Gladson D’Almeida / Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, May 16: Mangaloreans are a rare breed indeed. Today Mangaloreans do not only refer to those who are born and brought up in Mangalore and around. The people living across the length and breadth of undivided Dakshina Kannada are broadly termed Mangaloreans. There might be various geographical, cultural and linguistic reasons for this. But what unites people from Byndoor to Kasargod under one umbrella is their quality to bloom where they are planted.
For years together migration in search of greener pastures has been part and parcel of Mangaloreans irrespective of their religion and language. While initially it was erstwhile Bombay (more Mangaloreans migrated to Bombay than Mumbai perhaps) that beckoned us, the lure of big wallet steadily but surely paved way for us to land abroad. But be it GCC and Middle-East, US, Europe or even Australia, New Zealand, we have not only acclimatised ourselves to the local customs and culture but have also made efforts to preserve and nourish our own roots. While ‘Be a Roman while in Rome’ has been our mantra for survival, the love, affection, and bond with our native culture, traditions and language have hardly been sidelined.
MCC Doha President - Richard Dsouza
This is the reason perhaps why we have numerous associations founded and run by Mangaloreans wherever they are. These associations not only are identity of us Mangaloreans but are also cause and reason behind our unity.
One such association which has not only become identity of Mangaloreans but has also played its role in preserving, promoting and enhancing the culture, language and traditions of Mangaloreans in the State of Qatar, the jewel of the Arab world is the Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC). The MCC which was the dream baby of a few like-minded people, who were working and living in Qatar, has completed glorious 20 years of existence in Qatar.
Founded in 1992 by a few bachelors Mangalore Cricket Club today has grown up into a big family. The MCC is the first club from Karnataka to get the affiliation from the Indian Embassy in Qatar. Inspired by the work, activities and exuberance of MCC, today many more associations have come up in Qatar.
Initially it was decided to name the club as ‘Mangalore Catholic Association, Qatar’. But as was the situation then in Qatar, the laws of the country prevented them from doing so. But this hindrance right at the beginning did not dither the committed youngsters. They did not want to lose their identity of being Mangaloreans and at the same time did not either want to do something against the law of the land. Finally they arrived at the conclusion to register the association as a sports club and thus Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) came into existence legally.
While the beginning was humble, the journey thereafter has been nothing short of being termed spectacular. Over the years MCC has grown from strength to strength, from a handful of good-hearted people to the current registered membership of around 400 (both families and individuals). Today, MCC takes pride in itself for being one of the oldest and most dynamic socio-cultural clubs not only in Qatar but also in the entire Gulf region and is very popular throughout the world for its many activities.
The MCC founders and their pals did not want to stop their work by just registering MCC. They made it a point to meet at 11 am on every Friday in a small rented room occupied by this group of bachelors. Talented, organized and dedicated Lawrence Vas soon chosen to be the first president of MCC and he led the just-born association admirably well for two years.
A game of cricket followed by lunch perhaps was the agenda for initial MCC gatherings. But one could experience the camaraderie and Mangalorean hospitality during these week-ends. It was a matter of great satisfaction as every member made it a point to attend the weekly meetings despite various hardships. Later as MCC grew more and more people joined, the activities of MCC too widened with ample occasions and events to celebrate Monti fest, Easter and Christmas. One such celebration which was the brainchild of some of the senior members of MCC and which is very much part of MCC’s identity today is the celebration of the Feast of Nativity (Monti Fest with NovemJevann). Today MCC’s Novem Jevann wherein members come together and cook delicious Mangalorean food for the entire gathering is one of the eagerly-awaited annual celebrations in Qatar.
Today MCC’s gamut of service and events has widened considerably. While the Club has been conducting the annual Talents competitions such as singing, dancing, fancy dress, drawing, public speaking, it is also playing vital role in the activities of Konkani Speaking Community of Qatar. But right from the beginning one particular aspect of MCC has not changed even a bit. Yes! It is its mission of reaching out and helping the needy both in Qatar and back in the native. While financial help to various causes has been the hallmark, the Club has also been in the forefront of various activities such as blood donation camps, participation in Qatar government’s drive ‘Keep Qatar Clean’ etc.
The success story of MCC over the years can be attributed to the fine leadership of its successive presidents and the various committees.
Much credit for the success goes to Felix Lobo, a disciplinarian; It was his tenure which laid a foundation for MCC. Vivian D’Souza followed suit and during his tenure of nearly one and a half years managed to bring many a persons under the MCC umbrella and took it to a higher level. The presidents who followed through democratic elections with terms of two years were Richard D’Souza, a famed Toast-Master known for his leadership and mentoring qualities and innovative ideas. He brought about more transparency and professionalism to the Club. Norbert Corda who took over the reins later gave a new dimension to the sharing and caring aspect of the MCC. Alwyn D’Souza who was at the helm after Norbert brought in the human touch, with the induction of 35 member ‘Jumbo Committee’ and reaching out to all Mangaloreans in Qatar to unite under the MCC banner of ‘Yeya Ek Kutam Bandiam’. At present Richard D’Souza is serving his second stint as the president and as before has not only seen that all good works of the past presidents and executive committees are carried on but has made his tenure eventful by initiating various new aspects of leadership and organization.
Novem Jevann is not the only annual celebration that MCC can boast off. The annual ThrowballThrow ball Championship for women introduced in 2001 is easily one of the most popular sports events among the Indian expatriates in Qatar. The presence of hundreds of people during these matches is proof of its popularity. Along with this a volleyball championship for men too was introduced in 2009. On the cultural front MCC is being conducting various competitions through its annual Talents competitions wherein Mangalorean children and elders are given ample opportunities to bring out and exhibit their talents and are given chances for various programs like nativity, Mangalorean day and for Annual Meeting get-together. The annual cultural, sports and food festival Mangalorean Day is another feather in MCC’s glittering feather. Along with this the annual mega shows wherein professional and well-known artists are flown in from Mangalore, Mumbai and other places perform and give a home-feel to the Mangaloreans spread across Qatar.
To promote unity and familiarity among the members annual picnics during Eid holidays are held. Mangaloreans who have carved out stupendous achievements have been invited and honoured and local academic and sports achievers are also honoured every year andyear and takes the pride in honouring all Mangaloreans serving the community in the form of catechists. ushers, social service, etc. It has successfully conducted Drama workshop for the benefit of members, organized Medical talks, celebrated Women’s day and organized children’s Christmas party.
MCC also gives opportunity to its budding artists and writers to share their works in their annual release of newsletter “Sugandh” and has its own website. But as said before the important aspect of MCC is it helping hand which has reached out to numerous needy individuals, old age home, orphanages in Mangalore while help has been extended to Qatar Red Crescent activities, Bihar flood relief fund etc.
As MCC is completing 20 fruitful and successful of its existence, it would not be an exaggeration to state that MCC has been Mangaloreans’ identity in Qatar. It is in and through MCC that Mangalorean expats in Qatar have discovered their own identity, spotted their talents, exhibited them for the good of the community. MCC is a perfect ‘home away from home’ wherein everyone is duly reached out, taken care and made feel at home.