Meeting and Get-together of the Members of Bellevision-Muscat

Report by: Glenda Castelino, Muscat
Pictures by: Dolphy Frank
Bellevision Media Network

Muscat, 10 April 2010: The members of the Bellevision of Muscat had a meeting cum get-together at Al-Khuwair on Friday, 9th April 2010 at 12 noon. This was the second meeting of the Bellevision-Muscat during this year (2010). There were two reasons for this meeting. First, to welcome Dr. Eugene D’Souza, one of the chief correspondents of Bellevision.Com who is on a short visit to Muscat and secondly to bid good bye to one of the founder members of Bellevision in Muscat, John (Jillu) Lobo and his family who will be leaving Muscat shortly to  settle down in Mangalore.

Mr. Edward Mendonca in his introductory address pointed out the purpose behind the meeting. Thereafter, Mr. Simon D’Souza, President of the Bellevision-Muscat introduced Dr. Eugene D’Souza. In his message to the members of the Bellevision-Muscat, Dr. Eugene explained the reason behind his visit to Dubai and Muscat and pointed out the need to highlight the activities of Bellevision in particular and Mangalorean community in general in Bellevision.com website. As a token of remembrance of the presence of Dr. Eugene and his wife, Mrs. Benny in the meeting, the Chairman of Bellevision, Mr. Lawrence Alva and President-Mr. Simon D’Souza presented them a memento.

Mr. John Lobo and his family who will be leaving Muscat for good and settle down in Mangalore were given a warm send off and were presented a memento by the Chairman and President of the Bellevision along with Dr. Eugene.

Following the meeting group photographs were taken and the members and their families had lunch, the delicious dishes of which were prepared by different families in a true community spirit.

Bellevision-Muscat had a humble beginning in early 2003. Though there were a number of Belleans working and living in Muscat, they hardly had any meaningful interaction with each other. After the establishment and successful functioning of the Bellevision in UAE, few well intentioned young men of Muscat especially Ignatius Castelino, Melvyn Noronha, Valerian D’Souza and John (Jillu) Lobo initiated a move to bring the Belleans closer during the early part of 2003.

Simon D’Souza (President), Lawrence Alva (Chairman)

Edward Mendonca, Felcy Frank (Secretary and Treasurer)

Ms. Glenda Castelino (Bellevision-Muscat Correspondent)

Fr. Valerian D’Souza, the then Parish Priest of Moodubelle who was on a short visit to Muscat  in November 2003 to seek donations for the construction of a new church encouraged the Belleans to have their own association. This led to the establishment of the Bellevision-Muscat in November 2003 of which Mr. Lawrence Alva, a prominent academician and General Manager of  National Training Institute (NTI) became the Founder President. Mrs. Felcy Frank was the Secretary and Mr. Ignatius Castelino-Treasurer. Presently, Mr. Lawrence Alva is the Chairman of the Bellevision-Muscat, Mr. Simon D’Souza is the President and Mrs. Felcy Frank is the Secretary as well as Treasurer as Mr. Ignatius Castelino has migrated to Dubai.

According to Mr. Simon D’Souza, though many people from Belle work and live  in the Muscat, a large number of them work in hotels and other establishments in far away places. Many of them are not in a position to attend the meetings on holidays-Thursdays and Fridays as they are busy at their work place. Hence, the membership of Bellevision is considerably less compared to other places. In order to increase the membership an attempt is being made to include the parishioners of Kuntalnagar, Pamboor and Kanajar as members of Bellevision-Muscat.

Mrs. Felcy Frank pointed out that the members of the Belelvision and their families organise meetings and get-together during the first week of January every year to synchronise with the New year and the Annual Parish  feast of Moodubelle. During the year they also meet during the Easter, on the occasion of the feast of St. Lawrence in August and Nativity of Our Lady in September. During the Eid holidays in the month of November-December they also organise picnics to different places.

The Chairman of Bellevision-Muscat, Mr. Lawrence Alva says that along with the meetings he wants to promote among the Belleans the ‘Life Skills’ such as effective communication skills, setting goals in life and ways to achieve them, and to build a community with harmony and understanding which would rise above the petty things.

Bellevision welcomes Ms. Glenda Castelino as the Reporter of Bellevision-Muscat.