by MCC Qatar
Doha, Sep 19: Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), Qatar, celebrated Monti Fest with great pomp and vigor on Friday, September 15, 2006 at Al Ghazal Club, Doha. This celebration was open to all Mangaloreans. Almost 600 people gathered to witness the performance of the winners of a talent show conducted by MCC in May and also to partake in the traditional novem jevan which consisted of sumptuous vegetarian buffet lunch.
The celebration began with the hymn “Sakkad Sangatha Melya” which was sung beautifully by the children of the Konkani choir group. Emelia D’Souza led the opening prayer. General Secretary Dephny Lobo welcomed the gathering. President Norbert Corda in his address laid down his plans for the coming year while maintaining the traditions of MCC and thanked the gathering for their wholehearted support.
The outstanding achievers of the community were honoured by MCC during the program. They were: Nigel Pereira, Deon Britto, Stephanie Rego, Pooja D’Souza, Yolanda Pereira, Kimberly Fernandes and Rocky Cutinho. Rev. Fr. Tomasito, the parish priest of Our Lady of the Rosary, Qatar, gave away mementoes to these achievers.
Mr. Alfred Sequeira and Mr. Wilfred Fernandes, prominent members of the community and well wishers of the club gave away certificates and trophies to the winners of the singing and the talent show held in May 2006.
The 5th issue of ‘Sugandh’, MCC’s newsletter was released by Mr. Jerald D’Mello, one of the Founder members of MCC.
‘Vedran’ a skit conceived and directed by Uday Rosario and Lancelot D’Souza, with a novel way of showing how ‘one man can make a difference’ won the hearts of the audience.
Dony Lobo and his troupe enthralled the audience with selected traditional songs otherwise known as ‘Maando’.
Beverly D’ Souza, Sana Britto, Sarita Mendonca and Rony Arun rendered solo numbers of different artists. Alwyn D’Souza and Sheila Lewis, Patrick and Thelma D’Souza, rendered duets. Besides, there was a skit, two group dances by children and three group songs presented by Doha, Mesaieed and Al Khor residents. In all, the cultural events by the local talents kept the audience entertained for almost two and a half hours.
Rev. Fr. Gaspar Fernandes, Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary said the grace before meals. In his address, Fr. Gaspar, who is an alumni of the seminary in Mangalore, recalled the memories of his stay in Mangalore and congratulated MCC on keeping the tradition of “Novem Jevan” alive in Qatar.
Vegetarian buffet lunch was served with ‘roce’ and ‘sanna’ to all gathered.
The program was compeered, in his inimitable style, by the Immediate past President Richard D’ Souza.
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