Muscat: MCCP's Mega Mangalorean Day - Photo Album 

Report : Clarence Pinto
Photographs : Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network

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Muscat, Feb 2: It is an event to remember for many days to come!  A mega Mangalorean event in Muscat filled with lot of fun, exhibiting Mangalorean tradition, showcasing coastal Karnataka’s glorious culture and simply magical moments of non-stop entertainment. Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) organized Mega Mangalorean Day 2008, one of the most entertaining events of the year, on 01st February 2008 at Muscat Sports Club Grounds – Al Wadi Al Kabir. 

Whole atmosphere was cloudy and windy in the morning hours. Dark clouds gathered around Muscat and brought powerful winds when preparation commenced in the morning.  There were fears of having heavy rain but everything went on smoothly and Mangaloreans attended the functions enjoyed every bit of the program.

Mangalorean Day 2008 started at around 12.00 noon with a hearty welcome by Clarence Pinto, core committee member of the MCCP. Grand procession with a symbolic traditional band, dance and choir team, main coordinators with their families, President and the spiritual director, Fr. Albert D Silva entered the huge Muscat Sports Club Grounds and the audience welcomed them with grand applause.    

Fr. Albert D’ Silva, our own Mangalorean priest in Muscat and spiritual guide to the center, offered prayers invoking heavenly blessing on the event.  Stanley T. H. Fernandes, current president of MCCP officially welcomed the audience and also, expressed gratitude for the support and hard work rendered by the Executive Committee members and many active community members.

Shaun Vaz, son of Mervyn and Nora Vaz, presented a floral bouquet to the chief guest of the program, Fr. Albert D Silva.

A special welcome song written by Clarence Pinto for the Mangalorean Day 2008 and music composed by well-known Konkani composer Apolinaris D Souza was then presented by the community’s prominent singers Apolinaris D’ Souza, Dolphy Vaz, Ronald Lobo, Lancy Sequeira, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Jovita Sequeira, Lanisha Sequeira and  Lanville Sequeira.  Bertyl Noronha and Sonalika Nazareth presented a dance for the same.

Dilip Correa, main coordinator for Cultural and Spiritual Committees spoke on “Mangalorean Day and we” and said - “ an event of this nature can help us to build a strong community bond among Mangaloreans and that is what we are experiencing today..”

Nirmala Goveas, singer, poetess and active Konkani worker of the community presented one more brand new song for the Mangalorean Day – ‘Naman tuka Manglura’ written by Clarence Pinto and music composed by Apolinaris D’Souza.

Chief guest of the day, Fr. Albert addressed the audience and appreciated the tremendous efforts put by the community leaders to organize such a wonderful function which helps the community people to live in one spirit and togetherness.

There was a short function to felicitate the sponsors and supporters of the Mangalorean Day 2008 and it was conducted by Naveen Mascarenhas.

Valerian Dantis, main coordinator of Finance and Sports committee expressed his gratitude for all the support extended by the committee members. He requested the Mangaloreans gathered to participate in all games and activities of the day with great spirit and togetherness.

Shalet Noronha, up-coming Konkani activist and dramatist of the community had formulated and designed the complete cultural event of the day.

After the sumptuous lunch prepared by  Henry and Gracy Castelino of Barka, there were many traditional games organized by Suraj Rebello and Dolly Gomes. Everyone enjoyed all the games and fun.  As usual Suraj showed his tremendous ability of organizing interesting traditional games for the Mangalorean Crowd.

Omantel is the main sponsor for all MCCP Annual events of 2007 –2008.  Ideal Tailors, Muscat Pharmacy and Marmul Tours and Travels are the major sponsors.

The other sponsors of the event were Onas Trading LLC, Mutrah Cold Stores,  Areej Vegetable Oils & Derivatives SAOG – Minara, Oman Foodstuff Factory LLC - Al Mudhish Brand Chips , Ligory D'mello - Technofit LLC, Shaun Vaz,  National Mineral Water Co. LLC,  Zaharat Al  Rawdha Trading,  National Tea Co. LLC , Khimji Ramdas, Jenny Joseph of Henna Beauty Parlour,  Fairtrade LLC,  Al Maya International, Bank Muscat SAOG, Prudent Loss adjusters, Ruwi Hotel, Assarain Enterprises, British Telecom, Henry Rodrigues, Copper chimney Restaurant, Muscat  Holiday Hotel, Grill House, W J Towell, Arthur and Rita D Souza, Al Ahlia Gulf Line General Trading LLC, Barka Poultry, Nabil Biscuits and Steven Pinto

There was a prize distribution ceremony of the Annual Cricket Tournament 2008.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Sunitha Nazareth, Sports Secretary of MCCP and she thanked all the supporters, sponsors and specially the members who worked day and night to organize Mangalorean Day 2008.

It was a great effort by Valerian Dantis and his team to organize such a great and enjoyable event for the community. Certainly, they need to be applauded for their selfless service to the community.

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