Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, May 6: As the eloquent, witty and crowd favourite compere Updesh Swar announced the name of charming and breath-takingly beautiful Anubha as the 16th May Queen, the ever supportive audience within the confines of the Ballroom rose in deafening applause that reverberated through the majestic Giwana Hall in Radisson Blu Hotel here. She was crowned by ACP Pradyuman (Shivaji Satam) of the popular and long running TV series CID, while the stunning Samantha Trindade bagged the first runner-up, witty and confident Bryna was chosen as the second runner-up at a glittering and yet another memorable annual May Queen Ball organized by Goan Welfare Association in cooperation with the Link Marketing on Friday May 6.
Actress Yoshika Verma, fashion designer and stylist Chloe Vasishtha, Luizinho Faleiro, president of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) and former chief minister of Goa, Agnello Fernandes, former MLA from Goa, Bardroy Barretto, director of National Award winning Konkani film ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar, first Goan-born Bollywood director Glen Baretto, Goa Welfare Association, Doha president Simon D’Silva were also present on dais on the occasion.
Goan Welfare Association has been uniting factor of Goans working and living in the oil-rich country of Qatar for over one and half decades now. Superbly led by affectionate Simon D’Silva, the association has often joined forces with charitable groups such as CRY and CARITAS in reaching out to the needy. Apart from this, GWA has been in the vanguard of projecting, promoting and fostering Goan traditions, culture and arts in Qatar. The Association known for successfully organizing mega cultural events in Qatar year after year and giving an opportunity to Doha-based Goans to come together and celebrate Goan spirit. The annual May Queen Ball is the signature event of GWA and for the last 15 years, the event has become an important and must-attend event in the Qatar Goans’ calendar without doubt.
The evening was perfectly planned for a gala entertainment and it lived up to everyone’s expectations keeping the large number of participants asking for more.
It was Doha’s very own, spectacular Mahesh Prabhu who set the ball rolling with his eloquent entry as one of the comperes of the evening. After welcoming the gathering in his signature style, Mahesh paved the way for the entry of Doha’s favourit, Dubai’s ace DJ Glorio who almost immediately breathed in spirit and gaiety amongst the audience with some scintillating numbers. As the evening wore on, the dance floor had couples flooding in huge numbers elegantly dancing to the groovy and peppy songs of DJ Glorio.
Then ascended he, who has taken not just Goa but entire India by storm with his stupendous, witty and incomparable compering. Updesh Swar is not the mood setter by a trend setter in the world of compering. He sway the audience in his gift of tongue and keeps them ever-involved and ever-interested in the event. He has been part and parcel of annual May Queen Ball in Doha and yet every time he comes here, he comes up with new style and manages to steal of the hearts of the audience. He again proved that why he is regarded in such high esteem by hosting another successful and organized May Queen Ball.
'Alcatrazz' is one of the most busiest and acclaimed bands of Goa which has created a legend of its own over the last 23 years. In 1993, Patrick, Peter, Jude & Cassius (Cassy) all accomplished musicians in their own right and armed with nothing more than their passion for music, came together to form a band under the banner "Alcatrazz".
They have regaled audiences at weddings, parties, conferences, etc. making them one of Goa's busiest bands. Their fame, spreading across the borders, saw them being invited to perform in other states around India. They have the distinction of being Goa''s ambassadors at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on numerous occasions. They have also become one of the hottest Goan bands sought after abroad as well. Though there have been a few changes in the band with Jude leaving to concentrate on his teaching career, and the induction of Francis, Sandra, and Cassian, one thing remains unchanged, the passion for pure, unadulterated music and the desire to offer the best!"
Their entry with female lead vocalist Sandra Franco’s opening number was welcomed with a huge applause by the large number of audience.
Alcatrazz and Updesh together are a heavy dose of music and masthi that has the ability to set floor on fire with their spectacular performances. Alcatrazz has blazed the music world with their sensational blend of vocals, instruments, rhythm, visual technique in trend and showmanship. The band powered by Cassian Fernandes (lead vocals), Patrick Silveira (drums and vocals), Cassius Fernandes (keyboards and vocals), Peter Faria (bass and vocals), Francis D'Souza (lead and vocals) and Sandra Franco (vocalist) satiated the music buds of all the guests by playing fantastic music catering exclusively to taste and choice of all. As the time flew, the ‘’Alcatrazz’’proved as to why they are considered as numero uno band in Goa for such a long period.
The glittering full-house evening had lot in store in the form of surprises and prizes as the organizers rained in number of attractive prizes to the people on the dancing floor. Man with Smoothest Legs, Woman with Backless Top, Youngest Married couple etc were had awesome prizes coming their way.
As the entertainment continued and Alcatrazz kept the floor busy, special guests of the evening Bollywood stars Shivaji Satam of CID tele-serial fame, young actress and model Yoshika Verma (daughter of legendary Bollywood stuntman Pappu Verma), fashion designer and stylist Chloe Vasishtha along with former Goa Chief Minister Louzine Faleiro and former MLA Agnelo Fernandes made their entry to the jam-packed hall amidst the thunderous applause of the gathering.
After the guests were welcomed with bouquets, Alcatrazz and DJ Glorio kept the audience well on the dance floor with some truly scintillating dance numbers. The mercury in the cool Giwan Hall upped as they belted out some of the popular golden oldies, jazz standards, retro, ballads, the bustling dance floor provided perfect ambience for the audience to hit the dance floor and stay there till the end untiringly.
The May Queen contest was very glamorous and conducted in great style and fanfare. Each contestant was a winner in her own way with graceful looks, proud walk, witty answers and alluring smile, making it very difficult for the jury panel that consisted of Archie D’Mello, former Office Director of Qatar Airways CEO, Chloe Vasishtha, Glen Baretto, Bardroy Baretto and Yoshika Verma. They were given chance to choose the questions on the spot and they came out with cool answers compelling the audience to put together their hands in sheer appreciation beauty and wisdom of the contestants.
Finally it was stunning beauty Anubha who won the hearts of the jury as well as the audience as walked away with the crown of May Queen Ball. She was rained with spectacular prizes including gold sponsored by Prakath Jewellers, airline tickets, free hotel stay, electronic items etc. First and second runners-up were also awarded with similar fantastic prizes.
The main sponsor was Qatari Industrial Equipment and Capital One was the co-sponsor of the event. Official airline was Qatar Airways, official bank was Doha Bank, official Hotle Radisson Blu Doha, official newspaper Gulf Times and official web partner Daijiworld.
All in all it was a wonderful and successful May Queen Ball by Goan Welfare Association. The organizers ably led by Simon D’Silva and well assisted by the GWA managing committee members dished out another flawless and perfectly planned even adding one more feather into the already glittering cap of Goan Welfare Association.