Gerry D’Mello

Daijiworld Media Network - Canada

Toronto, Dec 8: Manohar Pais, one of the dynamic and highly talented Konkani personalities outside India, has been unanimously elected as the president of ‘The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC)’ for the term 2017-2018 during its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held on Sunday, November 20 at Sts Martha and Mary Parish, Mississauga, Canada.

Radio Mango Award winner Manohar Pais is gifted with enormous talents and was groomed as an artiste at the St Francis Xavier Parish of Bejai, Mangaluru. Before moving to Dubai in search of greener pastures, he was actively involved on Konkani stage in Mangaluru, from the year 1977 for over 15 years. During this period, he acted in over 30 plays in various parishes in Mangaluru such as Passion Play during Lent, Inter Parish drama competitions, Fund raising programs, and other commemorating events.

As an eloquent and highly popular Master of Ceremonies, he has conducted over 500 functions and wedding receptions in various parts of South Kanara. As a teenager when he was just 17, he compered a full musical show at Town Hall Mangaluru for Paradela Bejai. Not only in various parts of India, he also performed as MC in the Middle East for the great Konkani musical shows of renowned Konkani music personalities like the late Wilfy Rebimbus, Melwyn Peris, Claud D’Souza, Rang Tarang Geet Mala, Patrao Bros, Henry D’Souza, Lawrence Saldanha during the musical nites organized by Mangalore Konkans Dubai and KCO in Abu Dhabi.

Manohar, who is gifted with a silken voice, has won many accolades in inter-parish competitions as a singer organized by the Konkani Natak Sabha in Mangaluru. As an actor and director par-excellence, Manohar has won several prizes in drama and fancy dress competitions including the best actor prize in All India level Konkani drama competition organized by Rangabhumi, Udupi in 1990. He directed, acted and staged the most successful ‘classic Konkani play ‘Tho Maka Naka’ in 2006 in Dubai. The DVDs of this stage play are still in great demand. After moving to Canada he has written, directed and staged four religious plays namely Fatima Saibhin, Ankwar Moriyechin Ajapan, Sontasache Mister and Anandache Mister staged during Monthi Fest festivities in Mississauga. He also directed and played a lead role in the recently staged play Kazarachi Dotorn. By profession Manohar is a banker and during the helm of his career he served Citibank NA in the Middle East reaching Senior Executive Level Positions (VP & CFO).

The MAC had very fruitful years during 2015-2016, a real drive towards unity among Mangalureans in the GTA and within Canada and a keen passion to keep the flame of culture and traditions burning brightly especially through the most cherished Nativity Feast (Monthi Fest). The members owe a huge debt of gratitude to the outgoing President, Maxim D’Mello and EC, who have served the Mangalurean community tirelessly by promoting MAC in the GTA and within Canada.

The MAC AGM started with a Prayer led by the Spiritual Director Fr. Edwin D’Souza followed by the welcome address by the incumbent president Maxim D’Mello. He extended a warm welcome to the members who attended in large numbers. He expressed his joy on the completion of the successful tenure and applauded exiting members of the Executive Committee for their dedication and hard-work. He thanked all the sponsors who have generously supported the Association. The former MAC President Ronald Fernandes, Pamela Soans and Prescilla D’Mello ably handled the rest of the proceedings of AGM.

General Secretary Reynold Sequeira presented the Annual Report for the year ended 2016. The Report rewound the memories of the audience to the happy times they spent together both indoors and outdoors during the past year.

Joel Lewis, the Treasurer, one of the most committed and dedicated members of MAC, presented the Financial Report of the association. This was followed by the Auditor’s report. Certified Financial Report by the Auditor Reginald Fernandes presented by Ivan Lobo. Prescilla D’Souza presented the details on the membership drive.

And so, the formation of the new Executive Committee for the upcoming year was the main highlight of the day. The members of the new Executive Committee for the year 2017–2018 are the following:

Spiritual Director : Fr. Edwin D'Souza
President : Manohar Pais
Vice president : Melwyn Menezes
General Secretary : Cynthie Fernandes
Joint Secretary : Olivia Moras
Treasurer : Louis Pereira
Assistant Treasurer : Prescilla D'Souza
Cultural Coordinator : Ronald Monteiro
Sports Coordinator : Olwin Pereira
Public Relations Coordinator : Manoj D’Cunha
Liturgical Facilitator : Nina Crasta
Web Master : Leonard Crasta
Auditor : Ivan Lobo

The AGM concluded by leaving the members to look forward for exhilarating events organized by the energetic, talented and vibrant EC team under the dynamic leadership of Manohar Pais.