Dubai: Nativity Feast celebrations by Emirates Pangalites

By Jovin DSouza
Pictures by Ignatius Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 19 September 2010: Emirates Pangalites, U.A.E, Celebrated the Feast of Nativity on Thursday, 16th September 2010 at Richmond Hotel Apartments, Bur Dubai under the guidance of newly formed working committee. The feast was celebrated traditionally under the slogan ""Sakkad sangatha melya".

 

Program started at 9 pm by Clevin D’Souza welcoming the gathering. Then he invited Ignatius Alva to conduct the prayer ceremony. The prayer was followed by singing traditional hymns "’Sakkad Sangatha Melyan and Moriyek Hogosieam"’, The tiny tots showered the flowers to infant Mary. The showers of flowers were followed by distribution of Novem to all gathering. As to follow the traditional ceremony of bringing blessed “Kanshy” by newly wedded couples, Ashwin and Vinitha took this honor to handover the Kanshi to Julias and Hilda Pinto, who were the elder family members of Emirates Pangalites.

 

The president of Emirates Pangalites Vinay Vaz welcomed the gathering. In his speech he stressed the need for unity as we celebrate this feast as a family feast. He said, today’s celebration would help everybody to rewind their memories of back home!" He wished everybody a happy fest and blessings of mother Mary and requested everybody to enjoy the feast.

 

 

The ex President Jovin D’souza, in his speech reminded the gathering about back home activities during the Monthi feast. He expressed his childhood memories of searching flowers in neighboring gardens, making bouquet full of flowers, showering these flowers to Mother Mary. He also reminded about the delicious “Kutma Jevan” along with all family members and non catholic neighborhood with lots of varieties of veggies.

 

Founder President Michael Castelino presented a felicitation program for the founder member Mr. Alban & Jacintha Castalino. Joseph Mathias honored Alban Castelino with shawl, Richard Castelino hand over the fruits and president Vinay Vaz presented the momento to him. Ex President Alphonse Mendonca hand over the flower bouquet to Jacintha Castelino for all her support.

 

The entertainment part was conducted by Joel Quadras who kept the audience on their feet by conducting various games. He formed four groups and named them in four colors as pink, green yellow and blue teams. They competed each other for supremacy in various competitive games. Finally, The green coloured group came out victorious. Whilst crowd enjoying the various games, small kids showed their talents by singing the songs in between the games and highly appreciated by crowds.

 

Jovin D’souza felicitated Deeksha D’mello daughter of Dolphy & Shaila D’mello for her outstanding academics in 10th standard and her outstanding talents in dance.

 

The dinner was served traditionally on banana leaves with lots of delicious and variety of vegetables and vorn. The entire crown enjoyed the delicious food, which is prepared by Al Shaya restaurant, Karama. The housie-housie game was conducted prior to closing ceremony and prizes were distributed to the winners of the games and housie-housie. A vote of thanks was rendered by Ashwin D’souza for all those who supported the celebration financially and by other means. Big thanks to all Pangalites for attending the celebration in large numbers and making it a grand success.