Gerry D’Mello
Daijiworld Media Network, Toronto

Toronto, Jan 31: Manohar Pais, one of the dynamic and highly talented Konkani personalities outside India, has been unanimously re-elected as the president of ‘The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC)’ for the second term 2019-2020 during its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held recently at Sts Martha and Mary Parish, Mississauga, Canada.

Radio Mango Award winner Manohar Pais is gifted with enormous talents and was groomed as an artiste at the St Francis Xavier Parish of Bejai, Mangaluru. Before moving to Dubai in search of greener pastures, he was actively involved on Konkani stage in Mangaluru, from the year 1977 for over 15 years. During this period, he acted in over 30 plays in various parishes in Mangaluru such as passion play during Lent, inter-parish drama competitions, fund raising programmes, and other commemorating events.

As an eloquent and highly popular Master of Ceremonies, he has conducted over 500 functions and wedding receptions in various parts of South Kanara. As a teenager when he was just 17, he compered a full musical show at Town Hall Mangaluru for Paradela Bejai. Not only in various parts of India, he also performed as MC in the Middle East for the great Konkani musical shows of renowned Konkani music personalities like the late Wilfy Rebimbus, Melwyn Peris, Claud D’Souza, Rang Tarang Geet Mala, Patrao Bros, Henry D’Souza, Lawrence Saldanha during the Musical Nites organized by Mangalore Konkans Dubai and KCO in Abu Dhabi.

Manohar, who is gifted with a silken voice, has won many accolades in inter-parish competitions as a singer organized by the Konkani Natak Sabha in Mangaluru. As an actor and director par-excellence, Manohar has won several prizes in drama and fancy dress competitions including the best actor prize in All India level Konkani drama competition organized by Rangabhumi, Udupi in 1990. He directed, acted and staged the most successful ‘classic Konkani play ‘Tho Maka Naka’ in 2006 in Dubai. The DVDs of this stage play are still in great demand. After moving to Canada he has written, directed and staged four religious plays namely Fatima Saibhin, Ankwar Moriyechin Ajapan, Sontasache Mister and Anandache Mister staged during Monthi Fest festivities in Mississauga. He also directed and played a lead role in the recently staged play Kazarachi Dotorn. By profession Manohar is a banker and during the helm of his career he served Citibank NA in the Middle East reaching Senior Executive Level Positions (VP & CFO).

The MAC had very fruitful years during 2017-2018, a real drive towards unity among Mangalureans in the GTA and within Canada and a keen passion to keep the flame of culture and traditions burning brightly especially through the most cherished Nativity Feast (Monthi Fest). The members owe a huge debt of gratitude to the incumbent President, Manohar Pais and the Executive Committee, who have served the Mangalurean community tirelessly by promoting MAC in the GTA and within Canada.

Seated (L to R): Laveena D’Souza (General Secretary); Asha Mathias ( Assistant Treasurer); Manohar Pais (President); Vidya Alvares (Vice President); Prescilla D’Souza (Treasurer).
Back row (L to R): Ivan Lobo (Auditor); Charles D’Souza (Sports and Youth Secretary); Ronald D’Souza (Liturgical Facilitator); John D’Souza (Cultural Secretary); Leo D’Cunha (Web Master); Olwin Pereira (PR Coordinator). 

Under the leadership of our able, energetic, talented President, Manohar Pais, working in unison with the elected EC, the community members and the dedicated volunteers, MAC had another stellar year of successful events and accomplishments.

A few highlights:

MAC Social: MAC’s annual Family Social was held at Payal Banquet Hall, Mississauga on the 5th of May 2018. Response from the community was excellent and the event was attended by over 550 people which is a record in “MAC Social” history.

MAC Picnic: MAC annual picnic was held on June 23 at Meadowale Conservation Park, Mississauga. There were games for all age brackets – from the young ones to the young at heart. Games like Tug of war, Water Balloon toss, Ring toss, volleyball, throw-ball and gather the card were well appreciated. There was great enthusiasm all around and people enjoyed the potluck lunch followed by watermelon and tea.

Monti Fest: MAC’s signature event, Monti Fest was held on Sept 9th, 2018, at Maximilian Kolbe Parish. Proceedings started with the Novena and Mother Mary was venerated with flowers by the children of the Mangalorean community in an offering ceremony, after which the entire congregation held a procession towards the church hall for a liturgical celebration led by Fr. Edwin D’Souza, and co-celebrated by Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Andrew Lewis and Deacon Sarfraz Pinto. Cultural event followed at the Pope John Paul II hall with over 350 guests present. This year’s highlight was the cultural event presented by MAC’s talented youth. From emceeing to dance and songs, they kept everyone enthralled. This was anchored by the folk dance and short play put together by our members. Scholarships of $1000 and $500 were awarded to, Aaron Mathias and Vivek Pereira, children of our members in good standing, for their academic excellence and voluntary services to the community.

Volunteer appreciation dinner - held at Konkan Delite on November 3 to express gratitude to all MAC volunteers who have supported us all through the year.

With the guidance and support from the spiritual director, MAC has been able to celebrate Konkani mass every second Saturday of the month. During the Holy season of Lent, the Mangalorean Association of Canada held Stations of the Cross every week, and arranged for renowned preachers such as Fr Henry Alva, Fr Roshan D’Souza and Fr Edwin Gonsalves, who preached and held retreats after the Stations of the Cross. MAC also trained children and youth of the Mangalorean community to conduct a special way of the cross and to do the mass readings.

MAC organized the Christmas Tree event on December 9 following our Konkani Mass. Carols were sung under the Christmas Tree by the side of Santa’s igloo, and the children were thrilled by the big man in Red himself, as he gave away candies and gifts.

MAC’s website has been revamped with the efforts of MAC President Manohar Pais and the web master, Leo D`Cunha.

MAC's charitable contributions:

Rs.1,00,000 has been donated to Sneha Sagar Society, Malwani, India. Sr Martha Mondal and her congregation are doing a great job taking care of the orphans and the needy. MAC is proud to contribute to this worthy cause.

MAC has donated cash and non-perishable food items to Mississauga food bank. The collection for the canned food was done at our fun trip to Casino Rama and also at our Christmas event.

The formation of the new Executive Committee for the upcoming year was the main highlight of the day. The members of the new Executive Committee for the year 2019–2020 are the following:

The MAC members to look forward for exhilarating events organized by the energetic, talented and vibrant EC team under the dynamic leadership of Manohar Pais.

(With media inputs)