Pics: Tony Benson
Media Release
Mississauga (Canada), Nov 22: Canadian Canara Vision Inc (CCVI), a non-profit organization of Canadian Catholics originating from Konkan and Canara coast, recently hosted a gala dinner and dance at the Versailles Convention Centre, Mississauga, Canada.
The evening was packed with an august gathering of generous community members from the Canara coast region settled in Canada, who came together and celebrated a community event to raise fund for the charitable causes espoused by CCVI.
The MC of the evening Ivan D'Lima welcomed the guests and the band 'Big Foot' played live music and opened the floor with their foot-tapping music that made it irresistible for the young and the old to come on to the floor.
Peter Lobo, director of CCVI introduced the chief guest Bob Delaney, Member of Provincial Parliament, of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Delaney, appreciated the Canara community in Canada and the leadership taken by CCVI for the benefit of the community.
The highlight of the evening was the felicitation of David Frank Fernandes, noted entrepreneur, film producer and philanthropist based in the UAE.
Peter spoke about the award recipient and said that CCVI chose to honour David Frank Fernandes for his exemplary contributions to the community through the medium of filmography, philanthropy and social service.
'Canara Vision Yeomen Service Award 2015' was presented to Frank Fernandes by Bob Delaney (MPP), while Martin Menezes, president of Red Crest Financial services presented him with a citation and Jasbir Kooner, manager, Meridian Bank, presented him with a plaque.
In acceptance of the honour, Frank Fernandes addressed the gathering and said, "It is my great honour to receive this prestigious Award 'The Canadian Canara Vision 2015' from Bob Delaney, Member of Provincial Parliament.
"CCVI chairman and director have taken steps to establish St Peter’s Catholic cemetery which was consecrated on June 20, 2015. In order to preserve and promote our culture and provide a platform for artistes, I am producing movies in regional languages," he said.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with first step, so CCVI has taken its first step, I wish them all success and for this noble cause I am contributing Canadian $10,000," he announced.
"I also assure my continuous support to CCVI and their endeavours for years to come. Being a non-Canadian, I urge all of you to support this noble cause. Let us all live together, share together, and grow together without any feelings of animosity," Frank Fernandes said.
"I am grateful to Canara Canadians for giving me this opportunity and for the great award, thank you very much one and all," he added in conclusion.
Flavian Pinto, director of CCVI, in his vote of thanks, thanked the guests, the dignitaries, sponsors, the MC, the band, hall management and fellow directors Arun Mendes, Donald Alva, Flavian Pinto, Gilbert D’Souza, Josephine Soosay, Martin Menezes, Maxim Mendes, Nelson D’Costa, Paul Mathias, Peter Lobo, Ronald Rego and Stan Goveas, for attending this event and supporting the charitable cause.
Fr Henry Alva appreciated the works of CCVI. He also mourned the loss of lives in the recent Paris attacks and thanked god for his abundant blessings on being privileged to live in a safer community.
The evening was packed with dance, music; tons of spot prizes, attractive raffle draw prizes and silent auction and concluded with the scrumptuous dinner including Mangalurean specialities of sannas and sorpotel. Most of the guests were lucky to either receive a spot prize, raffle prize or an auction prize.
The sponsors of the event were Martin Menezes - Red Crest Mortgage Investment Corp, Flavian Pinto - SunLife Financial, Hyundai, Meridian Bank, Stan Goveas - Brampton Monument, Ronald Rego - Rego International, Nelson D’Costa - Professional Corporation & Mortgage Diligent Ltd, Mohan Law Office, HC Law Chambers, Kishore Nagarajan - CIBC, Maxim Mendes - Royal Lepage, Arun Mendes - Mendes & Co, Soosay and family.
CCVI was established by a team of capable, committed, and energetic individuals to make a difference in the lives of Canadian Catholics, originating from Konkan and Canara coast. CCVI has been initiated for overall community development, assisting new immigrants to settle and establish themselves in Canada whilst fostering and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the people from the Canara coast of India.