Dubai: Carnival de Goa Ushers in Festive Mood at Deira Sheraton

News & Pics by Rajesh Sequera
Daijiworld Media Network

Dubai, jan 25:  The Carnival festival of Goa was organized by United Friends under the leadership of Remy Fernandes at Hotel Deira Sheraton on Thursday January 24 night. Remy has been organizing these kinds of shows in Goa for the last 3 years.

Purple Rain, well-known band from Goa has been coming for this carnival for all these 3 years. Purple Rain comprises of Franky Fernandes, lead guitarist, Marcelino on keyboard, Asley on base guitar, Acaciao on rythym guitar and Eman on drums.   Guest singer Genevieve D'Souza who sang one of the best numbers made carnival more enjoyable.

The real fun started at 12 O’clock when the King said Viva Goa 3 times and opened the carnival.  There was a fancy dress competition where kids and adults dressed in different costumes like the princess, unicorn, singer, cow-fish-lady etc entertained the audience.  In the children's category Sabana won the first place while Olvton and Siya won the second and third place.  In the adults' category Sandeep topped the list while Antony and Tanesh followed him securing second and third spots. Sandeep brought cheers on the faces of the gathering with his fish-lady dress.

Lester Gracias who compered the show did a fabulous job of keeping everyone busy and cheerful throughout.  A special performance of dance was held by Laxmi.

Remy Fernandes, the main organizer speaking to Daijiworld said that tickets were all sold out a day before and there was still more demand.  He further said that every year he has been getting whole-hearted support from the people and that is the reason he has been doing this continuously for the last 3 years.

He also added that in the first year he had donated around Rs 30,000 for a patient for his kidney transplantation while in the second year he donated about 20,000dhs to OCO Hospital Goa and this year he has been planning to donate the proceedings for a special cause.