Report by Vinod Lewis
Pics by Prem Crasto
Sep 13: Kuwait Brahmavar Welfare association (KBWA) celebrated ‘Monthi Fest' birthday of Our beloved Mother Mary with devotion and grandeur on 9th September at Indian Community School, Khaitan.
For the past eight yearsKBWA has been organizing theMonthiFest on a grand scale to provide an opportunity to all Brahmavargaars to celebrate the Monthi fest with Traditional flavor recreating the fond memories of the Monthi Fest celebration in our native place.
Master of Ceremony Walter Santhmayor gave a brief introduction about the programme and welcomed all the dignitaries and guests. The programme commenced with singing the Theme song of the association. The New Corn was brought in procession with singing of hymns. Fr. C A Issac Vicar St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church Brahmavar with other priests blessed the new corn. All children enthusiastically participated in offering the flowers to Mother Mary.
Fr. C A Issac, Fr. Baptist Menezes, Fr. Fredrick Braggs, Fr Noel Almeida, Parish Priest, Abbasiya, Kuwait, Fr. Anthony Lopex, Fr Raju Thomas, Vicar St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait, Fr. Rejigger C Varghese Associate Vicar St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait, Deacon Sylvester D’Souza were the guest of honours of the programme.
Presidentescorted the gueststo the dais. The guestson the dais lighted the lamp. President Gretta D’Souza extended warm welcome to all the guests present and expressed her gratitude for the support and cooperation extended. The invited dignitaries and sponsor of the event were felicitated with a bouquet of flowers 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 events of the past year and donations given to the worthy causes.
Meritorious children of the association were felicitated with presenting the certificate of merit.
Fr C.A. Issac and Fr. Fredrick Braggs in theirkey 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.Vice President Roney Lewis proposed the vote of thanks.
Fr. Baptist Menezes, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese who just landed in Kuwait, was kind enough to attend the function in spite of their busy schedule and passed on the beautiful Nativity message from Bishop of Udupi Diocese Dr. Gerald Lobo.
The variety of cultural programmes, were performed by talented childrenand members of the association and children from Ballerines Dance Group.
It was the time for “Family Meal” and 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 AluDento, Tendli - chana, Padvalem and Dal, Beans, Kuvalo Bafat and Vorn. Brahmavargaars signature item home cooked “Fish Curry”was the highlight of thelunch and appreciated by one and all. More than 750 guests were present on the occasion and thanked the organization for recreating the Monthi Fest celebration in native flavour.
Raffle draw was organized and attractive prizes were distributed to the lucky winners. MC Walter brilliantly compared the programme and distributed generous spot prizes those who answered the interesting Biblical and religious Quiz questions.