News and pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)
Mumbai, Nov 14: Maharashtra Konkan association celebrated Youth Fiesta at Jerimeri St Jude Church premises on November 9.
Chief priest of the church Fr Lancy Pinto led the prayer and set the programme in motion.
Senior dramatist and comedian Francis Fernandes, Cascia was the chief guest. Association Religious director Fr Nelson Saldanha, Divo Konkani weekly magazine editor Lawrence Coelho, Musician Lawrence Saldanha, senior theater artiste Harryboy, Musicians Victor Consessao, Jerry Bondel, social worker Lawrence D' Souza Kamani, James Elias were present as guests of honor presented awards to the winners.
Francis Fernandes, speaking on the occasion said "The large gathering of pure Konkani speaking people has become a question for those who say that the Konkani language is on the verge of extinction. The youth presenting music, dramas and dances in Konkani makes us understand the love of the language and its growth. It shows the love and respect that the youth has on the language. May many such programmes come up and make the pride on the language improve among youth."
Fr Nelson Saldanha welcomed. Levin Fernandes, Jaqueline D' Souza, Lavina D' Souza, Glenita Fernandes and Jyoyid Rodrigues sang the welcome song. Goregaon church students presented the welcome dance.
Association president Leo Fernandes, presidents Benedicta B Rebello and Walter D' Souza Kalmadi, Secretary Vincent Castelino, Lancy D'Souza, John Veigas, Elias Pinto, Leo D' Souza, Peter Rebello, Victor Pereira, David D' Souza, Joseph D' Souza, Cyril Castelino and others presented flower bouquets to the guests and honored them.
Royly Santumayor Vasai, Flora D' Souza Jerimeri, Jenita D' Souza Goregaon, Anis Mathais Mahakali, Pelita Veigas Malvani and Melvin D'Souza Mira Road who had trained the children and young talented artistes were felicitated by the guests with a shawl, letter of appreciation and flower bouquets.
Victor Consessao, Felix Malvani, Richard Mira Road, Valerian Kandivli, Irene Mathais Mahakali, Clement D' Souza Vasai supported different artiste groups presented dance, music, Konkani skit etc as part of cultural programme.
Leo Fernandes proposed Vote of thanks.