Report by Vinod Lewis & pics by Prem Crasto

Kuwait, Sep 16 : The birthday of Our beloved Mother Mary 'Monthi Fest' was celebrated with devotion and grandeur by Kuwait Brahmavar Welfare association (KBWA) community with their family and friends on 13th September at Indian Community School, Khaitan.
For the past five yea KBWA has been organizing  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 a call by MC Deepak Andrade to join the prayer service. The New Corn along with the Statue of Mother May was brought in procession with singing hymns. Rev. Fr. Joel D’Souza blessed the new corn with the singing of “Moreik Hogoslia” and “Sokkod Sangata Melyan”. The new corn mixed with flavoured milk was served to all the guest as a symbol of thanks giving for providing us the gift of new corn.

Rev. Fr. Joel D’ Souza visiting priest from Mangalore, Rev. Fr Jose Mathew (Vicar St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait), Fr. Noel Almeida (Parish Priest St. Daniel Comboni church, Abbasiya, Kuwait) Rev. Fr. Wilson Mathew  (St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait) were the guest of honours of the programme.
President escorted the guests to the dais and were offered bouquets by our Little children. The guest of honours along with the President lighted the lamp. Joint Secretary Mrs. Florine Lewis extended warm welcome to all the guests present. The invited dignitaries and our main sponsor of the event Mr. Alfred Lewis were felicitated by offering bouquet as a mark of respect for their generosity.

KBWA theme song was sung by the members of the association

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. Joel D’ Souza in his key note address congratulated KBWA members for organizing the Monti Fest on grand scale and invited everyone to show our devotion to our Heavenly mother. Other guests of honours also gave their brief message highlighting the importance of this festival and expressed their happiness for being part of the celebrations.

Rev. Fr. Noel Almeida felicitated the meritorious children of our members Ms. Velda Ruth, Lenson Paul who excelled in their academics and Mr. Arun Avil for achieving Guinness World record for emptying the tooth paste tube using one hand in less than six seconds.  Rev. Fr. Wilson Mathew presented the mementos to Mrs. Prema Saldanha and Mr. Leo D’ Souza for  achieving the highest sales of Raffle tickets.

Our Founder President and the consecutive President for the past 5 years, Mr. Cyril D’Souza was felicitated by Rev. Fr. Jose Mathew by presenting shawl. Mrs. Gretta D’ Souza read the “Mann Potr” in honour Mr. D’ Souza highlighting his contributions during the past years and expressing the gratitude on behalf of all members of the association.

Hon. President in his emotional address thanked all the members for their support and contributions during all these years and also urged members to take active part in the activities of the association and work for the betterment of the association. Vice President L J D’ Souza proposed the vote of thanks.

The variety of cultural programmes, were performed by talented children and members of the association. Besides dances, comedy skits, Mangalore special Koraga Dance was the main attraction of the programme.

It was the time for “Family Meal” and Rev. Fr. Noel D’ Almeida conducted the Grace before meals. As per our Mangalorean Tradition vegetarian meal was served on banana leaves with variety of vegetables like Alu Dento, Tendli Chana, Beans, Bhendi and Vorn. Brahmavargaars signature item home cooked “Fish Curry” and “Kuvalo Bafat” was the sought after menu of the lunch and appreciated by one and all. More than 650 guests were present on the occasion and thanked the organization for recreating the Monthi Fest celebration in native atmosphere.

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.