Alphonse Mendonsa
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Oct 26: In an overall performance, ICYM Thottam were declared the champs of Yuva Mell, Gadya Khell - a day in the paddy field, organized by ICYM Kera, St Theresa parish on October 23. ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri walked away with the runner up trophies.
This unique festival of folk games was organized by ICYM Unit Kera in association with Udupi Diocesan and Deanery Youth Commission. The day's games in the paddy field began with a procession at 9.30 am from Achutta Shetty’s house to the specially built stage for the occasion. The dignitaries for the day were welcomed by flower girls and drums by Nasik Band.
The dignitaries present for the inaugural function were dhief guest of the day Fr Baptist Menezes (vicar general – Udupi Diocese), Fr Joswi Fernandes (vicar Vardo–Karkal deanery), Siju Ambat (national ICYM president), Fr Sunil Di Silva (ICYM director Karkal Deanery), Acchanna Shetty (Jogibettu – donor paddy fields), Ivan Christine D’Souza (main sponsor), Shaila Menezes (animator, ICYM Kera ), Ajit Hegde (president Malla Gram Panchayat), Soubhagya Madiwala (member Karkala Gram Panchayat), Elsi D’Souza (animator ICYM Karkal Deanery), Valida Mendonsa (ICYM Karnataka), Loyal D’Souza (president, ICYM Udupi Diocese), Frankline D’Silva (president ICYM Karkala Deanery), Rohit D’Mello (president, ICYM Kera unit), Denzil Mascarenhas (secretary – ICYM Kera), Fr Pascal Menezes (parish priest, St Teresa Church Kera).
The inaugural function began with a prayer song by members of ICYM Kera unit namely Reena Mascarenhas, Roshni and Ashika D’Silva. This was followed by a warm welcome by Loyal D’Souza (president, ICYM Udupi Diocese). All the dignitaries on the dais were felicitated with flowers. Fr Joswi Fernandes flagged off the games.
Acchanna Shetty was felicitated by Fr Baptist Menezes and other dignitaries on the dais, with a traditional shawl, flowers, fruit basket and a citation for donating his land for the paddy field sports.
Msgr Baptist Menezes in his presidential address reminded the participants that they are Indians and to play games with a sportsman's spirit and in unity. He thanked Achutta Anna and his family for donating the fields to the youth for these great traditional folk games.
ICYM member Ashika D'Silva, delivered the vote of thanks. Siju Ambat officially declared the games open by tossing the volley ball to the players on the field.
It was a fun filled day as participants as well as supporters enjoyed the unique paddy field games namely Poilvi race, 5-leg race, Dum Lag Ke Race, followed by Phyramid, volleyball, Throwball and the most exiting tug-of-war between the different ward parishioners. In the team games, volleyball ICYM Pernal were the winners in the finals and ICYM Thottam were the runners. In the throwball competition, ICYM Kolalgiri emerged winners and ICYM Kemmannu, came out as runners. In the Pyramid round, Thottam came out first, Pamboor second and Kalattur third. In tug-of-war; Kolalgiri emerged first and Pamboor second.
Fr Jerome Monteiro, parish priest – Miyar presided over the valedictory function and the concluding ceremony. ICYM president Rohit welcomed the gathering. Fr Jerome in his concluding note Congratulated, thanked and praised all the youth for organizing and participating in the nature loving games.
All the animators, coordinators, sponsors, referees were honoured with a memento each for their selfless service. Fr Pascal Menezes said that initially he did not want to organize this mammoth Gadya Khell in his small parish having a small unit of ICYM members. However, the ICYM members wanted to organize it and promised its success. He was proud of how they proved themselves by conducting the games successfully and wonderfully. He applauded them for their wonderful job and invited all of them to the dais for a group photo. He also congratulated all the teams and participants and organizers for coming from far and enjoying the Ek Dis Gadyant Khellyam.
Denzil Mascarenhas proposed the vote of thanks. Siju Ambat read out the names of the winners of the various games held throughout the day. Derrick Mascarenhas, compered the closing ceremony. The final moment arrived when the champions of the champions were declared. Loyal D’Souza announced the final winners. ICYM Thottam emerged the overall champions scoring 23 points whereas ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri units were tied at 18 points each and hence it was decided to give both the team’s runner up trophies. The organizers took lots for the runner up trophy which was ready and in the lot, ICYM bagged the chance to take the trophy. ICYM Pamboor will be given another trophy shortly the organizers promised.
All the winners of the various categories were honoured with mementos by Fr Jerome Monteiro.
In the valedictory function Sudhakar Shetty (member of taluk Panchayat Karkala), Celestine Menezes (member Mala Panchayat), Fr Edwin D’Souza (director ICYM Udupi Diocese), Siju Ambat, Fr Sunil Di Silva, Shaila Menezes, Elsi D’Souza, Valida Mendonsa, Loyal D’Souza, Frankline D’Silva, Rohit D’Mello, Denzil Mascarenhas, Fr Pascal Menezes were present.
The entire Gadya Khell was wonderfully and successfully organized by ICYM Unit (Kera St Theresa parish). The event was compered by Derrick Mascarenhas (former ICYM president Udupi Diocese), Crystal Mascarenhas (ICYM Kera), Komal D’Souza (ICYM Kera), Jestan Fernandes (ICYM Kera).
This fun-filled Gadya Khell(A day in the paddy Field) day ended with distribution of Champions trophies to the winners by Fr Jersome Monteiro and concluded at around 6 pm.