By Clarence Pinto
Pics by Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network
Muscat, Apr 30: The Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi) celebrated their 20th year of commencement in Muscat with a honoring ceremony to international dignitaries, felicitation to the local achievers and a grand Musical Extravaganza by renowned singers, comedians and musicians from Mangalore on Friday April 27 from 4 pm at Le Grande Hall of Al Falaj Hotel. The celebration was aptly titled ‘MCCP’s Utsav – a mega cultural feast’.
Bishop Henry D Souza of Bellary Diocese, a strong supporter of Mangalorean Culture, Art and Music, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Successful NRI entrepreneur, eminent businessman and Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi based New Medical Centre Group of Companies was the Guest of Honor. Lancy Mascarenhas of Lancy Constructions - Mangalore, Walter Nandalike of daijiworld.com, James Mendonca – President of Mangalore Konkans – Dubai and Managing Director of Reliable Fabricators - UAE, Leo Rodrigues – Managing Director of Al Mazroui Clevy – Abu Dhabi, Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues Konkani Activist s from Kuwait were the international guests present during the function.
The special and exclusive benefactor of the MCCP Utsav program was Ronald Colaco, famous philanthropist, renowned NRI Businessman, ardent supporter of Konkani heritage and culture. Though Colaco was unable to attend the function, he conveyed his good wishes to the Mangalorean community in Oman and wished everything good in their endeavors.
The program started with a grand entry of all the distinguished dignitaries along with the MCCP Core Team Members. The distinguished dignitaries were traditionally welcomed and presented with the floral bouquets.
Parameshwara – a traditional anthem created many years ago by Oswald D Souza and Walter Monterio was presented by the Muscat’s Konkani singers – Apolinaris D Souza, Oswald D Souza, Ida Pinto, Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Ronald Lobo, Vivian Fernandes, Merwin, Anitha Lobo, Philomena Saldhana, Flavia Castelino, Flavia D Souza and Astrin . Keyboard was played by Larissa Rego This beautiful song was portrayed in a dance form by Shanon D'souza, Shaina D'souza, Priya Menezes, Adriana Noronha and Phiyola D'souza which was directed and choreographed Prescilla Menezes, a trained Bharat Natyam artiste and general secretary of MCCP.
Clarence Pinto was the anchor of the program and he invited Fr Albert D Silva – Spiritual Director of the Mangalorean Community, to lead with an opening prayer. Then Most Rev Bishop Henry D Souza, Dr. B. R. Shetty, Fr Albert D Silva were escorted to the stage by Stanley T H Fernandes, dynamic president of MCCP. The mega Utsav program was inaugurated by lighting traditional lamp by the dignitaries. Stanley Fernandes welcomed the distinguished guests and the audience.
The international dignitaries were honored by Bishop Henry D Souza and Dr. B. R. Shetty with shawls, mementos and baskets of dates for their immense contribution to the development of the Mangalorean community. The honored dignitaries were Lancy Mascarenhas, Walter Nandalike, James Mendonca, Leo Rodrigues, Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues from Kuwait. Roshan D Souza one of the invited dignitaries from USA who was unable to attend the function and on behalf of him, Melaine Tauro received the honor.
Walter Nanadalike, on behalf of all the honoured dignitaries, expressed joy in being the part of the wonderful function and appreciated the good work done by the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish for its members.
Fr. Albert D Silva was presented with a memento by Rt Rev Henry D Souza and he also thanked the community leaders for carrying out the great job for community
Dr B R Shetty was honored in a traditional manner with shawl, dates basket and memento. Dr B R Shetty in his speech lauded the community work done by the Mangaloreans in Oman and around the world. He requested all the Mangaloreans to offer their services to the community so that the community can grow unitedly.
Bishop Henry D Souza congratulated the Mangaloreans in Muscat on this great occasion and he was honored by the Core Team members – Henry Martis, Stanley Fernandes, Donald Pinto, Suraj Rebello and Clarence Pinto.
It was a great festival mood in and around well decorated Le Grande hall. To present a grand entertaining musical show to the audience on the great occasion of 20th year’s celebrations, famous Konkani singer, composer and actor Melwyn Peris was flown specially from Mangalore along with his team. Dream Boy of the Konkani Music Rony D Cunha, Multi-lingual Singer of Golden voice Anita were also with Melwyn. The musical show started with a beautiful Konkani number Dabazo and went on with a mixer of old classics and brand new songs. Melwyn’s ever bright charisma and power to capture the audience with beautiful songs was clearly exhibited and full audience enjoyed all his songs. Melwyn was supported in music by Joel Pereira on Keyboard, Roshan D Souza on Lead Guitar, Melwin Fernandes on Drums, Jerome Coello on Bass and Theo Alvares on Trumpet.
