Noel / Priya - Kuwait
Clarence / Dilip - Muscat
Daijiworld Media Network

Kuwait / Muscat, Oct 21: After a hugely successful third season of the most popular reality show in Konkani, Gulf Voice of Mangalore, hosted by Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), winners Orson D'Souza and Reena D'Souza received a rousing welcome in their respective countries of residence. The grand finale was held in Doha on Friday October 19.

In Kuwait, about 70 people waited for more than an hour outside the airport to welcome their new singing hero, young and ever-smiling Orson D'Souza, who made Mangaloreans in Kuwait proud by winning the Gulf Voice of Mangalore crown, which includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lac.

Orson, accompanied by Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues, the founders of GVOM, arrived at Kuwait airport late on Saturday October 20 night. He was also accompanied by Wilson Saldanha, Rita Rodrigues, GVOM female finalist Lavina D'Souza and other supportes who attended the finale in Doha.

"There was a festive atmosphere when QR 136 - Qatar Airways landed in Kuwait airport on Saturday night.  Even though the flight was delayed by more than one hour due to a technical fault, a huge crowd was waiting for Orson – the winner of the male category of GVOM-3.  He was received by the management committee members of various organizations in Kuwait such as Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), United Mangloreans Kuwait (UMK) as well as friends and family at the Kuwait international airport.  The scene of cheers and screams at the airport was really memorable.  Thanks to Kuwait airport management and security for not stopping or disturbing the celebration," said Lawrence Pinto, speaking to daijiworld at Kuwait airport

Speaking to daijiworld Orson gave the credit for his victory to Jaison Lasrado, Joy Fernandes and Kiran Gonsalves who trained him on a daily basis to bring him to this level.  He also thanked Rony D’Cunha, Ashley D’Silva and Socoro D’Mello for their support.  He appreciated GVOM Kuwait organizers for focusing on budding talents and MCA for giving an international stage. "Even if one is born in Gulf and struggles to speak one's mother tongue Konkani due to the influence of surroundings, one can achieve the goal with dedication, hard work and practice. Inspired by GVOM 2008 and 2010, I started to learn and speak Konkani and succeeded in achieving goal," he said.

Many organizations have planned felicitation programmes to honour the winners in the coming days.

Muscat

Reena D'Souza, who became a singing idol around the Gulf soon after winning the Gulf Voice of Mangalore in the female category, was accorded a warm welcome at Muscat Airport on Saturday night.

She was accompained by Stany Fernandes, senior MCCP member and popular Mangalorean in Muscat, along with Apolinaris D'Souza, GVOM finalst Morvine, Montica Dantes and others. She was also accompanied by her husbad.

Her family, relatives and well-wishers were waiting to welcome her at the airport

Speaking to daijiworld she said, "I would like to thank God Almighty for showering His blessings upon me. Also, I would like to thank my parents and my in-laws for their blessings, my sisters for their support and my husband for his encouragement to participate in this GVOM 3 competition. Thanks to MCCP - Oman and the entire Mangalorean community for their support, prayers, blessings and motivation.

"Special thanks to Apolinaris D'Souza and Oswald D'Souza, Valencia for the guidance and training given to me, their continuous support which boosted my confidence level to participate in this GVOM-3. Thanks to the organizers of Qatar (MCA- Qatar), specially Veena Pais nee Rebimbus who gave me support whenever I needed it. The warm welcome at Doha Airport and the arrangements made for our stay were all superb. Also, I would like to thank the Mangalorean community in Qatar for their hearty welcome."

MCCP has planned a felicitation programme for Reena in the coming days.