Kuwait: Shirva Welfare Association Kuwait (SWAK) under the presidentship of Alban D’Souza celebrated its Patron Feast (Vodlen Phest) on February 3 at the Indian Community School Auditorium, Khaitan, Kuwait.
The evening programme commenced with the Introduction and welcoming of Melvin Rodrigues, master of the ceremony for the day, by committee member Robert Mathias. Another member Urban D’Souza led the prayer followed by a melodious welcome song “Swagat Swagat”, sung by committee members for which lyrics were written by Lancy Rodrigues and music was composed by maestro Adrian Gomes.
SWAK President Alban D’Souza officially welcomed the chief guests Rev. Fr. Noel D’Almeida, Assistant Parish Priest of Abbasiya Parish, Vallie M D’Sa (Managing Partner of Khalil Bahman & Partners Gen. Trading & Cont. Co), Stany Pinto (SAMI EXB.), sponsors, well-wishers, Shirva parishioners, committee members and their relatives to the celebration.
SWAK honorary member and main sponsor of the event, Lawrence D’Souza of Caesars Group of Restaurants & Confectionaries was also remembered on the occasion. Alban called on the attendees to actively participate and enjoy the events of the day. General Secretary Regina Serrao read out the annual report highlighting the services rendered by SWAK for the poor and the needy.
All the office-bearers and committee members of SWAK, together with the Chief Guest Fr. Noel D’Almeida, Vallie M D’Sa and Stany Pinto cut the festive cake, as a token of sharing the joy and happiness with one and all.
In his festive message, Fr. Vinay D’Almeida appreciated the good works of SWAK and said that despite busy schedules these noble works were performed to help needy people. He highlighted the works of previous committee under past president Alwyn for the remarkable job in the previous years. He said SWAK was doing a good job from decades. “Our Lady of Health is protecting this association to do good deeds”, he expressed. He appealed to the committee to continue with the spirit of “people caring for people” by supporting the needy brethren in Kuwait and back home.
As a token of gratitude, chief Guests and sponsors were felicitated by SWAK President Alban D’Souza with floral bouquets. Alwyn D’souza read out the list of sponsors. The main sponsor of the event, Lawrence D’Souza was remembered for his seamless support for various activities and sponsoring the feast programme ever since its inception. Co-sponsor Vallie M D’Sa , Managing Partner of Khalil Bahman & Partners Gen. Trading & Cont. Co., was also honoured by the president.
After a brief introduction by committee member Joyce D’Souza, Senior SWAK member Stany Pinto was honoured with a shawl, memento and fruit baskets by Fr. Noel, Vallie M D’Sa and Alban D’Souza for his support to SWAK during the past years. Since its inception, every year during the feast, SWAK has been bringing to the limelight, the excellent achievements of committee members’ children by felicitating them with their parents with a token of appreciation. The education felicitation of the top outstanding student of 10th standard was sponsored by Urban and Janet D’Souza in remembrance of their daughter Princel Deona D’Souza. Alwyn D’souza and Doris lobo lead the award ceremony. The award was jointly won by three students Disha Mathias, Elton Pinto and Astrel Menezes for their outstanding performance in 10th standard.
Students Maclean Menezes, Alvina Carlita D’Souza and Sheldon D’Souza were also honoured for their academic excellence. All the winners were felicitated with mementos and certificates by Chief Guest Joylene Gonsalves. She in turn, was honoured with a bouquet and memento by President Alban D’Souza for her victory in the Gulf Voice of Mangalore season 5 in female category. Audience was enthralled by the rib tickling jokes of committee members Urban D’Souza, Herold D’souza, Felix Serrao, Janet D’Souza and Walter Santhmayor. In the midst of the celebration, MCs Melvin Rodrigues and Dr. Manohar Prabhu along with Clifford D’Souza entertained the audience with various spot prize games.
A series of entertainment programmes followed and the audience thoroughly enjoyed each of them. Solo, dances were presented by artistes Danica Monteiro (Ek Taara – Classical), Melrick D’Souza (Baby ko Bass Pasand Hai- Sultan), Reeshel Fernandes (Pingara Pori – Bajirao Mastani ), Nathan Monteiro (lungi dance), Alrick Barboza (I look better when I am dancing) and Daniella (Nachde nee Saare). Melodious songs were rendered by Alisha Gomes (Molba Voilo Chandamama), Joylin Gonsalves (winner GVOM-5), Morvin Quadros (winner GVOM-4) including a Konkani duet “Hathanth Gevun Moga Hath Ditalon tuka haav Bhaas” by Ashok Barboza and Jyothi Vaz. Deon Prince D’Souza mesmerised the audience with his unique talent exhibition “beat boxing” vocal performance.
Towards the end, lucky dip draw and housie housie were conducted to keep the excitement alive. Lucky member and highest lucky dip seller were bestowed with prizes. Vice-President Clifford D’Souza proposed a vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to the committee members, owner, chef and staff members of Caesars Restaurant and all those who contributed towards the staging of this celebration in various forms.
Vice-President made a special note of thanks to President Alban D’Souza and Urban D’Souza for their notable contribution towards SWAK, Urban D’Souza for being the highest lucky dip seller and Alban D’Souza for his commendable work of collecting the highest sponsorships for the consecutive year.
Fr. Noel D’Almeida invoked the blessings on the meal and the Grace prior to that was recited by kids followed by symptoms buffet dinner prepared by Caesars Restaurant. The whole event was captured by media team from S B Media including Irshad and photographer Prem Crasto of Blue Ray Digital Co. The lights and sounds were provided by Anand D’Souza from Waves Rental. The entire proceedings of the feast were compered impressively by MCs Melvin Rodrigues and Manohar Prabhu.
