Media Release

Bahrain, Feb 1: Konkani Kutam Bahrain in its endeavour to promote and keep Konkani language and culture alive in the heart and minds of people from the costal Karnataka hosted its annual Singing and Elocution Competition for children on Friday January 29 at the Papillion Restaurant party hall. The Konkani Kutam Bahrain annual Singing and Elocution Competition presently in its 15th year saw 62 children contesting, and the participation has been increasing year after year.

The competition was spearheaded by Ronald Fernandes as the event coordinator and was ably compered by popular Konkani writer Walter Dantis and well supported by Avinash Fernandes and Nirmala Pinto. Henry D’Almeida, the convenor in his message mentioned that Konkani Kutam Bahrain was proud to promote Konkani language and culture in Bahrain and elsewhere through its involvement in various activities and praised the efforts of individuals and organizations that promote Konkani language and culture.

Both the singing as well as elocution competition comprised of three categories of 4 to 8 years, 8 to 12 years and 12 to 18 years.

Winners

Singing

Age group: 4 to 8 years

I prize - Delisha Joanna Fernandes
II prize - Sweeta V Corda
III prize - Evan Alex Sequeira

Age group 8 to 12 years

I prize – Lareena Quadros
II prize – Nikitha Fernandes
III prize – Ayona Gloria Rodrigues

Age group 12 to 18 years

I prize - Melissa Martis
II prize - Orville Anthony Sequeira
III prize - Shreyal Vaz

 
Elocution

Age group 4 to 8 years

I prize – Ziona Aptha Franco
II prize – Arline Magdalen Rodrigues
III prize – Delisha Joanna Fernandes

Age group 8 to 12 years

I prize - Sujal Vaz
II prize –Stafney Valentina Fernandes
III prize –Alston Shaun Fernandes

Age group 12 to 18 years

I prize –Rowyn Fernandes
II prize - Melissa Martis
III prize - Shreyal Vaz

Winners were given away certificates of merit, prizes and medals. Certificates of participation and consolation prizes were given to all participants. The singing competition was judged by popular chorister Richard Pais, and ace guitarist from Band Aryan Fame, Sheer Magic and Expat Swibert Mascarenhas. The elocution competition was judged by popular public speaker and former district and division governor at the Indian Club Toastmaster Bahrain Philip D’Mello and another popular public speaker and former area governor at Karnataka Club Toastmaster Bahrain Joseph Andrade.

A stand-up comedy act was performed by Aeron Franco and a comedy skits was performed by Stany D’Souza, Sujay Pinto, Avinash Fernandes and Ajay Lobo during the intervals.

Ronald Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks followed by sumptuous buffet dinner served by Papillion Restaurant to everyone present.