Qatar: Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo of Udupi graces Monti Fest celebration of MCC

By Gerald D’Souza
Bellevision Media Network

Doha/Qatar, 13 Sep 2016: Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) celebrated the annual traditional Monti Fest celebrations in full grandeur at CBSE-I Auditorium of MES Indian School, Abu Hamour, here on Friday September 9. 

 

The chief guest of the evening was Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi diocese in Karnataka. Bishop Dr Lobo inspired the audience with his powerful message and had the audience spellbound with his achievements and his vision for the people of his diocese.

 

 

Rita Andrade, compere of the evening opened the program with an introduction of Monti Fest and greeting the gathering. The evening began with a meaningful prayer song sung by little children, ‘Balok Moriye Amche Raniye,’ glorifying Infant Mary and invoking her blessings on the program. Music was played by young Adlyn D’Souza who were trained by Alwyn D’Souza.

 

The cultural program then followed with the little children’s dance performed on the song ‘Shivnthi Aboli,’ set the program mood with their beautiful performance. Dance was choreographed by Wilma D’Souza and Wendy Lewis. Budding singers brothers Joswin and Joshwa Pinto sang, ‘Sheek Sheek,’ from the album Kinkulle of Melvyn Peris, entertained all with their melodious singing and Prathap Menezes accompanied them on keyboard.   

 

The stage program was conducted by cultural secretary Prabha Rego who invited guests on stage. President Prakash Noronha then welcomed the guests on dais: chief guest Bishop Dr Lobo, guests of honor Fr Pius James D’Souza OCD, Fr Anand Castelino, spiritual director of Konkani community in Qatar, William Aranha, managing director of Integral Food Services, Gerald D’Mello, founder member of MCC, vice president Ronald Saldanha and the gathering.

 

In his address, Ronald informed MCC is reaching 25 years and is planning its celebration by sponsoring 25 students this year for their education and has already started by sponsoring 4 students. He also outlined about upcoming calendar programs of MCC and will conduct ‘Gulf Baila Naach,’ a baila dance competition within gulf countries with the finale to be held in April 2017 during its annual program. He then along with the guests on stage lighted the lamp inaugurating 25th year celebration. Then joint secretary Ryan Renjar conducted the award ceremony to all the 26 achievers in academics who excelled in graduation, II PUC and SSLC exams, sports and in other fields who have made all Mangaloreans proud with their excellent achievements. The achievers are: Sana Britto, Ashlyn D’Souza, Russel Mendonca, Jessica D’Souza, Samantha Fernandes, Mitchelle Machado, Nadine D’Souza, Richelle Andrade, Amelita Martis, Gracious D’Souza, Royston Buthello, Alaric D’Souza. Naveen D’Almeida, Brian Mendonsa, Candida Rodrigues, Darryl Saldanha, Erica D’Souza, Adlyn D’Souza, Angela D’Souza, Ruth Quadros, Aaron D’Souza, Darren D’Souza, Neil Noronha, Nidhi Noronha, Marilyn Rego and Kevin Monthero who were honored by Bishop Dr Lobo.

 

The general secretary Riana Pinto then introduced William Aranha, a successful entrepreneur and was honored for his strong support to MCC and community. Bishop Lobo honored him with shawl and memento. William Aranha thanked MCC and praised Bishop for his visionary achievements.

 

The past president Norbert Corda introduced Bishop Dr Lobo and the read the citation letter. President Prakash along with all advisors honored Bishop with citation letter, shawl and memento.

 

Bishop addressed the gathering and conveying his nativity message and congratulating MCC on its silver anniversary celebrations, for encouraging students honoring their achievements, creating a home away from home for all Mangaloreans here in Qatar and uniting them through this Novem Jevaan and keeping the Konkani culture alive. He then gave a brief report of his diocesan work, his vision, mission and plan for 10 years outlined in his book ‘Diocesan Plan 2025’ and achievements so far. He mentioned how he has enlightened the people about the various schemes and facilities that can be availed by students for education purposes, employment purpose, empowerment of women, received aid from government applied through various government schemes and enabled children to support their endless studies and the needy, formed women’s Committee in every parish, instilled leadership growth by strengthening Parish council and other committees who are responsible for implementing the 18 points plans for the progress of each parish. He also made us aware that we rarely make use of the scholarship facilities available to us as minorities and Catholics. The government is allocating us funds but then either we are ignorant or maybe ashamed to claim the funds that are rightfully ours and do not belong to the Government. He stressed on the need of the hour as we rarely find catholic students opting for career in civil services which is highly rewarding. He then requested President to conduct career guidance to young students to guide them of various courses available and can enter guidance to choose IAS, IPS careers and other government services to brighten their future. He also added that he has in his vision to have bank for Ladies and form association of young businessmen pooling in with established businessmen to share and pool the business knowledge. The audiences were really engrossed in his speech and were spell bound to know so much details which most of them were unaware of.

