Jennifer Mascarenhas & Leela D'Souza
Dubai, Feb 2: Biting cold winds of winter in Dubai gave way to warm and pleasant weather on Friday January 30 as people gathered in large numbers at Zabeel Park to participate in the fun, dance and food hosted by SMKC Dubai.
All in all, a crowd of around 500 assembled at noon time to enjoy the fun-filled Family Day organized by St Mary’s Konkan Community (SMKC) Dubai.
SMKC Dubai members assembled at Gate No 1 of Dubai Zabeel Park at 8.30 am and soon the relishing breakfast of hot idli, vada and sambar and tea was served to the early birds.
The programme commenced at around 10.30 am with a prayer by Jennifer Mascarenhas, advisor, followed by a warm welcome by president, Veronica Rego. To get the crowd into action, warm-up games were conducted by Roshan D’Silva and Leela D’souza. Finding a parish partner was most welcoming as many people who participated in the game found a new friend.
The excited crowd was then grouped into four teams and ably led by their nominated captains - ‘Strikers’ by Edwin Lobo, ‘Mangalore Mirchi’ by Antonio, Kingdom of Shirva by Jerome, and City Champs. SMKC teams indeed exhibited incredible talents at the venue during every team game or performance too. A few even learnt and shared creativity and team spirit when playing 'banana surgery' or 'balloon choo choo' game.
Judges Lawrence Fernandes, Clarida James and Marie D'Souza were busy jotting down points for their performance, creativity and discipline from morning.
True to the name, the team 'City Champs' emerged as champions at the end of the day, followed by 'Strikers'.
Games for various age groups were also conducted. Picking up hidden candies from a box; 'future is bright' for older children; 'run rabbit run (stamping the tail) game for men and other games for senior citizens and ladies kept the enthusiastic picnickers running around the park.
One or two family groups was there with mats, stools and even cards enjoying their mini picnic in the mega one.
Melvin D'Silva, Air India’s regional manager for Gulf Middle East and Africa, Hazel Saldanha, Swiss International, Dayan D'Souza from Daijiworld, Veronica Alva from Winny’s along with other dignitaries graced the event during lunch time up to evening.
Popular Konkani song session along with Lancy and Shyna Noronha and Joseph Mathias at lunch time brought the crowd on to lush green dance floor. Piping hot sumptuous lunch prepared by Canara Restaurant was relished by all. The crowd grooved with the scintillating music played by the DJ throughout the day.
This event was conducted mainly for fun and frolic for the community without any sponsorship tariffs. There were loads of gifts and prizes for various draws - raffle, novelty hamper kit - dance to win, family data and entry coupons, bingo, spot and other games. Many business houses came forward with their products and giveaways. Spinneys’, Wonder Chain Trading Co., IFFCO, Beauty Contact, Basel Watches, Queen beauty Crown and Bint Al Mulooq Ladies Saloon, Mister Baker were the other gift or giveaway sponsors.
Joy and smiles were abundant on all faces when the little children aged two to twelve years adorned beautiful fancy costumes dressed as Punjabi to Mangalurean, from locals to Superman and Spiderman. Children giving messages like 'Don’t argue with wife' and to being pretty mermaid or gorgeous balloon sellers with array of colours, sounds and voices had the crowd amused. Every child stole the show, but a few had to be selected so the pretty Jordanian girl, Sham, “Don’t argue with wife” and Punjabi contestants bagged the top prizes.
All the participants were given a pack of chocolates and juices. Certificates of merit will be given to all too.
Before running into the grand finale of baila music, the popular and most awaited event by outsiders and beyond the community in the park - 'Exotica Carnival Parade' - was conducted around the park. With the SMKC banner flying high, SMKC and other family members marched and danced to the belting Konkani music.
Another highlight of the evening was the popular Bollywood song 'Tu mere agal bagal hai'performed by Ivor Gracias with the exhilarating crowd following his simple dance steps to rock the grass dance floor.
Wenster D'Souza was the highest bidder for two Air India return tickets to any destination and Charmaine Fernandes who bought all the remaining raffle and novelty tickets ideally won the Jet Airways return ticket to any Indian destination from Dubai and DXB MCT DXB ticket in a draw even as people were anxiously waiting to win electronic gifts, hampers and vouchers towards the evening.
This year too many institutions had approached the organization and the proceeds of the event will be distributed to two projects in the hands of SMKC Dubai: Snehalaya Project, Talapady post, Mangaluru and Paschim Centre, Ullal.
SMKC Dubai still operates the 'SMKC Education Trust' established in Mangaluru in year 2004 and Medical Funds in the year 2010.
The SMKC ccommittee along with a few nominated volunteers worked tirelessly to turn January 30 into a memorable day. Co-host and hostess, Roshan D’Silva and Leela D’Souza, ensured no dull moments from breakfast to dusk time at Zabeel Park. The dancing crowd dispersed at 6 pm when the rocking music was lowered. They were in full praise for the disciplined, well-organized Family Day by SMKC Dubai. As promised, this year too, the event turned out to be a special one for all, including bachelors / spinsters and children who together in a small way helped SMKC mission 'to wipe tears and bring more smiles' on the marginalized brethren of the community in India.