Jerry Rasquinha and Nellu Permannur – two star comedians Mangalore, were really superb in their presentation of rib-tickling comedy. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the witty conversation pleasantly wrapped with humor and fun. Jerry and Nellu were supported by talented and skillful local artistes Walter Mendonca, Walter Pinto, Lancy Lobo and Helen Sequiera.
Kevin Misquith, upcoming Konkani singer and composer from Mangalore entertained the young audience of the community with three beautiful songs. Kevin was able to win the hearts of many young members of the community.
Muscat Konkani Community’s celebrated choreographer Sonia D Souza had choreographed two beautiful dances with local talents. The dancers of the first performance were Reena Mathias, Melanie Crasta, Amanda Pinto, Bertyl Noronha, Marlon, Dean D Souza, Joel Lobo, Carol D Souza, Saurav Rebello and Astrin. The second dance was performed by Shawn D Silva, Shaina Rebello, Megan D Souza, Alston Moras, Dale Dantis, Lenita Lobo, Relitsa Correa and Vijeth. Upcoming choreographer Sachin Lobo – Bendur presented a beautiful Konkani Modern Medley titled – Nachovyam and the participants of this dance were Sachin Lobo, Priyanka Edward Mendonca, Zeena Lobo Pereira, Reizen Periera, Brian Monis, Jyotsna Tharakan, Hanson Hancy and Jyotsna Andrea D’souza
The eminent personalities of the community who had served the community in various fields in Oman were honored by HE Bishop Henry D Souza. The prominent members honored were Vincent Machado – Deputy Managing Director of Saud Bahwan Group, Raphael Quadros – Managing Director of Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading, Frank Lobo – Philanthropist and Businessman of Liwa, Richard D Souza – President of Mangalore Balaga in Sohar, Robert Rego – patron of Salalah Mangaloreans, Oswald Soares – one of the powerful past presidents of MCCP, Monica Dantis – the first and only lady president of MCCP, Leo Quadros – Managing Director of Addhia Trading & Contracting, Bangalore Regency Developers and Past President of MCCP, Apolinaris D Souza – eminent Konkani composer and singer, Oswald D Souza – Konkani music world’s prince, Sonia D Souza – Choreographer par excellence, Walter Mendonca – eminent actor, director and anchor, Walter Pinto – Comedy King of Muscat’s Konkani theatre, Helen Sequeira – well known actress, Eula Pinto – current Vice President of MCCP, Dolly Gomes - multitalented sports personality, Clita Crasta – first ever Lady Area Governor of Toast Masters International.
Dirvem – MCCP’s souvenir of the 20th year was inaugurated by Most Rev Bishop Henry D Souza. The core team members who were instrumental to organize Utsav were also felicitated by Bishop Henry D Souza. The Core Team members ever supporters MCCP are Henry Martis, Stanley Fernandes, Donald Pinto, Suraj Rebello and Clarence Pinto. All the visiting artistes were presented with mementos.
Sumptuous dinner was served at the end of the program.
The Benefactor of the event was Ronald Colaco and Family. Oman’s premier Remittance Expert with excellent service provider for NRI’s – Oman & UAE Exchange Centre & Co. LLC was the Mega Sponsor. Technofit Trading LLC – one of the top Oil and Gas Service provider with Head office in Oman and branches in UAE and Qatar was the Main sponsor.
The co-sponsors of the event were Bank Muscat SAOG, Galfar Engg. & Contracting SAOG, Gulf Services & Industrial Supplies Co. LLC, Assarain Food Products LLC, Multitech Cont. LLC, Golden Global Logistics LLC, Ideal Tailors LLC and Silver Ring Int’l LLC.
The supporting sponsors were Vincent Machado & Fly, Jenny Joseph – Al Sharaqi Trading, Dafnia Group, Labib Trading & Contracting LLC, Abdul Fateh Mohd Noor Trading, Claud Frank and fly, Khimji Ramdas – Furniture Division, Omeir Nasser Al Falahy & Partners Trading LLC, Al Ansari Group of Companies, Rohit Lakwara MBM, Modern Exchange, Bank Sohar SAOG, Sea Pearls LLC, W.J. Towell & Co. LLC, Marmul Travels LLC, Air India & Air India Express and Enhance
The other supporting sponsors of the program were Al Jazeera Steel, Gulf Meat Trading Co., Musandam Exchange, Arabian Technical Supplies, Risk Management Services, Khimji Ramdas – Bldg Materials, Al Rawabi Dairy Co. and Oman Refreshments Co