Report by Vinod Lewis & Pictures by Prem Crasto
Kuwait, Sep 16: The Nativity Feast of Our Blessed Mary, we all fondly call as 'Monthi Fest' was celebrated with devotion and grandeur by Kuwait Brahmavar Welfare association (KBWA) community with their family and friends on 14th September 2012 at Indian Community School, Khaitan.
This is the consecutive 4th year KBWA has organized the Monthi Fest on a grand scale to provide an opportunity to all Brahmavargaars to meet and celebrate the Monthi fest with Traditional flavor. The programme commenced with the opening address by MC Deepak Andrade to join the prayer service. The Mother Mary statue and new crop was brought in procession with signing hymns. Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Souza blessed the new crop along with the singing of “Moreik Hogolsia” “Sakkad Sangata Melyan”. The new corn mixed with flavored milk was served to the entire guest as a symbol of thanks giving for providing us the gift of new corn.
Chief guest Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Souza (Vicar St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Brahmavar), specially flown from India to celebrate this feast, visiting priest Rev. Fr. William Andrade, Provincial, Carmalite, Bangalore, Rev. Fr. George C. Varghese (Associate Vicar St . Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait), Fr. Noel Almeida (Asst. Parish Priest Our Lady of Arabia Church, Ahmadi, Kuwait) were the guest of honors of the programme.
Committee members Cyril DSouza, Florine Lewis, Gladys D Silva, L. J. D’Souza escorted the guests to the dais and were offered bouquets by our little children. The guest of honors along with the committee members lighted the lamp. Florine Lewis extended warm welcome to all the guests present. KBWA theme song was sung by the members of the association.
The main sponsor of the event Mr. Alfred Lewis & partners and other dignitaries were felicitated by offering bouquet as a mark of respect for their generosity. The treasurer Thomas D’Souza presented the brief report of the activities of the association, highlighting the donations given to the worthy causes during the past years.
Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Souza in his Sandesh highlighted the significance of Monthi Fest and complimented the association for organizing the festival in a grand manner. Other guests of honors also gave their brief Festive message and expressed their happiness for being part of the celebrations.
Hon. President Cyril D’Souza in his address took us to the memory lane by briefly touching the journey of the association for the last four years and how the members cooperated and supported the organization by their contributions and efforts. Especially president was appreciative of the members for their generous contributions to organize the Monthi Fest in grand scale and the popularity of the event. Vice President L. J. D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks.
The variety of cultural programmes were performed by talented children entertained the audience with their scintillating performances. Our ladies organized the Fashion show, and the meaningful skit was performed by Maxim and Prakash and Dombarata by Johnson D’Souza & party.
It was the time for “Family Meal” and as per our Mangalorean tradition vegetarian meal was served on banana leaves with variety of vegetables like Alu Dento, Tendli Chana, Alsando, Bendi and Vorn. Brahmavargaars signature item “Fish Curry”and “Kuvalo Bafat” was the highlight of the lunch which was appreciated by one and all. More than 700 guests were present on the occasion and thanked the organization for recreating the native Monthi Fest celebration atmosphere. Sugarcane was distributed to the children.
Raffle draw was organized and attractive prizes were distributed to the lucky winners. MC Deepak Andrade brilliantly compared the programme and distributed generous spot prizes those who answered the interesting Biblical Quiz questions.
Everybody danced their feet to the thrilling music, where as dj Sudhi kept the momentum of the event lively. The Sound and lights during the whole event were under the complete control of Samson of Illuminations.