Noel / Priya - Kuwait
Clarence / Dilip - Muscat
Daijiworld Media Network
Kuwait / Muscat, Oct 21: After a hugely successful third season of the most popular reality show in Konkani, Gulf Voice of Mangalore, hosted by Mangalore Cultural Association (MCA), winners Orson D'Souza and Reena D'Souza received a rousing welcome in their respective countries of residence. The grand finale was held in Doha on Friday October 19.
In Kuwait, about 70 people waited for more than an hour outside the airport to welcome their new singing hero, young and ever-smiling Orson D'Souza, who made Mangaloreans in Kuwait proud by winning the Gulf Voice of Mangalore crown, which includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lac.
Orson, accompanied by Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues, the founders of GVOM, arrived at Kuwait airport late on Saturday October 20 night. He was also accompanied by Wilson Saldanha, Rita Rodrigues, GVOM female finalist Lavina D'Souza and other supportes who attended the finale in Doha.
"There was a festive atmosphere when QR 136 - Qatar Airways landed in Kuwait airport on Saturday night. Even though the flight was delayed by more than one hour due to a technical fault, a huge crowd was waiting for Orson – the winner of the male category of GVOM-3. He was received by the management committee members of various organizations in Kuwait such as Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), United Mangloreans Kuwait (UMK) as well as friends and family at the Kuwait international airport. The scene of cheers and screams at the airport was really memorable. Thanks to Kuwait airport management and security for not stopping or disturbing the celebration," said Lawrence Pinto, speaking to daijiworld at Kuwait airport
Speaking to daijiworld Orson gave the credit for his victory to Jaison Lasrado, Joy Fernandes and Kiran Gonsalves who trained him on a daily basis to bring him to this level. He also thanked Rony D’Cunha, Ashley D’Silva and Socoro D’Mello for their support. He appreciated GVOM Kuwait organizers for focusing on budding talents and MCA for giving an international stage. "Even if one is born in Gulf and struggles to speak one's mother tongue Konkani due to the influence of surroundings, one can achieve the goal with dedication, hard work and practice. Inspired by GVOM 2008 and 2010, I started to learn and speak Konkani and succeeded in achieving goal," he said.
Many organizations have planned felicitation programmes to honour the winners in the coming days.
Muscat
Reena D'Souza, who became a singing idol around the Gulf soon after winning the Gulf Voice of Mangalore in the female category, was accorded a warm welcome at Muscat Airport on Saturday night.
She was accompained by Stany Fernandes, senior MCCP member and popular Mangalorean in Muscat, along with Apolinaris D'Souza, GVOM finalst Morvine, Montica Dantes and others. She was also accompanied by her husbad.
Her family, relatives and well-wishers were waiting to welcome her at the airport
Speaking to daijiworld she said, "I would like to thank God Almighty for showering His blessings upon me. Also, I would like to thank my parents and my in-laws for their blessings, my sisters for their support and my husband for his encouragement to participate in this GVOM 3 competition. Thanks to MCCP - Oman and the entire Mangalorean community for their support, prayers, blessings and motivation.
"Special thanks to Apolinaris D'Souza and Oswald D'Souza, Valencia for the guidance and training given to me, their continuous support which boosted my confidence level to participate in this GVOM-3. Thanks to the organizers of Qatar (MCA- Qatar), specially Veena Pais nee Rebimbus who gave me support whenever I needed it. The warm welcome at Doha Airport and the arrangements made for our stay were all superb. Also, I would like to thank the Mangalorean community in Qatar for their hearty welcome."
MCCP has planned a felicitation programme for Reena in the coming days.
Comment on this article
Cheryl, Dubai
Mon, Oct 22 2012One determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” Seems like Kuwait team will make an history in every event ...Congratulations to Kuwaitgars. Orson rocked the stage and You guys ROCK the Konkani community ! Good Luck to you all .
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Charles D'Mello, Pangala
Mon, Oct 22 2012Good gesture. I feel this could have been done in all the particpating gulf countries, irrespective of winning the title. The paricipating candidates have put a lot of effort to reach this stage and they deserve recognition.
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John DSouza, Belman/Mangalore/Qatar
Mon, Oct 22 2012Congratulations to All Winners,
(A couple with crowns, all contestants with energy and spirit, MCA organizers with initiative and effort,
Donors with encouragement, Daiji with world communication and all audience with well wishes and support)
It is an excellent effort to make Konkani, our loving mother language, a survivor and the winner.
As Daiji has succeeded in uniting all scattered Konkani people worldwide, being a powerful communication media, let us also try and hope to bring a revolutionary change, with a new concept in our transport sector to save a huge amount from our expensive fuels expenses and considerable reduction in pollutions, to have a clean environment around us. Praise be to Almighty God
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Oswald / Lily / Gloria, Valencia - Muscat
Mon, Oct 22 2012Be Happy..Good Luck & Best Wishes
To: Reena/Sabita/Orson/Morvine/
Jeevan/Preema & all
contestants
All are appreciating / loving your performances/singing throughout Konkani world. Pls keep on practicing daily. Try to go vocal singing classes if possible, learn semi classical songs.
Apart from GVOM, pls take part and compete in "SOAD KONKANI FLATFORM (Maandd Sobhan)" and show your beautiful tallent to the Konkani world.
Keep on singing one day you will become No.1. BEST WISHES TO ALL.
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Vinay Lewis, Uppoor
Mon, Oct 22 2012Nice to see the support and welcome given to these winners. It not only shows the love and support to these winners but also to our mother tongue Konkani. Its really nice if the same spirit remains ever in our hearts. Congrats Orson, you really deserve this victory. Your determination and will to improve your konkani made you achieve your goal. You are a true winner........
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