Doha: MCA to Present 'Mhataro Chorbela' Konkani Play on May 15
Media Release
Doha, Apr 2: The first Annual General Body meeting of the Mangalore Cultural Association Doha Qatar was held at the Indian Center Qatar recently. The meeting started with one minute silent prayer as a mark of respect to the departed soul of Devin Walder a member of MCA who passed away in a tragic accident at the panamboor beach in Mangalore.
The cultural secretary Arthur Pais conducted the program and gave a brief introduction about the incredible task done by the association in just one year’s time. Dorothy Quadros lead the prayer, followed by the Welcome Speech by the President Harry Lobo. While welcoming all the guests and members present he thanked each and every donor & member for their constant support and help to raise this fund which made possible to send an amount of Rs. 5 lakhs to cover 27 orphanages in Mangalore diocese. He requested to continue the same support towards the future projects of MCA.
The Annual Report for the past year was read by the General Secretary Benjamin Rebeiro. The previous year programmes; 245th Wilfy Nite held at Gulf Cinema on May 30, 2008, the auditions for Gulf Voice OF Mangalore on the 6th of June 2008 where 12 Semifinalists were selected from Doha, the semifinals of Gulf Voice of Mangalore on October 10th 2008, where Edward D’Souza and Sunitha Tellis were selected for the finals in Kuwait and finally under the banner of MCA the 2 finalists made it to the Grand finale in Kuwait on the 17th of October where Edward D’Souza emerged as the 2nd Runner up of the historic first ever Gulf Voice of Mangalore. Benjamin also informed about the following events coming up for this year.
A Mangalorean Konkani Drama will be played for the first time in Qatar which will involve 13 artists coming from Mumbai/Mangalore to be staged on 15th May 2009 at the Doha Cinema. This comedy play “MHATARO CHORBELA” written by Francis Fernandes Cascia and directed by Joy Paladka, will be a treat to all Konkani people living in Qatar. The details of this play will be published shortly.
The second main event for this coming year will be the traditional Novem Jevan on the 11th of September 2009.
The finance report was tabled by the treasurer Clement Saldanha.
Among advisory committee members, Felix Lobo spoke in detail about the main Aim & Objective of the Association and requested the members to keep up the good work done & continue. Our main Aim is to help the poorest of the poor and we will not deviate from this at any time. He said that when we help a poor it is the loan towards God which he repays back with his abundant blessings. He urged the gathering to continue their support for this good cause and also to bring in more members who are willing to be a part of this association & mission.
Wilfred Fernandes, advisory committee member compared MCA to a bridge between Doha and Mangalore. Initially it was bicycles that crossed this bridge followed by Bikes/Cars/ Busses/ Lorries and now the train have crossed this bridge, which proves the strength of this Association. He insisted that we continue work hand in hand as a family undivided. He said that this Association will remain till the last Mangalorean leaves Doha.
Dony Lobo appreciated the hard work and determination of the people who have fully dedicated their life in the service of poor and who are the main pillars of this association.
There was a short discussion to implement aid for the sick people who could not afford their treatment. This would be discussed in the future meetings and executed in our next project.
Games were conducted and prizes distributed to the winners. With a grateful heart Wilson Mendonca, Vice President thanked each and everyone for making the 1st Annual general body meeting a grand success.
Dinner was served. A total of 125 members were present on this occasion.