Doha: The Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), for its 28th year, celebrated the annual traditional Monthi Fest on September 13 with grandeur at the Ashoka Hall.
Tina Fernandes, Advisory council member of Indian Community Benevolent Forum was the guest of honour.
Tina Fernandes, a resident of Goa, was recently appointed by the Indian Ambassador to Qatar P Kumaran as the Advisory Council member of Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF). The ICBF is an organisation that does charitable and welfare work particularly for Indians in Qatar. She is the only female member in the Advisory Council and heads the prison team under the ICBF’s umbrella.
The MCC recognised Tina for her contribution to society through her social work and for being appointed as an Advisory Council member. She was honoured by the MCC’s Advisory Council members with the traditional shawl and a memento.
Addressing the gathering, Tina thanked the MCC for the honour. She gave a brief glimpse into how she started her social work by visiting prisons through the Church and how it led her to understand why people are getting imprisoned. She began her work by raising funds from her friends and well-wishers to help the prisoners fulfil their needs and arrange air tickets for them to go back to their home countries. She explained the mission of her work and urged those interested to join her in helping the prisoners.
Earlier, the evening began with a meaningful prayer song “‘Namo Namo Moriye” by little children in honour of Mother Mary. The song was accompanied by music played by Jade Mascarenhas on the keyboard and Joshua Mascarenhas on the guitar. They were trained by Preema Pinto.
Following this, a formal programme was conducted, which included a classical welcome dance performed by Della Rego and Alyssa Rego along with Angel Pinto.
The audience was then entertained by the singing couple, Naveen and Preema Pinto, who sang ‘Chadnacha Raatin’.
Children danced to the disco number, ‘Rani Mujhi Go Tu’, which was choreographed by Derick Crasta. The other participants were Aaliya Almeida, Nicole Crasta, Michelle Louis, Verina Mascarenhas, Cleona Fernandes, Ashton D’Souza, Gladwin Furtado, Melrick D’Souza, Kaeton Lewis and Leron D’Souza.
This was followed by a stage programme.
President Sunil D’Silva welcomed the gathering and the guest of honour. He also detailed the activities report since he took over as president and announced the future programmes. He requested the members to participate in and support the club activities actively and build the member strength.
An award ceremony for all the academic achievers in the 10th and 12th board exams, sports and other fields, was held on the occasion. It was conducted by joint secretary Sonia D’Souza. The students who represented their schools in International events in sports and other co-curricular activities and achieved success were also honoured with a memento and certificate of appreciation.
The 12th Std achievers of the academic year 2018-19 are- Astra Julia Pinto, Royston Calder D’Souza, Clarissa Neolla Pinto, Ceanna Agnes Aranha, Reon Saldanha and Simone Amber Monteiro. The 10th Std achievers are Marilyn Judith Rego, Ethan Ignatius D’Sa, Derik Saldanha, Darryl Menezes, Austyn Jude Lobo, Rahul Alan Anthony Castelino, Siyana Maria Concessao and Aaron Emanuel Xavier Sequeira.
Achievers in co-curricular activities and sports are Delwin Alben Fernandes – Karate, Nigel Joseph Lobo – Table Tennis, Reegan D’sSouza – Football and Raynel D’sSouza – Football.
Speaking on the occasion general secretary, Naveen D’Souza took the opportunity to inform the members about the WhatsApp group created for the MCC members, so that they are kept abreast of all the organisation’s programmes as well as other communications from the Indian Cultural Centre or Indian Embassy.
On the occasion, the MCC’s newsletter ‘Sugandh’- Issue 22 was released by the club’s founder member, Jerry D’Mello along with the Editorial Committee and the ex-com members. Former president and advisor, Vivian D’Souza recited a prayer and invoked God’s blessings on the Roce and Noven Jevan. The roce was then distributed to the audience by the volunteers.
The cultural programme was followed by Sean Fernandes and Carol D’Cunha swaying to the rhythm in a beautiful contemporary couple dance. Following this, the song ‘Anja Sarke Chedu’ was performed by Clement Fernandes, George Menezes, Dennis D’Souza, Naveen D’Souza and Praveen Lobo. A fusion group dance was performed by Anna Pinto, Alyssa Rego Crizelle Pinto and Larissa Tauro, which was choreographed by Anna, Alyssa and Deleesha. Jeevan Ferrao and Pramila Monteiro performed a duet for ‘Doryacha Thodir’.
The much-awaited ‘Gulfacho Novro’ comedy drama, written by Jason Menezes from Hospet and directed by Amith Mathais from Moodubelle, was staged for the gathering. The drama was enacted by MCC members Amith Mathais, George Menezes, Aloysious D’Souza, Anil Fernandes, Arthur Serrao, Preema Pinto and Variston Crasta.
The music was arranged by Renzil D’Souza and the sound and lighting was by Naveen D’Souza. The group delivered some hilarious dialogues which left the audience in splits. Young dancers Sean Fernandes, Carol D’Cunha, Derick Crasta, Clarina Pinto, Andrea D’Souza and Derrick Saldanha rocked the stage with some lively Konkani folk songs mashup, choreographed by Sean Fernandes.
Earlier in the day, MCC volunteers gathered at Jerry D’Mello’s house to cook delicious Nove Jevaan under the guidance of head cook Mark Pinto, roce by Vivian D’Souza and ‘vorn’ by Jossy D’Souza. All cooking arrangements were handled by David D’Souza, Christy Lobo and team. Sannas were prepared by the women volunteers at their respective homes.
The programme was concluded with the “Laudate” before dinner. Avinash D’Souza, joint sports secretary proposed a vote of thanks. Kavita Tauro, cultural secretary, introduced the guest of honour.
