Gladson Almeida
Pics by Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Sep 15: Come September and Mangalorean Catholics’ love for traditions, bonding with nature, devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary and affection for flowers is rejuvenated. Wherever they might are and whatever they are doing, advent of September makes Mangaloreans nostalgic with their hearts yearning to bond with the family back home. This is what the feast of Nativity popularly known as Monthi Fest is all about to Mangalorean Catholics.
The birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary which is celebrated with blessing of the new corn and family meal is one of the hallmarks of Mangalorean Catholic community. Monthi Fest is the celebration of family bonds, filial relationships and a feast which makes us aware that we are very much part of the nature around us and it brings us closer to Mother Nature.
Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), the uniting factor for Mangaloreans in Qatar has always been the vanguard of promoting culture, nourishing native traditions and enhancing fraternal bonds. Accordingly celebration of Monthi Fest is very much on the agenda of MCC and it is one of the premier events hosted by the Association every year.
This year, the traditional Novem Jevann was held on Friday September 14, 2012 at Al Ghazal Club, Qatar. The celebration was attended by over 600 Mangaloreans. The chief guest for the evening was Melwyn D’Cunha, young entrepreneur, philanthropist and inspirational chairman of Mangalore Catholic Cooperative (MCC) Bank and the guest of honor was Fr Anand Castelino, Assistant parish priest and the Spiritual Director of the Konkani Speaking Community at the Lady of Rosary parish here.
The evening began with a rendition of a beautiful Konkani hymn in honour of Mother Mary by the children’s choir group which was followed by dance to the tunes of Konkani hymn ‘Khainsar asa Mog by MCC members’.
The dance was choreographed by Shalini Monteiro. MCC president Sunil D’Silva then extended a formal welcome the guests as well as the gathering before Doha’s popular singing couple Vincent and Nina Fernandes presented the melodious number ‘Don Kallzan Eik Zalim’ which was accompanied by a scintillating dance by Doha’s young elegant dancers trained by Effey Noronha.
MCC President Sunil D'Silva escorted guests to the dais, while Joint cultural secretary Prabha Rego conducted the formal function of felicitating the academic achievers and Eucharistic ministers. Chief guest Melwyn D’Cunha felicitated Florent D’Souza, Sana Britto, Christina Williams, Chris Rodrigues, Glen D'Souza, Brian Danthy, Rupal Aroza and Ronson Fernandes who have excelled in the academics and have made the Mangalorean community proud. Fr Anand Castelino honoured Eucharistic ministers of Mangalorean origin who have been rendering selfless and dedicated service to the parish.
After the felicitation, Richard D’Souza, the immediate past president of MCC introduced chief guest of the evening Melwyn D’Cunha to the gathering. MCC president Sunil D’Silva felicitated Melwyn D’Cunha by draping him with a shawl and presenting a memento. Acknowledging honour given by MCC, Melwyn said that he was indeed proud about the achievements of MCCs, Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) Qatar and Mangalore Catholic Cooperative bank (MCC) and their service to Mangaloreans. While highlighting the performances of MCC bank, Melwyn who has turned the fortunes of the bank through efficient management and organizations skills eversince he took over as the chairman of the bank four years ago, he said that he and his team wants to make MCC as the number one cooperative bank in Karnataka. He also sought the support of Mangaloreans in Qatar towards realizing this dream.
The dynamic and popular spiritual director of Konkani Speaking Community Fr Anand Castelino in his address praised the efforts of MCC Qatar in promoting culture and traditions and playing an important role strengthening the filial bonds among the Mangalorean Catholic expatriates in Qatar.
Thereafter Fr Anand Castelino invoked God’s blessings on the Roce prepared with the new corns and the same was distributed the entire gathering. Mr. Rizwan Zaffari of Empire Estates Bangalore, MCC president Sunil D’Silva, Vice-president Ronald Saldhana too were also present on the dais.
