News & pics: Vinod Lewis

Kuwait, Sep 11: Kuwait Brahmavar Welfare Association (KBWA) celebrated Monthi Fest with devotion and grandeur on September 8 at Indian Community School, Khaitan.

KBWA has been organizing the Monthi Fest on a grand scale in the past nine years by providing a platform to all Brahmavargaars to come together to celebrate the Monthi fest with traditional flavor recreating the fond memories of the Monthi Fest celebration back home in their native place.

Compere Walter Santhmayor gave a brief introduction about the programme and welcomed all the dignitaries and guests. The programme commenced with singing the theme song of the association. The new corn was brought in procession with singing of hymns. Fr Ivan Melwin D’Souza, pastoral minister at Padre Pio Friary Sri Lanka and Fr Noel Lewis, vicar, St Thomas Orthodox Church, Sastan, along with other priests blessed the new corn. All children enthusiastically participated in offering the flowers to Mother Mary.

Parish priests Fr Ivan Melwin D’Souza, Fr Noel Lewis, and Fr Noel Almeida from Abbasiya, Kuwait; Fr Jacob Thomas, vicar, St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait and Fr Giju George, associate vicar, St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait, were the guests of honour of the programme.

President L J D’Souza escorted the guests to the dais and extended warm welcome to all the guests present and expressed his gratitude for the support and cooperation extended. The invited dignitaries and sponsor of the event were felicitated with a bouquet of flowers.

Secretary Roshan Rodrigues presented the brief report of the activities of the association, highlighting the events of the past year and donations given to the worthy causes.

Fr Ivan Melwin D’Souza and Fr Noel Lewis in their key note address congratulated KBWA members for organizing the Monti Fest on grand scale and invited everyone to strengthen the Christian spirit by working united for the worthy causes. Other guests of honors also gave their brief message highlighting the importance of this festival and expressed their happiness for being part of the celebrations. Vice-president Ozwald D’Souza rendered the vote of thanks.

The variety of cultural programmes, were performed by talented children and members of the association.

It was the time for ‘Family Meal’ and Fr Giju George conducted the Grace before meals. As per Mangulorean Tradition vegetarian meal was served on banana leaves with variety of vegetables like 'Alu Dento', 'Tendli-chana', 'Padval' and Dal, Beans, 'Kuvalon Bapat' and 'Vorn'. Brahmavargaars signature item home cooked ‘Fish Curry’ was the highlight of the lunch and appreciated by one and all. More than 600 guests were present on the occasion and thanked the organization for recreating the Monti Fest celebration in native flavour.

Raffle draw was organized and attractive prizes were distributed to the lucky winners. Walter brilliantly compered the programme and distributed generous spot prizes those who answered the quiz questions related to Mother Mary. Everyone appreciated KBWA for the well organized celebrations.