Dubai: Emirates Pangalites UAE Celebrates Feast of Nativity
News & Pics: Jovin D'Souza, Ignatius Alva
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (VA)
Dubai, Sept 20: Emirates Pangalites UAE celebrated the Feast of Nativity at Richmond Hotel Apartments, Bur Dubai on Thursday September 16 under the guidance of newly formed working committee.
The feast was celebrated traditionally under the slogan ‘Sakkad sangatha melya’. The programme commenced at 9 pm. Clevin D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Then he invited Ignatius Alva to lead the prayer ceremony. It was followed by singing of traditional hymns ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melyan and Moriyek Hogosieam’. The tiny tots showered the flowers to Infant Mary.
Later the Novem was distributed to all gathering. Then followed the traditional ceremony of bringing blessed ‘Kanshy’ by newly wedded couples Ashwin and Vinitha who took the honour to handover the Kanshi to Julias and Hilda Pinto who were the elder family members of Emirates Pangalites.
The president of Emirates Pangalites Vinay Vaz welcomed the gathering. In his speech he stressed the need for unity as they celebrated the feast as a family. He said, “Today’s celebration would help everybody to rewind their memories of back home”. He wished everybody a happy feast.
The former president Jovin D’Souza, in his speech reminded the gathering about back home activities during the Monti feast. He expressed his childhood memories of searching flowers in neighboring gardens, making bouquet full of flowers, showering these flowers to Mother Mary. He also spoke about the delicious ‘Kutma Jevan’ along with all family members and non catholic neighborhood with lots of varieties of veggies.
Founder president Michael Castelino organized a felicitation programme for the founder member Alban and Jacintha Castelino. Joseph Mathias honored Alban Castelino with shawl, Richard Castelino handed over the fruits and president Vinay Vaz presented the memento to him. Former president Alphonse Mendonca handed over the flower bouquet to Jacintha Castelino for all her support.
The entertainment programme was compered by Joel Quadras who conducted various games. He formed four groups and named them in four colors as pink, green yellow and blue teams. They competed with each other for supremacy in various games. Finally, the green coloured group came out victorious.
Jovin D’Souza felicitated Deeksha D’Mello, daughter of Dolphy and Shaila D’Mello for her outstanding academic performance in 10th standard and her outstanding talent in dance.
The dinner was served traditionally on banana leaves with lots of delicious and variety of vegetables and vorn. The food was supplied by Al Shaya restaurant, Karama.
The housie-housie game was conducted prior to closing ceremony and prizes were distributed to the winners. The vote of thanks was rendered by Ashwin D’Souza for all those who supported the celebration.