Daijiworld News Network - Muscat
(Pics by Dilip Corres - DW Network)
Muscat, Nov 11: As announced earlier, Parishioners of Pangla residing in and around Muscat celebrated their Decennial and Pangla fest (Parish Feast) on Thursday, 9th November, 2006 at the Alwyn’s Al Arsalan Restaurant and Hall, Al Wadi Al Kabir. It was an event of sharing joy and brotherhood.
The celebration took off around 9.45 p.m. with Muscat’s well known compere A. L. Monis taking charge of the event and extending warm welcome to the audience. Fr. V. J. Menezes, offered prayers, thanking God for the infinite graces He had showered on Muscat Pangalites during the last ten years and seeking blessings on each and everyone gathered.
An official welcome address was delivered by Panglacho Kollo Henry G. Martis, renowned personality among the Mangalorean community in Muscat and the dynamic President of the Muscat Pangalites for the last nine years. He extended a cordial and warm welcome to the Chief Guest of the evening, Stanley Fernandes, well known among the Mangaorean Community and fondly known as “Dattu” and Fr. V. J. Menezes, guest of honor of the evening. Fr V J is a renowned preacher from Mangalore who is currently in Muscat presenting Parish Missions in various parishes. The members and their guests were also had been warmly welcomed.
Henry G. Martis, in his speech expressed his view that this joyful get-together should be an occasion for the pangalites to meet and greet each other. He also reminded the festive mood of Pangla Parish Feast back home. He also called the members of Muscat Pangalites to extend support and cooperation to the various Parish Projects carried out in Pangla. He paid grateful tributes to Fr. Vincent Monteiro the founder of Muscat Pangalites and appreciated the projects undertaken by the present parish priest Fr. Alexander Lobo, particularly the construction of a building for the English medium school. He appealed and encouraged all the pangalites to contribute financially and support the projects of Pre-university college, which is required urgent need of financial support to run without any government aid. He expressed gratitude for all the previous generous donors.
Chief Guest, Stanley Fernandes and Guest of Honor, Fr V J Menezes along with Henry Martis and newly elected president of Muscat Pangalites, Gerry Rodrigues inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp.
Chief Guest, Stanley Fernandes and Fr V J Menezes were honored by presening flower bouquets by baby Avelen D’Souza and Elveera Nazareth. Royston Nazareth read out a message sent for the occasion by the current parish priest of Pangla Fr. Alexander Lobo thanking all the donors during his last visit to the Gulf, in particular he had thanked Henry Martis for his efforts to raise funds for all the projects of Pangla.
Chief guest Stanley Fernandes, in his address, appreciated the efforts rendered by Muscat Pangalites in uniting Pangla Parishioners in Muscat and offering financial assistance to the various projects in Pangla Parish. Well decorated Decennial Cake cutting ceremony was held by the chief guest & guest of honor along with all the committee members..
Vote of thanks was proposed by Arun D’ Souza, thanking all the supporters and thanked everyone who made the occasion a great success. Special thanks were extended to Mrs. Mebal Pinto of Marmul Travels & Tours, Hydrotec of Clifford Sanctis, Arthur Colaco of Sweets of Oman, Raphael Quadras of Zaharat Al Rawdha, Alwyn Saldana from Arsalan Restaurant, A.L. Monis of Modern Bakery and committee members for sponsoring prizes.
The evening was full of fun and frolic, games and dances, housie-housie and entertainments. Vranalli Nazareth a well known child dancer in Muscat, who had won several accolades in Mangalorean Catholic Center’s competitions, presented a scintillating dance and entertained whole audience. There were also attractive prizes for the spot answers to the brain trickling shot at the audience in regular intervals .The eagerly awaited climax of the function was the sumptuous dinner with typical Mangalorean dishes served by the Mangalorean Restaurant of Alwyn Saldanha.
The entire program was efficiently compered A. L. Monis, Suraj Rebello and Nelson D Silva. The function was organized by Gerry Rodrigues, Victor Nazareth, Arun D’ Souza, Vinay Nazareth, Gerry Castelino, Sunitha Nazareth, Lucy D’ Souza and Celine Nazareth .
The exciting fun-filled evening came to an end a little after midnight, when the happy Muscat Pangalites and their guests dispersed with lingering smile on their faces carrying home the sweet memories of the occasion.