Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (NR)
News & Pics: Sujay Bendore
Dubai, Dec 23: On Friday Dec 21st 2007, the Konkani Saraswat community of the Emirates who hail from the west coast of Karnataka assembled at the Emirates English speaking school in Dubai to celebrate their third anniversary.
The Samaj aims at promoting and fostering community spirit within the "amchees" by bonding them together to work and contribute towards the general welfare of all the members of the samaj based in the UAE. The forum would also provide them with opportunities to collectively help those needy members of the community back home whether in education or any other social causes like marriages, health care etc. The association aspires to basically help the people in their hour of need, when they are away from their homeland.
The day's activity started at 9 am with registration and pleasant breakfast The cultural fiesta started at 10 am with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the president Subhash Shanbhougue, Ramchandra Hegde, the vice president and Shailesh Shenoy, the secretary alongwith other committee members and a prayer by Chaitra Nayak and Sabitha Shenoy.
Basti Vaman Shenoy and Baliga of Kodyal Khabar were present at the function.
The entertainment programme, which was anchored by Sanjay Shenoy and Prashant Shenoy in the first half, consisting of a cool mixture of skits, Konkani qawwali and dances. The program came alive with a superp tabla recital by Manoj Acharya , a disciple of Ustad Zakir Hussein. Harish Pai and Sadhana Mallya enthralled the audience with their karaoke singing. There was a beautiful musical skit 'Ashtalaxmi' directed by Veena Pai and performed by children aged between 6 and 10 years.
The second half which was anchored by Shailesh Shenoy had a program which was like an icing on the cake for the day. It was a psychic entertainment program by Nakul Shenoy called 'Beyond Magic. Nakul performed unbelievable acts of mind reading and other psychic feats which had the audiences captivated by him for nearly an hour. The second half also had a couple of energetic dance performed by the children and adults from Abu Dhabi. A comedy skit ' Launch of Anchi TV channel – Patholi 7' had the audience in splits. 46 children and nearly 15 adults performed at the function.
Scholastic & non-scholastic meritorious awards were given to the children of the Samaj. The sponsors were called on stage and honoured by giving a bouquet. Subash Shanbhogue alongwith Veena Shanbhogue was honoured for his dynamic leadership in the first three years of the Samaj's existence. Aruna Kamath was honoured for her excellent support and contribution to the committee and samaj activities.
The lunch was traditional and very sumptuous with every member joining the fellowship while eating. The 'BIG GIFT SHOW' with attractive prizes created lot of excitement and enthusiasm.
Vice president Mr.Ramchandra Hegde proposed the vote of thanks.The days cultural programs were co ordinated by the secretary Shailesh Shenoy with the support of Aruna Kamath and Anil Nayak. It was heartening to note that nearly 600 members of the community had assembled and throroughly enjoyed every bit of this family get together.