UAE: Young and Old Flock at Aloysian - Agnesian Reunion 2009
Report by Naveen Frank Sharjah
Pics by Ashok Belman / Ronie Dcunha / Colin Dsouza
Daijiworld Media Network - UAE
Sharjah, Feb 7: There could not have been a better day for the young and old to flock together at the Sharjah Wanderers Sports club, Sharjah UAE. A bright sunny morning and the cool weather set off the beginning of the Agnesian –Aloysian Family Day on the morning of 06 February 2009.
The reverberating voice of the well known MC Errol Goveas welcomed the gathering. Agnesians and Aloysians clad in white and blue walked onto to the centre with white flags and converged as one.
The Chair person of the Agnesian committee Ms Geanette Dsouza welcomed the gathering. In her message she said , “ we are living extensions of two great colleges of Mangalore, without walls.”
Shoba Mendonca read the message on behalf of the Principal of St Agnes College Rev Sr Marie Prem Dsouza AC. The message said, “ may all that you do today be a sign of solidarity and unity true to the spirit of St Agnes College.
Fr Swebert Dsilva SJ , Principal St Aloysius College , who graced the occasion said ,” once an Aloysian , forever an Aloysian. You are ambassadors all over the world to promote true ideals of St Aloysius College.” He said. He also updated the gathering on the college facilities including the new campus.
The respective college anthems were sung and blue and white balloons were released into the bright blue sky, officially declaring open the Family Day.
A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect for the departed soul of Sucheta Moras who was a part of the Alumni association for many years .
Immediately after the formal function, the first surprise upset of the day was the outright win by the Agnesians who beat the Aloysians in the tug-of war game.
Neville , well know MC of yesteryears made a guest appearance and joined Errol to keep the ball rolling. Spot prizes for the youngest and the oldest Aloysians and Agnesians were given away.
All the sponsors, benefactors ,donors and well wishers were felicitated.
The Ball room dance competition evoked a healthy response where the young and the not very old took their partners and swayed to the beautiful music of the Agaloy Band. Donna and Jerome were judged the best couple dancers while Joseph and Cherryl walked away with the second place.
The best of it all was the fashion show with a difference, that kept the audience spell bound . Various teams brought in their best, displaying winter wear, ethnic wear, sports wear, night wear ( authentic Mangalorean blue checked lungi ) , the Indian wear, western wear, classical Indian and contemporary wear.
Prominent among them was Prasad Pereira ( the Biddappa of Dubai) , the fashion designer who had put the group together.
It was a tough task for the judges Jennifer Mascarenhas, Albert Rodrigues and Rebecca to pick up the best performers. But the decisive group winners were the Sharjah Rubies. In close second place were the Dynamites .
Fr Denzil Lobo SJ and Fr Swebert Dsilva of St Aloysius college honored four great stalwarts of the UAE , Jerome Pereira, the first Chairman of St Aloysius Alumni in the UAE, Robert Rego , second Chairman and Ronnie Dcunha , former president Oswald D'Souza from Abu Dhabi, followed by Sydney Dsouza , the current Chairman for their outstanding services and commitment to the cause . Apparently it was after the second Aloysian Alumni meet that the Agnesian alumni joined together and subsequently had the joint Agnesian Aloysian Alumni association since then.
Housie housie, lucky draws, grand draws and spot prizes kept the crowd eager and alert right through the day.
The spice of Mangalore came out best when the baila was sung by the performing band. The whole crowd came up on the dance floor swaying and dancing to the tune of the band.
The sun slowly set on the west, a cool breeze blew over the Sharjah Wanderers club, a gloom cast over the faces . The obvious reason – It was the end of a memorable day.