Report : Clarence Pinto, Kaikamba
Photographs : Dilip Correa
Muscat, February 17: It was absolutely nothing short of complete family entertainment. A day filled with fun, fun and enjoyable fun. The Mangaloreans of Muscat gathered at the huge football ground of Oman Sports Club - Al Khuwair, simply to enjoy the fun and share few happy moments with the fellow Mangaloreans residing in Muscat. Though it was a day of fun sports, Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish ( Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) named it as - Mangalorean day 2006.
The day commenced at 11.30 am with registration counters beginning the registrations. As the Mangalorean community members arrived at the entrance with a relaxing and certainly festive mood, the committee members greeted them with a bright smile and registered them into six different groups. The six teams were given typical Coastal Kanara names. Karkala Galli, Mangala Galli, Puttur Galli, Pangala Galli, Shirva Galli and Udupi Galli. Each member of the different team had been given different colored ribbons to identify them.
The joyful event commenced around 1.30 pm with Fr. Franklin D Souza, the eminent preacher of Karnataka region, offering the prayers on behalf of the community and seeking Heavenly blessings on the whole day’s function. Then, Panglacho Kollo and King of Records, charismatic leader of the community Henry Martis welcomed the gathering and expressing his sincere gratitude to all the Mangaloreans, who have extended their wholehearted support to organize such a nice and cheerful program. He also urged more and more Mangaloreans in Muscat to participate and come forward to extend their support and cooperation and insisted new comers to take more responsibilities.
Sumptuous lunch of Mangalorean style with Kori Sukka, Tendli Sonne suke, was served immediately after this, which was prepared by Muscat’s famous Mangalorean caterer Olwin Saldhana of Al Arsalan Restaurant (Arab Udupi Restaurant ).
After the lunch, traditional “breaking the coconut” competition was held for men and women.
Fr Albert D Silva, our own Mangalorean priest of Oman and Assistant Parish Priest of Sts Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi was the guest of honor. Actual fun and sports event commenced with all the six teams marched around the huge football grounds with their respective team leaders.
Beautifully decorated cake was cut by Father Albert and shared among the Mangaloreans. MCCP has a tradition of encouraging the children who are academically excelling, by presenting scholarships and certificates of appreciation. This year too three Mangalorean children were awarded with scholarships and certificates of appreciation for securing highest marks in 10th and 12th standard board exams among Mangaloreans. Gerry D Mello anchored this ceremony
Sutka – anthology by Clarence Pinto, Kaikamba and Jane Prakashan’s maiden publication was released in Muscat by Father D Silva.
Do Re Me Fa fame Gerry D Mello, who was instrumental for the formation and growth of MCCP (Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi), was presented with a memento, expressing love and appreciation of Mangalorean Community in Muscat. As Gerry, Lucy and their four children are planning to migrate to Canada in the near future, their service and contribution to the Mangalorean Community and to the Sts. Peter and Paul Church was also remembered.
The formation of MCCP committee was also held and four committees were formed to carry out cultural, sports, community service and financial activities of MCCP during the forthcoming year.
The evening was filled with various sports and fun games for all the groups. Everybody participated with complete enthusiasm.
The fun filled event was skillfully controlled and anchored by two well known public speakers of the Mangalorean Community – Suraj Rebello and Nelson D Silva. The full event was one more example for their usual organizing abilities.
When this reporter contacted some of the eminent and prominent Mangaloreans attended the function and asked their comments. Following are the brief excerpts:
Fr Albert D'Silva: “Mangalorean Day in Muscat is a great event for all Mangaloreans in Muscat. Such events always help us to exhibit our spiritual and social unity and talents. Our unity influences our community to become more vibrant and active. Further, this event also helps our people to build their relationship with each other and share their happiness.”
Donald Pinto, former president of MCCP and current representative of Mangalorean Community to the Parish Council: “Our people’s unlimited enthusiasm and eagerness to join the community events is clearly visible in this ground. Each and every member of the community is taking part in this event wholeheartedly. This type participation always inspires us to transforms our hidden creativity and induces energy to move to the forefront. Yes, we need this sort of enthusiasm to build a more active organization.”
Stanley Fernandes (Dattu) , an eminent Mangalorean, former Chairman of MCCP: “This is the very first event of the year and wholehearted participation by our community is really very good. This event is the show-case of our togetherness and unity.”
The grand finale came with the event of the day – Tug of war and then Bonanza Draw. Children and adults enjoyed this fascinating game by using their muscle power and others cheering the participants.
Each and every moment of this day was completely enjoyed by the whole Mangalorean Community. It was a non-stop entertaining program for all the participants.
The main sponsor for the Mangalorean Day was Oman’s top travel and tourism company- Marmul Travel and Tours LLC. The co-sponsors were Oman & UAE Exchange Center and Co. LLC, AreejVegetable Oils and Derivatives SAOG (Minara) and Oman Construction Material and Trading Co.