Dubai : Katpady Konkans Celebrate Fifth Anniversary in Style
by Jovin D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Nov 5: Parishioners of Katpady, Udupi district, spread across UAE under the banner of 'Katpady Konkans' celebrated their fifth anniversary in style at the Dubai Grand Hotel, on Friday November 5.
The day-long event witnessed a variety of entertainment programmes including comedy, live singing and spot games. The Tulu comedy play 'Voikla Avandinakulu' was the main attraction of the event as amateur artistes of Katpady Konkans entertained the audience with side-splitting humour.
Earlier, the event began around 12.30 pm with compere Roshan D'Silva giving a brief introduction of Katpady Konkans and declaring the fifth anniversary celebrations open.
Katpady parish priest Fr Ronald Fernandes, who travelled all the way from the Udupi town to grace the event, was the chief guest. Catherine Rodrigues, noted Tulu, Kannada and Konkani litterateur, Walter Nandalike of Daijiworld.com and Hilary Pinto of Al Faris, patron of Katpady Konkans and well-known entrepreneur from Dubai were the guests of honour.
Katpady Konkans honoured Catherine Rodrigues for her dedicated service to the society, as well as for her services as a language activist. Olivia Pereira read out the citation while Hilary Pinto and Walter Nandalike did the honours on behalf of Katpady Konkans.
Agnel Rodrigues, the dynamic leader of Katpady Konkans welcomed the gathering and introduced the guests. He thanked the sponsors and supporters who helped Katpady Konkans in reaching out to the needy back home.
Agnel D'Silva read out the annual report, highlighting the contributions of Katpady Konkans over the last five years.
Catherine Rodrigues thanked the Katpady Konkans for honouring her, and assured her contribution to literature as well as to society in the future too.
Katpady Konkans also presented tokens of appreciation to Walter Nandalike and Fr Ronald Fernades.
In his address, Walter Nandalike said that he considered it his privilege to be the guest of honour at the fifth year celebrations of the association, especially as he had been present for the first year celebrations too. He lauded Catherine Rodrigues for her contributions to society and to literature, and advised young artistes to emulate her simplicity and her down-to-earth nature. Simplicity like Catherine's will take an artiste to great heights, he said, and wish the Katpady Konkans the best for the future while also appreciating their concern for the poor and the downtrodden back home as well as in Dubai.
Fr Ronald Fernandes conveyed the wishes of people Katpady to the parishioners here in Dubai. He thanked Katpady parishioners for helping the people in their native land, especially for catering to the church needs. He hailed Hilary Pinto for his yeoman service to the parish, and on behalf of the parishioners in his home town felicitated Hilary Pinto and his wife Lorna Pinto with a shawl, garland and flowers.
Shylon Music Group, led by Lancy Noronha added extra zing to the event with popular, peppy Konkani numbers.The Group comprised Calvin, Lancy, Rakesh, Shyna, Rony, Vincy and Vinod along with Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight.
Members of Katpady Konkans invoked God's blessings, while Anitha Dsouza proposed vote of thanks.
Various entertaining performances like dance by kids and teenagers, skits, and spot prizes kept the audience on their toes throughout. The event ended with baila dance.