The cultural programme had something for everyone in the gathering with melodious live singing by Qatar’s popular, young singers Vincent-Nina Fernandes, Rupal Aroza, Remy D’Souza, Harry Correa, Alphonse D’Silva and Sana Britto, scintillating dances choreographed by Shalini Monteiro, Effey Noronha, Anthony D’Souza, Sana Britto and Prabha Rego and rib-tickling comedy by Arthur Serrao, William Thoras & Arun D’Souza. The participants of SOAD-3 International too entertained the gathering with the soulful singing.
The main emcees for the cultural programme of the evening were Remy D’Souza and Dorothy Noronha who with their fluent Konkani and enthusiasm kept the audience engaged in the activities that happened on stage. MCC cultural secretary Prabha Rego was the compare for the stage programme. Prakash Noronha proposed the vote of thanks. The whole programme was coordinated by Cultural Secretary Riana Pinto.
Bingo and raffle draw were the other attractions of the evening. The raffle draw winners had exciting prizes in store such as return ticket to India on Jet Airways, free stay for family in exotic resorts in Goa etc.
The evening came to an end with the traditional sumptuous Novem Jevann with the recitation of "Laudate Domino'.
Earlier during the day, more than 50 volunteers gathered at the residence of Jerry and Leena D’Mello. The efforts of the volunteers paid off and the delicious home-cooked food was appreciated by one and all.
After the felicitation, Richard D’Souza, the immediate past president of MCC introduced chief guest of the evening Melwyn D’Cunha to the gathering. MCC president Sunil D’Silva felicitated Melwyn D’Cunha by draping him with a shawl and presenting a memento. Acknowledging honour given by MCC, Melwyn said that he was indeed proud about the achievements of MCCs, Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) Qatar and Mangalore Catholic Cooperative bank (MCC) and their service to Mangaloreans.
While highlighting the performances of MCC bank, Melwyn who has turned the fortunes of the bank through efficient management and organizations skills eversince he took over as the chairman of the bank four years ago, he said that he and his team wants to make MCC as the number one cooperative bank in Karnataka. He also sought the support of Mangaloreans in Qatar towards realizing this dream.
The dynamic and popular spiritual director of Konkani Speaking Community Fr Anand Castelino in his address praised the efforts of MCC Qatar in promoting culture and traditions and playing an important role strengthening the filial bonds among the Mangalorean Catholic expatriates in Qatar.
Thereafter Fr Anand Castelino invoked God’s blessings on the Roce prepared with the new corns and the same was distributed the entire gathering. Rizwan Zaffari of Empire Estates Bangalore, MCC president Sunil D’Silva, Vice-president Ronald Saldhana too were also present on the dais.
The cultural programme had something for everyone in the gathering with melodious live singing by Qatar’s popular, young singers Vincent-Nina Fernandes, Rupal Aroza, Remy D’Souza, Harry Correa, Alphonse D'Silva and Sana Britto, scintillating dances choreographed by Shalini Monteiro, Effey Noronha, Anthony D’Souza, Sana Britto and Prabha Rego and rib-tickling comedy by Arthur Serrao, William Thoras & Arun D"Souza. The participants of SOAD-3 International too entertained the gathering with the soulful singing.
The main emcees for the cultural programme of the evening were Remy D’Souza and Dorothy Noronha who with their fluent Konkani and enthusiasm kept the audience engaged in the activities that happened on stage. MCC cultural secretary Prabha Rego was the compare for the stage programme. Prakash Noronha proposed the vote of thanks.
Bingo and lucky draw were the other attractions of the evening. The lucky draw winners had exciting prizes in store such as return ticket to India on Jet Airways, free stay for family in exotic resorts in Goa etc
.
The evening came to an end with the traditional sumptuous Novem Jevann with the recitation of "Laudate Domino'.
Earlier during the day, more than 50 volunteers gathered at the residence of Jerry and Leena D’Mello. The efforts of the volunteers paid off and the delicious home-cooked food was appreciated by one and all.