Dubai: Memorable SMKC Day spreads joy aplenty
Anna D'Cruz and Jennifer Mascarenhas
Dubai, Nov 10: The clear skies and gentle breeze of the pleasant November season was beckoning one and all to an outing to the Zabeel Park arena from where the panoramic background of Dubai skyscrapers and landmark, the Burj Al Khalifa, could be viewed. Enjoying the early pleasant weather outdoor, the 500-plus crowd started flowing steadily towards Zabeel Park to join in the fun with SMKC Dubai.
The weather turned out to be an ideal setting for the Family Fun Day on Friday November 8 at Zabeel Park, Dubai, organized by St Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) Dubai. The day was reserved for a get together for family and friends, young and old and all joined together as one large family of the Konkan world.
The programme began at sharp 10.15 am. Sr Irene Noronha, headmistress of St Anne’s School on a visit from Mangalore enroute from Holy Land tour started with a prayer followed by Veronica Rego, president, SMKC Dubai extending a warm and cordial welcome to one and all.
For the first time, “Friday Farmer's Market” concept was introduced at the Fun Day. Jumble sale of juices, chocolates and other goodies was done at nominal prices. To get the crowd into action, the warm-up games were conducted by Godwin Rodrigues and Jennifer Mascarenhas. SMKC volunteers got into action with “Last Man on Paradise, Mala O Mala, Pagdi (turban)" dance. Signatures, cartoon character for kids, SMKC website and Spice world competitions went on in the morning side by side. Separate games for children of different age groups were conducted - Pick the Loot for 0-2 years, Run Rabbit Run for 3-7 years, Cookie Slip to eat for 8-13 years, Balloon Wave - Over and Under Pass for teens.
As mid-noon approached, the crowd enthusiastically got divided into 4 teams – S (Sky blue - Sunktaa Bhenda), M – Mangalorean, K (Kubhay Mutling) C – Creative Minds. Colorful ribbons were distributed to distinguish the members of the respective groups and the team was then asked to select their team captains. Group games ‘S M K C has Talent’, competitions such as Airport Destinations, Modki Puttuchey, Pop Corn Swayamvara, Laughing Gas (mad ads based on eco friendly issues) were conducted.
Piping hot sumptuous Mangalorean lunch was relished by all. Fr Melwin D’cunha, Carmelite from Mangalore led the grace before meals.
The highlight of the evening were many:
- “Lungi Dance” when the enthusiastic youngsters and oldies just lifted their lungies and danced their blues away.
- Children’s fancy dress competition where the young kids were dressed as skeleton, pirates, water drop, Disney world, Halloween, Rajasthani, Arabic gent and lady, sun, omelet stole the hearts of people gathered.
- “World Citizens Parade” was a hit, with the whole group parading and dancing around the park to the tune of “Harry’s Band”.
The final winners were K group (Kale Green – Kubai Mutling ) and S – Sky Blue – Suukta Bhenda (runner-up) teams. Winners were selected for each category of games, judged by prominent persons - Sr Irene Noronha, Shobha Mendonca, Maria D’souza and Shane D’souza.
Auction of remaining goodies after sale was done when the benevolent James Mendonca, Reliable Fabricators bidded straight away. Late evening, Bingo was conducted by Alwyn Pinto to the full attention of the big crowd. Food hampers by Spinneys, food stuff from Al Sharq Al Aqssa Trading Est and Emirates Macaroni factory, Beauty Vouchers by Bint Al Mulooq and Queen Crown, various electronic and household items donated by Wonder Chain Trading Co and SMKC members themselves, were given away to the winners. Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Shipping did the honour of giving away the prizes to children and adults and team winners.
Lots of spot prizes were given away for the youngest / oldest person during the whole day of fun and frolic.
The proceeds of the entire event will be distributed to three of many Adhoc projects in the hands of SMKC Dubai:
- Snehalaya Project, Thalapady, Mangalore
- St Joseph Church construction at Sagar, Shimoga (Fr Venus Colaco)
- The Cheshire Home, Mangalore
The entire programme was compered by Godwin and Jennifer in Konkani, Hindi and English to suit the young and old. Alwyn Pinto acting as a clown entertained the little children and also the adults. DJ Wendell pumped up the adrenaline of the crowd with energy and enthusiasm by playing non-stop music from morning until dusk with baila at the end. As usual crowd was reluctant to go home asking for more foot tapping music on the lush green grass.
Evening high tea was served at 4.15 pm and everyone left having thoroughly enjoyed the fun and frolic of the picnic organized by the St Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) Dubai until 6 pm.
The crowd was in full praise for the disciplined, well organized Family Fun Day. Some even showed the bag full of gifts and goodies that they were carrying home for their participation in various games and team fun.
It turned out to be as announced “one large community, one big family, one special fun day” which served the dual purpose “to wipe tears and bring more smiles” this year.
For over 12 years, SMKC has reached out to many, especially deserving students to help them take up higher professional courses. This year many had approached the organization and SMKC Dubai had conducted two other events during year 2013: 'SMKC Cares' on March 22 (Lenten season) to reach out event to the labour camp in Al Quoz; and 'Surf n Care' in June through advertisement of sponsors’ company name and profile on the dedicated website www.konkanuae.com.
Funds were raised to top up the “SMKC Dubai Education Trust Fund” whereby engineers, doctors, MBA students are educated by paying their annual academic fees of Rs 50,000 each year per student. In order to avoid big expenses and hassle of conducting an actual event in Dubai, the amount was raised just for education of such students through generous sponsors who have backed the organization for over 12 years since its inception in October 2001.