 

 

Fr Pius James D’Souza  OCD, a visiting carmelite priest who had come to conduct 9-day novena and celebrate the Nativity Feast of  Blessed Virgin Mary at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Qatar. He has released the Club newsletter, ‘Sugandh,’ presented by editor Savious Crasta. Fr Pius then spoke a few words on the occasion and praised the club for bringing the community together to celebrate the feast as one family.

 

Fr Anand Castelino, then blessed the coconut milk and Novem Jevaan with offering grace before meals. The coconut milk was then served to all.

 

Then the second part of cultural program started with a lively dance by baby Gia Noronha choreographed by Gina Noronha to the song ‘Kukre kukoo.’ Group song along with folk and western dance mixture was performed on the song on Monti Fest, ‘Yeya Ho Yeya Ho.’ It was sung by Rupert Lobo, Naveen D’Souza, Neil D’Silva, Ullas D’Souza, Jovita D’Souza, Eva Wilma Pinto, Riana Pinto and Sunita D’Souza. Dancers were Gina and Elena Noronha, Shown & Sean Fernandes, Ryan Renjar, Jyothi Gomes, Pressy and Jeevan Rayan. Dance was choreographed by Affney D’Souza, Effy Noronha and Shalini Monteiro.

 

This was followed by a skit directed by Naveen and Renzil was presented by young budding talents Naveen Melvyn D’Souza, Errol Tauro, Mervin Denzil D’Souza, Jaison Renzil D’Souza and Agnel Ullas D’Souza. A beautiful duet song, ‘Hathanth Gevun Moga Haath,’ composed by Ajith Peter was rendered by Rupert Lobo and Preema Pinto GVOM 2 semifinalist and 2nd place winner of GVOM 3 impressed the audience with their lovely singing. Humorous joke ‘Poleile Sakkad zai,’ enacted by Anil Cutinho, Clement Fernandes  and Arthur Serrao had the crowd in laughter. Beautiful choreographed dance by Venal Rhea Castelino to the song ‘Ubchya Sukynano’ was performed by Greg D’Cunha, Shown Fernandes, Gina and Elena Noronha, Vanessa Saldanha and Naveen D’Souza and was very well appreciated by audience.

 

The vice president Ronald Saldanha proposed the vote of thanks. President Prakash Noronha then honored Mary Menezes, mother/mother-in-law of MCC member Gina and Robert Lobo, the main chef for the home cooked food who is on visit to Qatar.

 

Anil Cutinho, Clement Fernandes and Vivian D’Souza presented their second joke and tickled the bones of audience. Final dance, ‘Baila Naach Vaareva,’ choreographed by Shilpa Fernandes was performed by Naveen Melvin D’Souza, Shilpa Fernandes, Savious and Preem Crasta, Pradeep and Shaila Menezes. Finally, it was concluded by singing, ‘Laudate Dominum,’ and concluded with having family meal Novem Jevaan of 7 vegetables, sannas and Vorn prepared at home by several volunteers under the leadership of Mary Menezes, Vivian D’Souza and Jossy D’Souza at the residence of Gerald D’Mello. Several lady volunteers prepared sannas in their homes.

 

Rita Andrade with her fluent Konkani compered the cultural program meticulously. Some spot games were also conducted. After dinner, game of bingo was played and was conducted by Patrick D’Souza. 

 

Presidents and officials of other Karnataka based organizations Ravi Shetty and Ramachandra Shetty of Tulukoota, Deepak Shetty and Subramanya Hebbagilu of Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Navneeth Shetty of Bunts Qatar, Divakar Poojary, general secretary of ICC Qatar, Simon D’Silva of GWA and others graced the occasion.

 

MCC executive Committee thanked all volunteers who joined hands in the preparation of Novem Jevaan, all participants and all who supported in every way to make this program a success.