Aishwarya Shetty crowned 17th May Queen in Doha

By Jerald DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Doha, 09 May 2017: The Giwana Hall in Radisson Blu Hotel burst into a celebration as Aishwarya Shetty was crowned the 17th May Queen by Bollywood actor Nikitin Dheer in the august company of actress Ester Noronha, Goan Welfare Association president Simon D’Silva, chief guest Luizinho Faleiro, MLA and ex-chief minister of Goa, on Friday.

 

Aishwarya was perhaps the best choice to be the 17th May Queen as her wisdom matched her beauty. While Varsha Shrivastav was crowned as the fi rst runner-up, Rebekka Bijoy was chosen as the second runner-up. Aishwarya walked away with a bunch of stunning prizes including a gold necklacependant given by Prakath Jewelers, a Doha-Goa return ticket by Air India Express, a three-day free stay at beach resort etc. The evening was set to be a memorable one and it did live up to its reputation. In the last 16 years, if anything has been synonymous with Goa and Goans in Qatar, then it has to be the annual May Queen Ball. The event, organised by the Goan Welfare Association and led by social activist Simon D’Silva, has always been known for music, prizes, gifts, surprises and more.

 

 

It was Mahesh Prabhu from Bahrain who set the ball rolling with his eloquent entry as one of the comperes of the evening. After welcoming the gathering in his signature style, Mahesh paved the way for the entry of Doha’s favourite, ace DJ Glorio who almost immediately breathed in spirit and gaiety amongst the audience with some scintillating numbers. As the evening wore on, the dance fl oor had couples fl ooding in huge numbers, dancing to the groovy and peppy songs of DJ Glorio.

 

Then it was the turn of Goa’s top-most live band Alcatrazz to up the tempo of the fabulous evening with their opening burst that had some memorable and evergreen peppy numbers. As Alcatrazz belted out some of the everlasting numbers the dance fl oor within the Giwana Hall of Radisson Blu obliged with glee. There was hardly anyone who could resist the temptation from storming to the dance fl oor and celebrating the evening. Just like the Alcatrazz, Updesh Swar doesn’t need an introduction. Over the last 15 years, he has carved a niche for himself with his eloquent and witty compering. He has been one of the best hosts of our times and, on Friday, he lived up to his top billing. He has the unique ability to hold sway over the audience and the event that invariably set the mood for the event.

 

The guests of the evening were Ester Noronha, Nikitin Dheer, Raj Kumar Singh, deputy chief of mission, Embassy of India, Qatar and Luizinho Faleiro, MLA and the exchief minister of Goa made their way into the Giwana Hall amidst the thunderous applause from the cheering gathering.

 

The much-awaited live performance of Ester Noronha was anything but spectacular. Ester is renowned for belting out hit Konkani numbers of legendary Lorna during her singing career in Mangalore, Mumbai and elsewhere. She was at melodious best at the Giwana Hall as she presented some of the most memorable Goan numbers such as Bebdo, Piso etc that brought down the house with reverberating applause by the audience.

 

 

Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO of Doha Bank, was felicitated during the event for receiving the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA). Dubai’s Orbit Events & Marketing was launched in Qatar offi cially during the event. Orbit Qatar is led by Simon D’Silva as Managing Director and Gasdy Fernandes as Marketing Head.

 

The icing on the cake for the evening came in the form of the crowning of the 17th May Queen who was chosen among 14 beautiful contestants. The beauty pageant was judged by Archie D’Mello, Ester Noronha and Antonio Nunes, The jury panel was headed by M S Bukhari.

 

The event was also attended by number of guests from India and GCC; Carmo Santos, chairman, Goan Cultural Centre – Kuwait, T-Bush, International Films, Kuwait, Antonio Nunes, leader of Archies Band – Goa, Francis Correia, businessman – Bahrain, Gabriel Crasto, chairman, Bahrain Football League, Manuxin Fernandes, Dubai Trio King, Bardroy Barretto, director of Nachom-ia Kumpasar and Glen Barretto, Bollywood director etc.

 

At the end of the day it was a wonderful and successful May Queen Ball by Goan Welfare Association. The organisers ably led by Simon D’Silva and well assisted by the GWA managing committee members presented another fl awless and perfectly planned event adding one more feather into the already glittering cap of Goan Welfare Association.