mass.

After the holy mass the soft drink has been served to all the guests. Stan Mendonca, the Master of Ceremonies brilliantly took the lead to direct the events for the rest of the day, which began with the beautiful dance by Sonal Mendonca and Crystal Futhado

The President of KCA-UK Stany Rodrigues extended his warm welcome to all the guests, soon after this, Stany Rodrigues who completed his term along with his team members on this day handed over the responsibilities to the newly elected president Ronald Lobo who now took over the charge with his newly elected team.

The newly elected committee which will now render its services for the next two years from today till September 2014 comprises of Ronald Lobo as the President, Lainet Pinto as the Vice President, Vinod Barboza as the Treasurer, Savitha D’Souza as the Secretary, James Ravi Pinto as the Cultural Secretary and Marina Monis as the Communication Co-coordinator.
 
After this all the elderly people who were amongst the assemblage were invited to the dais to actively participate in mixing the blessed corn with the milk which was later shared with all the guests. Their presence made the guest to remember their family members back in home town and also their near and dear ones. Once these embarked ceremonial procedure came to an end, the cultural activities commenced with the thrilling dance from young Cleona Pinto and Melisha Barboza, followed by the group dance by Shaun Pinto and team.

Traditional meal with seven different types of delicious vegetables, including Sanna, Rice, and Orn were prepared by KCA UK members which were later served to the KCAUK guests. KCAUK specially thank Martin Saldanha, Alwyn Bhutello, and Richard D’Silva for their dedicated work and also for their planning and co-ordination in arranging the food for all guests in time.

At the end of the lunch time, Santhosh Sequiera made the announcement to the gathering about the upcoming First Konkani Musical Extravaganza in United Kingdom by Stan Mendonca the ‘Stan Nite’ scheduled for June 23, 2013 at Wembley. KCA UK and MUKA Nottingham committee members assured their support to this event.

The events of the day further continued with a thrilling performance by James Ravi Pinto and team. Various talents very presented before the guests. Crystal Furthado and Team, Rhiana Buthello, Master Richard Mendonca danced their feet to the bollywood music, where as Sunil D’Cunha kept the momentum of the event lively by his melodious songs.

Joe Andrade, Cecilia Andrade, Arshiya Periera, Lainet Pinto and Anthony Mary Rodrigues entertained by their innovative dance.

James Ravi Pinto and Ronald Lobo performed a hilarious skit to the guest.

Ronald Lobo and Santhosh Sequiera carried out a fund raising event for the association in the form of auctions of items which he had specially brought for the Association; this is followed by Bingo where a few prizes were awarded to the winners.

Sincere thanks to Mangalorean United Konkani Association (MUKA) Nottingham for their active participation.

KCA UK extend its special thanks to, Brazil Gomes, Molly Rego, Cecilia Andrade, Joy Pinto, Francis Corda, Shailesh Rego, Vincent Rodrigues, Dr. Johnson D’Souza, John Furthado, Premila Pinto and Savitha D’Souza for their financial help.

The vote of thanks was given by Stany Rodrigues, He expressed his gratitude and thanked everyone who directly or indirectly supported to make the event a grand success. He gratefully expressed his special thanks to the members who prepared the meals, sponsors and members worked behind the screen for days to make the event a very success

Joe Andrade and Santhosh Sequiera captured the day’s event in photos, where as Anil D’Souza was behind the Video Camera. The Sound and Music during the cultural events were under the complete control of DJ Sujith Rodrigues.

The event concluded with a tea followed by baila dance.