Doha: J R Lobo, Enthralled at MCC’s Monti Fest Celebrations

By Raj Maxim Rodrigues
Bellevision Media Network

Doha-Qatar, 14 Sep 2013: Newly elected MLA from Mangalore South constituency Mr. J. R. Lobo, was enthralled at the Monti Fest celebrations in Doha by the veteran Mangalorean Club, MCC on Friday, 13 September. In his key note speech, Mr. Lobo expressed his gratitude for the efforts MCC is exerting in bringing the Mangalorean konkani community together, keeping it bonded as a family through the much wanted cultural activities and thereby creating a mini Mangalore in the city of Doha.  He encouraged MCC to continue their service to the community to keep alive the Mangalorean culture and the Konkani language in Doha and make feel the konkani people at home.

 

In his key note speech Mr. Lobo expressed his thanks to all those who worked hard to get him elected to the Karnataka Legislative body and remembered that though the konkani speaking community is a minority, people from all walks of like voted him to the office with the sole intention to bring in change.  He reiterated his intention of making Mangalore a model city and second only to the Karnataka capital.

 

President Sunil D’Silva in his welcome speech summarized the hitherto achievement of MCC and outlined the upcoming programmes.  He commended MCCs efforts of the past 21 years in celebrating the monti fest and novemjevaan from a meager 15 members to a whopping 700 or so people now.

 

Prakash Noronha, General Secretary introduced Mr. J.R. Lobo and club President  honoured him with a shawl and memento for his selfless service to the community over the years as a Govt. of Karnataka civil servant, and now as the member of the legislative body.

 

Fr. Anand Castelino, OFM Cap, spiritual director of Konkani community of Our Lady of Rosary Church, and StanyAlvares were the guests of honour. Fr. Anand in his address, he likened MCC to a roof, who provide shelter to the newly arrived in Qatar, helping them get integrated into the society and extending a helping hand to the destitute. He then blessed the roce and offered the grace before meals.

 

 

The programme started with the group prayer song from little children coordinated by Lona Pinto and Dony Lobo. This was followed by songs from winners of this year’s Talent Competitions Clive D’Souza, duet dance from Ashleyn & Ashral Castelino to the tunes of “Ye go Meri”, duet from Soad 3 Finalist & GVOM 2&3 1st Runner up Naveen &Preema Pinto, Eva Wilma Pinto, Clarina Pinto, Patrick D’souza.  Alphonse D’Silvasang “Ye Nari Ye” popular number of Remo Fernandesaccompanied with dance from Ryan Renjar, Gina Noronha, Melanie Crasto, MelroyCrasto, Andrew D’Souza and Elena Noronha choreographed by Effy Noronha,solo dance from Carol D’Cunha,  duet dance from AshlynMonteiro&Clarina Pinto, solo Throne dance from Ronson Fernandes and a group dance from Thunder Kids group namely Ashleyn, Ashral, Ronson,Suzanne, Jade, Joshua and Nikita to the tunes of "YaYa Maya Ya" All performances were enjoyed and very much applauded by the audience. The crowd mood was lightened with jokes from Arthur Serrao and Bonaventure D’Souza.Vote of thanks was proposed by Dephny Lobo, Jt Facilities Secretary.

 

Mangalorean Medical Doctors Dr. Atlantic D’Souza, Dr. AshwinD’Silva, Dr. Charmaine D’Souza, Dr. Glen Fernandes, Dr. Ivan D’Souza, Dr. Oniell Fernandes, Dr. Sonia Fernandes, Dr. Ranjan Mathias and Dr. AlettaReema Fernandes working in Qatar were honoured by Mr. J. R. Lobo for their humanitarian service to the community in Qatar.  Students who secured 90% and above and those who excelled in sports were recognized and felicitated during the celebrations. namely Vena; Rhea Castelino, Dylan Alaster D’Souza, Shawn D’Souza, Bresly Danthy, RiyaTellis, Nikitha Dsouza, Christopher Jude Pinto, Hazel Tellis, Rohit Dsouza,  and Dorina Esther Saldanha and sports field too were honoured by Stany Alvares, past President of Mandd Sobhann.  Prize distribution to the winners of the talent competition were given away by Jerry D’Mello, Founder member and Ronald Saldanha, Vice president.  The stage programme parts were conducted by Ryan Renjar -Jt Secretary, Riana Pinto- Cultural Secretary, PrabhaRegoJt Cultural Secretary.

 

MCC news letter ‘Sugandh’ andHarry Correa’s maiden CD as producer and Roshan Belman’s 5th vol. "Tunch Tum" was released by Fr. Anand.  Harry a semifinalist of Soad 3 International  later said that it was possible only because of the opportunities and encouragement from MCC.

 

Earlier in the day, more than 75 members of the club gathered to prepare the NovemJevaan, Roce, Vorn and the vegetables at Jerry & Leena D’Mello’s residence under the leadership of Vivian D’Souza, Jossy D’Souza and Ivy Rosario while some ladies prepared Sannas in their homes.

 

 

The program concluded with Laudate Dominum.  More than 600 who packed the Al Ghazal Club were treated to a sumptuous Novem Jevaan Dinner.  Roce, Sanna, Bendan, sango, gosalen, podvolen, karethen, koromb, chone, Moog and Kirl, lonchem, Shith and Saar, and Vorn.

 

The programme was compered  by Rony Rodrigues and Sony Rodrigues.  The evening ended with a Bingo game conducted by JossyRodrigues.

 

MCC Executive Committee thanks 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. May Mother Mary bless each and everyone.