Monthi Fest by Abbassiya Family, Kuwait
Report & Pics: Priya Saldanha Shirthady/Kuwait & Paul Aranha Shirva
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Sep 10: Abbasiya Families Kuwait celebrated the feast of nativity on Friday September 9 at Integrated Indian School premises.
The program started with general welcome by Ronnie Fernandes. The statue of Mother Mary was brought in a procession to the stage by Gurkars of the day Wilson Saldanha (as a token of appreciation to daijiworld for its service to Konkani Associations and Mangalorean people in Kuwait) and Jerald D’Souza along with paddy grain and dates.
Children carrying fresh flowers along with Fr Noel Almeida, Fr Andrew and visiting priest Fr Thomas Serrao went on procession to the Altar. Hymns were sung by the choir members lead by Konkani’s Golden Voice Ronny D’Cunha.
Flowers were offered and showered by a record number of kids in a very traditional way. Mass in Konkani was offered during the celebration. Mangalore’s harvest Paddy grain was blessed by Fr Noel Almeida during mass and distributed to the gathered. Children were overwhelmed with rarely seen ‘sugarcane’ (Kobu) which gave complete enjoyment and excitement of feast.
Arrival of Bishop Camillo Ballin was added attraction of the program. He delivered the feast message in his unique humorous way. Priests, Sister’s of Carmel school, sponsors and the people who worked for the success of the program were felicitated with flowers. An appeal wass given to bishop requesting a Konkani speaking preast for Abbassiya parish which was taken positively by the Bishop. Maxim D’Souza Thanked everyone for the success of the feast.
Gurkars of the day Wilson Saldanha and Jerald D’Souza invited everyone to have blessed traditional vegetarian dinner in Mangalorean traditional way by offering water in ‘Chembu’. There were a row of entertainment programs like dances, hymns, action songs etc while the guests were served the traditional feast dinner prepared by Royal Plaza Caterers. Various hymns were sung by the Choir group. The Program was well compered by Deepak Andrade and Nicol D’Souza. More than 1,000 people attended the program witnessing the love towards Mangalorean tradition giving a clear message that making association is not the only way to bring the communities together for any celebrations.