Bahrain: Chithira Johnson Crowned May Queen - 2008
Ronald D. F. D’Souza &  Joe  Andrade
Daijiworld Media Network – Bahrain
(In put by G. R. Crasto)
 
In one of the biggest shows organised by the Goans in the Middle East, Chithira Johnson was crowned the Splash May Queen 2008 at Marina Club in Bahrain on May 22. Vanessa D’souza was the 1st runner up and Tanu Alexander took the 2nd runner up spot.

Ms Johnson and Dsouza were the Winner and 2nd runner up respectively in the May Queen Ball of Qatar Goans Welfare Association (GWA), held on May 8. The 21-year-old Ms. Johnson is a second year Bachelor of Arts student in Bangalore. She is majoring in psychology, sociology and literature. Runner-up Vanessa D'Souza, 25, also from Qatar,  is a Master's in Business Administration gold medal winner. The third winner Tanu Alexander Justus, 19, is a first year student of Business Administration at Birla Institute of Technology International Centre, Bahrain. The others who made to the final round of 8 from 21 contestants of different nationalities were Monalisa D’Costa (Goan Cultrual Centre - Kuwait) Judeanne Rosario (GWA - Qatar) and from Bahrain.

The best hair do prize went to Carol Lobo, while the best smile and photogenic prizes were given to Sharada Tilak Vyas  and Jocelyn DSouza respectively.

The beauty pageant organised by the Young Goans Club (YGC), attracted a capacity crowd of 1000 people, to look on the 21 contestants vying for the title in three rounds. The first round was for casual or sport wear called ‘Casually Yours’. In the second round ‘Dressed To Kill’ the contestants took to the catwalk in their formal wear. The third round titled ‘Head Over Shoulders’ was to test the intellectual brilliance of the top 8 contestants only.

The pageant was under the scrutiny of 5 judges who were Zafar Ali – Group Marketing Manager of Al Rashid Group, Marina Kairouz – Brand Manager (Nina Ricci) from Jashanmal & Sons, Neomi D’Souza – Regional Sales Manager for Royal Carribean Cruises, Hamish Mcintyre – Art Director by Profession and  Alisson Haider - a former May Queen of YGC.

The catwalk was set against the backdrop of the Marina Beach with a panoramic view of the boats bobbing in the water and the moon shining down on the contestants. The pageant was projected on a large side screen, which displayed sceneries of Goa during the breaks.

During the event YGC felicitated some of the recipients of the Global Goans Community Service Leadership Awards from the Goa Government. The awardees included Simon D’Souza - President of the Goa Welfare Association Qatar, Carmo Santos - Chairman of Goan Cultural Centre Kuwait, Alfredo D’Souza - Vice President Bahrain Migrant Workers Society, Francis Correia - President YGC and G.R.Crasto - Chairman of Bahrain Goans Football League.
 
Other notable invitees for the show were Mathew Estrocio, Martin Mascarenhas - Vice Presidents of Goan Welfare Association - Qatar, Bartholomeu J. Silveira Goan Community Social Worker from Abu-Dhabi and Paula Silveira - Director of My Money Mart - Goa.

A book of Konkani poems entitled ‘ZOIT ani her kovita” by Walter Menezes was released on the occasion through the hands of the President of the Club - Francis Correia.

 
The YGC care-taking Managing committee was formally introduced to the audience towards the end of the event and the Club President addressed the gathering while the YGC Vice President Gerard Fernandes Proposed a vote of thanks.

The event was choreographed by Kevin D’Cunha and compeered by G.R.Crasto. Radio Bahrain’s top DJ Krazy Kevin hosted the main pageant. 
 
In between the competition rounds the event featured group dances that included a fusion of western and Indian dance styles, salsa and the traditional Goan workers (Vauraddi) dance. The live band Aryan Fame provided foot-tapping music for the dance sessions, while DJ Alfie of Music & Light arranged the light effects and sound.
 
Maria Joseph won a 32 inches LCD Television set of the free raffle sponsored by MY Money Mart Goa, held during the event.
 
This mega event on the entertainment calendar of the club was sponsored by Splash, Oman Air, Home Electronics, KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre.The Co-sponsors are Citibank, Jashanmal & Sons, Seven seas, Bahrain Financing, Writers Relocations, LIC, Royal and Sun Insurance, Mercury Contracting, Mohd Fakhroo & Sons, Selcon, Elite Group, Bayan Group,Yaquby International, State Bank of India, Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait, Axis Bank-Goa & My Money Mart Goa