Media Release
Kuwait City, Dec 19: As we step into the month of December, everyone gets into the festive mood automatically. Young and old along with the little ones welcome special season where everyone sways to the melodies of Christmas Carols with all preparations to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Every house, Church and corners of the city are decorated in various Christmas decorations and lights. Yes, Christmas is special to everyone, where Peace, Love & Joy filled in the air, and everyone tries to live the Christmas message in their lives.
Kuwait Canara Welfare Association, the premier association of Kuwait, has been trying its best to uplift the Christmas message and live it for the past 34 years in every way possible. Like every year, KCWA celebrated the Christmas celebration 'Nathalanchi Saanz' on December 16, at the Indian Community Senior School, ICSK - auditorium, Salmiya, Kuwait. In light of spreading the Joy and happiness, the programme set off at 5:40 pm with a welcome speech by president Ruth Clara Veigas, who shared her immense joy and warmth to the crowd.
The happiest moment for every parent when their children excel academically as well as in extra-curricular activities. To put this into action, KCWA conducts Annual Merit Scholarship and Excellence awards in various categories during Christmas celebrations with the help of generous sponsors namely Allen Alphonso & family, Lawrence D Souza and family, Nitin Castelino and family, Charlton and Clinton D Sa family and Harold D Souza and Fly. Veena Serrao and Jayson D Souza led this award ceremony gracefully at the event.
Happy retirement and farewell were wished to Ida D Silva and her spouse John D Silva with appreciation for their extensive service to KCWA and tireless efforts to uplift Konkani language and culture, with flowers and memento. The event managed by Alwyn Noronha.
The crowd enjoyed the melodious Carols by Shining Stars, a group of little kids who were the winners of KCWA Talent Competition 2022. Morvine Quadros presented Carol, composed by Fr Noel D Almeida from his newly released album 'Baal Zolmala'.
Daddy chi Khanth Konkani comedy skit was staged by talented local artists Santhosh D Costa, Lydia Misquith, Sathish Saldanha and Joyston D’ Almeida, which was written and directed by Santosh D Costa, and the background music by Suneeth Noronha. This sailed the crowd into the world of laughter with their wonderful performance.
KCWA community is always dreaming and aiming to raise funds to support the needy. In this connection, two masterpiece paintings were set for Auction, painted by the most talented Rayan Misquith, son of Late Johnny Surathkal, founder member of KCWA and the budding talent Raelene Calida Fernandes, daughter of KCWA member Ronald and Thelma Fernandes. Anil Fernandes led the Auctions, the fully geared up audience extended their full support with lots of cheers. The marvellous paintings were handed over to the highest bidders Canute D Souza and Queene Fernandes.
A beautiful Christmas message, the birth of Jesus in a manger, choir of angels singing and glorifying God, terrified and excited shepherds dancing out of joy, the star of the East moving and stopping over the stable and the 3 kings following the star to worship Jesus was showcased in the form of a Tableau by the managing committee members and their families was amazing.
Following the Tableau, spiritual director Fr Noel D Almeida delivered the Christmas message to the gathering and congratulated them for being part of KCWA community and their true spirit to share the Joy of Christmas among our brethren in need.
The kids were all excited to see their loving Santa entering the hall with candies in his bag and followed him to receive specially packed goodies with loads of excitements.
To encourage KCWA’s membership, Vincent Rego along with Membership Affairs coordinator Sylvia D Costa conducted a membership draw. The draw was held in three categories that comprised of 2023 renewed members present at the venue, 2023 renewed members present or not at the venue and for honorary, Patron and Life members. Lucky winners were Ton Prashanth, Melwyn Rosario D Sa and Robertson Gabriel simultaneously.
Christmas Hampers sale gave an opportunity for everyone to be part of the Christmas Joy, where they shared their love and support towards KCWA’s mission. Highest Sale of Hampers sold by Veena Serrao, Arun Dsouza, Maria Rinna Dsouza, Prakash Pinto and Mable Andrade were awarded as an appreciation for their efforts. Lucky winners of Hampers draw were coordinated and led by Deepak Andrade, Prakash and Rita Pinto, Praveen Fernandes, Arun D Souza along with. Rev. Fr. Noel D Almeida, President Ruth Clara Veigas, Immediate Past President Maria Rinna D Souza and the Past Presidents Anil Fernandes, Steven Rego and Praveen Menezes.
Hampers Draw - winners list
Prize Prize Name of the Winner
First Prize Gold Coin, 8 Gram 22 karat Valerian Nazareth
Second Prize Apple iPad -10.2 Inches 64 GB Krisha Aranha
Third Prize Sony Soundbar, 600W, 5.1 Ch DB Lobo
Fourth Prize Gold Coin, 4 Gram 22 karat Saneesh Roy
Fifth Prize Samsung Galaxy Buds Don Dias
Consolation Prize 1 Assorted Girts Ramesh Kalal
Consolation Prize 2 Assorted Girts Fahad Taufiq
Consolation Prize 3 Assorted Girts RPT
Consolation Prize 4 Assorted Girts Robert D Souza
Consolation Prize 5 Assorted Girts Ramesh Kalal
Consolation Prize 6 Assorted Girts Joshua D Silva
Consolation Prize 7 Assorted Girts Mathew Kurian
Consolation Prize 8 Assorted Girts Narayan Lal Kodar Lal
Consolation Prize 9 Assorted Girts Sheel Suhas Sawant
Consolation Prize 10 Assorted Girts Naser Ahmed
Sharon Pinto (D Cunha), the main lovely Anchor of the whole event engaged the crowd with various spot games for kids and adults of all age group. She was supported by the managing committee members, spouses and gave away attractive prizes.
Alwyn Noronha the event coordinator, proposed the vote of thanks and all the kids gathered recited the grace before meal prior to opening the Dinner Buffet.
Sincere thanks to Nelson D Souza and Blen D Souza for capturing the whole event with their skills in photography, Creations Group for providing the backdrop and decorated the stage, Anand D Souza of Waves Events and Engineering for providing Lights and Sounds, DJ Roshans Rodrigues for providing the foot tapping music, Alban D Souza for providing projector, Caesars Group of Restaurants for serving Delicious dinner snacks and juices, Sharon Pinto for Comparing the program and keeping the crowd well engaged with activities, the support committee and spouses of the managing committee for their selfless service to ensure the programme runs smoothly.
We extend our gratitude to goodies sponsors by cash and kind: Ichia General Trading Co – Balaji Snacks, KITCO, Seedawi Factory, Zahem and Malhotra Co – Clifford, Johar, and Vikas, Khaled and Sylvia, Lester D Mello, Anil Fernandes, Rohan Brags, Praveen Menezes, Brian Solomon.
The main sponsor of the event was Prakash Gonsalves – Steel United Factory- Kuwait- Metal workshop, co-sponsors were Mr. John Fernandes - Al-Zain International company, Vincent D Souza - White Bear garage, KIB Takaful Insurance Company, Stany Sanctis – Royal Tec Electrical, Mr. Raymond D Souza - Al Rathath Est, Ranjit D Souza – Keentech Electrical Contracting Co, John and Ida D’Silva, Valerian Sanctis. KCWA whole-heartedly would like to thank all our sponsors and well-wishers for supporting this event with their generous contribution.
The entire event was coordinated by the team of Alwyn Noronha, Veena Serrao, Maria Rinna D Souza, Jayson John D Souza and Roshan Rodrigues and well supported by KCWA Managing and support committee members.
The event concluded by 10 pm, with the crowd returning happily with the joy and fellowship of Christmas. The KCWA community, wished everyone a Joyous Christmas and a Prosperous new year 2023.