Media release
Pics: Jerald D’Souza
Doha, July 5: In the 12th Annual General Body meeting of the Mangalore Cultural Association, Doha Qatar, held at the Ashoka Hall of Indian Cultural Centre, on July 1, Aloysius D’Souza was unanimously elected as the president and Sandeep Noronha as vice president for the term 2022-2024.
The AGM began at 6:30 PM. Sandeep Noronha, emcee for the evening welcomed the gathering. MCA members from St. Cecilia’s choir group sang the MCA geeth. There was a one-minute silence observed for the soul of Founder member CGS Taccode who passed away on May 28th, 2022. Sandeep then gave a brief insight into the association’s activities for the past 3 years and also how the association did not stop its good deeds of lending a helping hand to the poorest of the poor in our homeland, throughout the tough times of the Pandemic.
MCA Kala Puraskar 2022 for renowned theatre persona Francis Fernandes Cascia
The MCA Kala Puruskar for the year 2022 was also announced on renowned actor, dramatist, writer, director, Francis Fernandes Cascia. The award consists of a shawl, Rs 1 lac cash award, citations and a memento that will be conferred on Francis Fernandes during the annual event which will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the advisory members in attendance were Felix Lobo and Jerry Pinto, who were invited to the dais along with President Veena Rebimbus Pais, general secretary Hema Fernandes, and treasurer Jason Quadros.
President Veena Pais, greeted the advisory members with flowers.
General secretary Hema Fernandes presented the annual report for the year 2019 – 2022 which included all Events conducted by MCA and all good work done for the needy back home and in Doha. She also read that as decided by the Executive and the Advisory Committee, the MCA Kala Puruskar for the year 2022 will be bestowed on Francis Fernandes Cascia. This report was duly accepted by the members and was approved by the president and advisories. Treasurer Jason Quadros presented the Financial Report for the year 2019 - 2022, which was accepted by the members and approved by the president and advisories.
Advisory members Felix Lobo and Jerry Pinto addressed the audience and their heartfelt words resonated with the audience. Felix Lobo spoke about the upcoming election for president and vice president posts and assured his support to the new committee.
Later it was time for the outgoing president Veena to express her feelings. Ten years as the active member in the executive committee and the next five years as the president of the association, she revived her tenure and also reminisced about the early days of MCA in 2008. Remembering all the founder members and their struggles to bring MCA to this height.
“If MCA was successful to bring a smile to hundreds of needy people back home it is due to the strong foundation laid by the Advisory and Founder members,” she said. The president thanked all of them and especially her family, because of whom she could fully commit herself to the association's task all these years.
The president then called all the executive members on stage, presented them with Mementos, and thanked them wholeheartedly. The committee was then dissolved by the President, making way for a new committee for the coming two years 2022 -2024.
Past president and MCA Honorary member Arthur Pais, conducted the elections for president and vice president for the term 2022– 2024. He read the criteria for selecting president and vice president as per the MCA constitution. Aloysius D’Souza was nominated by the audience to run for the president’s post. And he was unanimously elected as the president of the association for the term 2022 - 2024. Nominations for the post of vice president were put on the floor. Sandeep Noronha was nominated for the vice president’s post and unanimously elected as the vice president of MCA for the term 2022-2024.
The newly elected President Aloysius has been actively involved in socio-cultural activities in various organizations in UAE and Qatar.
While he was working in UAE, he was involved in St. Mary’s Konkani Community, Dubai, and was the President of Lourdes Kanajar Welfare Association, UAE. When he came to Qatar he first joined the MCA Executive committee in 2010 and was elected as Vice President in 2015, he also worked as Public Relations Officer & social service coordinator. He is also the Social service coordinator of TuluKoota Qatar and an active member of Karnataka Sangha Qatar.
Aloysius addressed the gathering and thanked all for electing him with trust.
He put forward his plan of action to take MCA to new heights. He also said that with his past experiences he will do his Best to continue the good work done through MCA as MCA unlike other associations works differently, not forgetting the main objective of MCA to help the needy back home. Even during Pandemic though we had less cultural activities, the association’s work of reaching out the needy was done in full force.
Vice president Sandeep Noronha has also been actively involved with MCA since 2013 in the executive committee and worked in various positions. He also thanked everyone for electing him to this new position and assured to his Best.
As per MCA protocols, president and vice president together selected the executive committee and the sub-committees as mentioned below:
Managing Committee
Gladson Almeida – General Secretary
Melita Gloria Lobo – Joint – Secretrary
Clement Fernandes – Treasurer
Hema Fernandes – Main Cultural Coordinator
Veronica Baretto – Assistant – Cultural Cordinator
Dorothy Quadros – Sports Coordinator (Ladies)
George Menezes – Sports Coordinator (Men)
Shalini Mendonca – Membership & logistics Coordinator
Gracy Danthy – Membership & logistics Coordinator
Jovita Pereira D’Souza – Media & Communications Coordinator
Ancita D’Souza – Assistant Media & Communications Coordinator
Robert Cutinha – Public Relations & Associations Social Responsibility Coordinator
Sub Committee
Cultural team:
Naveen D’Souza
Jyoti D’Souza
Carol D’Souza
Shown Fernandes
Jane Pinto
Sports team:
Neil Roshan D’Souza
Agnel Ullas D’Souza
Lavita Rodrigues
Melwin D’Souza
Avinash D’Souza
Media & Communication:
Jerald D’Souza
Public Relations & ASR
Anil Fernandes
Della Rego
Health & First Aid:
Sharel D’Souza
Merlyn D’Souza
MCA Advisory Board consists of Felix Lobo, Wilfred Fernandes and Jerry Pinto
Honorary Members (Past Presidents) Harry Lobo, Arthur Pais and Veena Rebimbus Pais
Fr Anand Castelino, spiritual director of Konkani Community will soon bid farewell to Qatar after 12 years. He was honored for his tremendous service to the Konkani community. The citation written by Clement Fernandes was read by Wilson Mendonca. Fr Anand was honored by the Advisory, along with the past and present President. With a Shawl, Memento Fruits, Flowers & a token of Gratitude. Fr Anand later expressed his feelings to the gathering.
Cultural programmes were put forward by the members of the club.
As MCA has good entertainers on its list of members, some melodious singers, graceful dancers, and talented actors came forward to put up a beautiful Cultural evening at the ICC Ashoka Hall.
MTG Gulf edition winner and GVOM-6 Winner Clement Fernandes, GVOM 1st Runner up Christle Pinto, Master Ruben Fernandes, Praveen Lobo, Naveen & Sonia Pinto, Agnel Ullas D’Souza, Wilson Mendonca, all beautiful voices and talented performers presented Konkani songs and entertained the audience.
Amith Mathias, Geroge Menezes, and Anil Fernandes performed a comedy skit and tickled the funny bones of the gathering.
Doha’s Dancing squad Sean Fernandes, Naveen D’Souza, Shown Fernandes, Andrea Dsouza, Shilpa Rodrigues, and Nichelle D’Souza danced to a beautiful choreography done by Sean Fernandes.
Carol D’Souza conducted fun-filled and exciting spot games, throughout the program and everyone participated with full zest.
Melita Lobo proposed a vote of thanks at the end of the cultural program. Fr. Anand Castelino prayed the grace before meals. Scrumptious dinner was enjoyed by all as one big family.
The entire evening was brilliantly compared by Sandeep Noronha in his unique style with wit and humor.
The programme ended at 10 PM, and there were around 150 members in attendance.