Pics: Sunil Crasto
Doha, May 1: The full-house Giwana Hall in Radisson Blu Hotel went bersek in applause and burst into celebration when young charming bold and brainy, breath-takingly beauty Krystal Rodrigues crowned the 19th May Queen by the Bollywood actor, dancer and comedian, Javed Jafri in the august company of his brother; actor, writer, director and television host, Naved Jafri along with the chief guest, Luizinho Faleiro, MLA & former chief minister of Goa, Bollywood choreographer and dancer, Longinus Fernandes, Goan Bollywood Director, Glen Barretto and president of Goan Welfare Association (GWA) Simon D’Silva.The full-house weekend audience rose in deafening applause that reverberated through the majestic Giwana Hall.
May Queen winner Krystal walked away with the crown and bunch of stunning prizes including gold necklace by Prakkat Jewellers, a Doha-Goa-Doha return ticket by Oman Air, lunch voucher for two by St. Regis Hotel, Overnight stay for two at Horizon Manor Hotel, gift vouchers by Fabindia, ladies wrist watch, gift hamper of perfumes and facial vouchers.
Stunning, tall and slim Anshu Jain was crowned as first runner-up by Bollywood actor, writer and director Naved Jafri. Anshu won diamond ring by Marhaba Jewellers, overnight stay for two at Horizon Manor Hotel, dinner for two at Oryx Rotana, ladies wrist watch, gift vouchers by Fabindia, gift hamper of perfumes and facial vouchers.
Gorgeous blonde Bettina D’Souza was adjudged second runner-up and was crowned by Bollywood choreographer/dancer Longinus Fernandes. She walked away with ladies wrist watch, dinner for two at Intercontinental Doha, gift vouchers by Fabindia, gift hamper of perfumes and facial vouchers.
The grand gala traditional 19th Annual May Queen ball organised by Goan Welfare Association in collaboration with orbit events and marketing on 25th April at Radisson Blu was a grand success and delivered on its promise of exhilarating music and spectacular performances laced with fun, frolic and excitement. This is one of the eagerly awaited annual eventsin Doha and every year it attracts full-house audience who make it a memorable event. April 25 was no different and the renowned Updesh Swar, the top most compere of Goa set the tone for the evening. Updesh has a unique hold over the audience, his eloquent, witty compering is second to none.
However it was the much-awaited entry of the most celebrated Goan band ‘Forefront’ that upped the mercury within the four walls of unusually cool Giwana ballroom. Forefront and Updesh together are a lethal combination that has the ability to set floor on fire with their spectacular performances. Forefront played the opening track ‘Coming back to life by Pink Floyd’.
The glittering full-house evening had lot in store in the form of surprises and prizes as the organizers rained in number of attractive prizes to the people on the dancing floor.
As the evening wore on the dance floor at couple flooding in huge number with the memorable dances and fantastic music, the Bollywood guests, Javed Jafri, Naved Jafri, Longinus Fernandes, Glen Barretto and the chief guest Luizinho Faleiro made their way into the jam packed Giwana Hall escorted by GWA president Simon D’Silva. They were welcomed with flower bouquets; Luizinho Faleiro by Tania Rodrigues, Javed Jafri by Carie Santos of Kuwait, Naved Jafri by Trupti Marshall of Kuwait, Longinus Fernandes by Rekha Borkar of Kuwaitand Glen Barretto by Deepshikha Barretto.
Thereafter, Lorna Cordeiro, Nightingale of Goa made a grand enchanting entry in the Giwana Hall by singing ‘Aikat Mozo Tavo’ as she enters from the main entrance that continued till she took the centre stage followed by her epic mesmerising voice and soundtracks backed by Norman Cardozo and Joaquim D’Souza.
It was patronised by not only local guests but also guests from GCC countries, UK and India. Among them most popular was Carmo Santos, president of Goan Cultural Centre known as Airlift man from Kuwait.
The May Queen contest was very glamorous and conducted in great style and fanfare. Each contestant was a winner in her own way with graceful looks, proud walk, witty answers and alluring smile, making it very difficult for the jury panel. Witty yet thought-provoking questions shot at them but the contestants were up to the task as they came out with equally-good answers compelling the audience to put their hands together in sheer appreciation of beauty and wisdom of the contestants.
The members of the jury were escorted by Dr M S Bukhari who has been recently conferred an honorary doctorate by Kings University of U.S.A. They were Sanaullah Abdul Rahman, managing director of Gulf Lights Electrical Engineering, Azim Abbas, managing director of Al Sulaiman Jewellery & Watches, Kirti Shetty, administrative & communication manager at ABB, Sakala Debrass, fashion designer and the judging panel was coordinated by Archie D’Mello, former office director of Qatar Airways CEO.
Javed Jafri in his speech spoke about what Goa means to him and the love he has for this small state in India, cracking a few jokes about his growing up days surrounded by Goans in Bombay’s suburb, Bandra. He entertained the guests with his witty style jokes. Naved Jafri asked the audience to observe a minute silence to respect the recent incident happened in Sri Lanka.
Chief Guest Luizinho Faleiro thanked the association and said he has been patronizing the event every year and highlighted about some of the Goans shinning on the global map. He said Goans have become prime minister and ministers in different parts of the world including Portugal and UK. He said, Simon D’Silva is a vibrant and dynamic leader who is very famous in Qatarand invited him to come back to Goa to take the big political leadership as Goa is in need of young and dynamic leaders like Simon D’Silva.
Saira Joyce Mascarenhas was felicitated as Outstanding Singer at the hands of Javed Jafri and also Goan Welfare Association felicitated few committee members for their 10 years dedicated services. They were Cajetan Rodrigues, Pradeep Kotkar, Deepshikha Barretto, Tania Rodrigues, Edgar Fernandes, Effey Noronha and Allan Desouza.
The Goan Welfare Association has been the voice of Goans living in the tiny oil-rich country of Qatar for the last 20 years without any doubts, superbly led by affectionate and social activist Simon D’Silva.The association has has rendered yeoman’s service in nurturing Goan culture and spirit among the large number of Goan expatriates. On a larger note the association has always been in the forefront of reaching out to various causes back home, thus setting a shining example to all. It is therefore not astonishing to see them host events with great aplomb and success over the last two decades. The association is known not only for meticulous planning but also perfect execution and the annual May Queen Ball has been the true example for this.
Simon D’Silva thanked all the sponsors, guests, well-wishers and announced that the 20th May Queen Ball will be held on April, 16, 2020 due to the Holy month of Ramadan.
Main sponsor was Qatari Industrial Equipment, co-sponsors Hubtown Mumbai, Classic Squares Goa, Gulf Lights Electrical Engineering, Fabindia and Capital One, official bank Doha Bank, official hotel Radisson Blu Doha, Nightingale sponsor Lester Morgan Fernandes, official newspaper Gulf Times, official media and radio partner Radio Olive 106.3 FM, radio partner 89.6 One FM, and web partner Daijiworld.com.