Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi
Udupi, Feb 10: The 40th jubilee year of ICYM ‘Yuva Konkani Festh- 2015’ was celebrated by the Udupi diocese on Sunday, February 8 at Moodubelle church hall under the leadership of central council ICYM Udupi diocese and Moodubelle unit.
The programme began from 9 am with the holy mass followed by a grand procession, innovative inauguration, varieties of competition, valedictory function and declaration of winners.
Around 700 ICYM members representing different parishes of five deaneries participated in the ‘Yuva Konkani Festh’.
The ‘Yuva Konkani Festh’ began with the holy mass concelebrated by Fr Reginald Pinto, director of ‘Sampada’, Udupi diocese and assistant spiritual director of Moodubelle unit of ICYM as the chief celebrant along with Fr Joswey Fernandes, parish priest and spiritual director of ICYM, Moodubelle unit, Fr Edwin D’Souza, director of Yuva Ayog-diocese of Udupi and Fr P Raj, principal of St Lawrence English Medium High School, Moodubelle. The vibrant choir and animated members of the ICYM added devotional fervour in the mass.
At the end of the mass, ICYM members from five deaneries;Udupi, Kallianpur, Shirva, Kundapur and Karkala stood in formation for the grand procession. The procession was flagged off by Fr P Raj by beating the 'Chende'. The Shri Durga Paramaeshwari chende group of Bantakal was followed by the hosts, ICYM Moodubelle Unit and other deaneries following them in the grand procession that passed through the road leading to St Lawrence PU College and taking the right turn to proceed to the main road and passing through it and entered the main gate of the church and thereafter the members assembled in the parish hall for the inauguration.
The inauguration of the ‘Yuva Konkani Festh’ was held in a unique way by the dignitaries on the dais starting with Fr Joswey Fernandes pouring a measure of rice into the ‘Kalshi’ kept on the ‘Muda’ on the stage. William Pinto Shirthady, an eminent lawyer, who was the chief guest of the inaugural function, in his speech made an appeal to the youth to take interest and participate in elections, especially the forthcoming panchayat elections.
After taking the lots for the various competitions, the participants in the competition of fancy dress, poetry and story writing moved to St Lawrence English Medium High School where as the competitors for 'vovyo', 'Vers' and 'Gumta' remained in the parish hall. The judges for these competitions were: Anil Rebello, Irene Rebello, Dolla, Mangalore, Prem Kumar, Stany Fernandes and Norbert Misquith.
After the lunch, skit (fokanna) competition was conducted in the parish hall. Just before the valedictory function Dolla Mangalore regaled the audience through his stand-up comedy citing funny sign boards.
The valedictory function was held at 4 pm. Msgr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi diocese presided over the function. Fr Charles Menezes, national director of YCS/YSM was the chief guest. Other dignitaries on the dais included Fr Joswey Fernandes, Fr Alban D’Souza-director of ICYM Udupi deanery, Fr Fredrick D’Souza-director of Kallianpur deanery, Leslie Aroza-animator of Udupi diocese, Rajendra Shetty-president of Belle Gram panchayat, Waylon Machado-president of ICYM Udupi diocese, Vincent Fernandes-animator of ICYM unit, Moodubelle, Sr Irene Viegas-superior of Loreto Convent, Emilia Noronha-secretary of parish Pastoral Council, Glen Joy Alva-president of ICYM unit Moodubelle and others were on the dais.
Fr Joswey Fernandes welcomed the guests on the dais and honoured them with shawl. Glen Joy Alva read out the names of former presidents of ICYM Unit of Moodubelle during the last 40 years and those who were present were honoured by Msgr Baptist Menezes. Glen Joy Alva and Alwyn Lobo on behalf of the hosts received the honour from Fr Charles Menezes.
The Music CD by the youth and for the youth titled ‘Bindas’ was released on the occasion by the vicar general Msgr Baptist Menezes. The CD was produced by Nitin Castelino of Shirva. Konkani musician, Patrick Perera, lyrist Santosh D’Souza, Niramarga, musician Loy Valentine Saldanha and lead singer Prajot D’Sa, Kallianpur were present on the stage for the release of the CD.
In his message to the youth, Msgr Baptist Menezes said that the youths have a lot of talent and they should develop these talents through programmes such as the one organized on the day.
Fr Joswey Fernandes honoured the judges of the various competitions. In her observation, Irene Rebello, one of the judges said that the youth should get themselves trained prior to participating in any competition. “Training and availing the opportunities to manifest their talents are the important factors in the success of anyone who would like to make a mark in the field of his or her interest”, she added.
Fr Charles Menezes in his message to the youth pointed out their role in preserving and promoting the Konkani language. Alwyn Lobo proposed the vote of thanks and Lloyd Rebello compered the valedictory function.
The penultimate part of the ‘Yuva Konkani Festh’ was the declaration of the most awaited results of the competitions. The list of the winners was read by Fr Reginald Pinto.
In the category of the exhibition of traditional artefacts used by the Konkani people in their daily lives at home and in their outdoor activities under the theme ‘Know Your Konkani Daiz’ all the five deaneries were given consolation prizes.
In report writing Pramitha of Shankarpura, Helen of Hirgan and Linet of Pamboor secured the prizes.
Poetry writing honours were cornered by Helen of Hirgan, Antony Prajwal of Kuntalnagar and Dreema of Piusnagar. In story writing Ancita of Perampalli, Rikitha of Thottam and Juston of Milagres, Kallianpur secured the prizes.
In skit competition the consolation prizes were awarded to Pamboor and Milagres, Kallianpur ICYM Units. The top three positions were claimed by Kolalgiri, Thottam and Mundkoor.
Piusnagar and Mundkoor were awarded consolation prizes in fancy dress competition and Pamboor, Moodubelle and Mount Rosary, Kallinapur were declared winners in fancy dress competition.
In vovyo and vers competition, out of 13 teams, the top five positions were cornered by Kuntalnagar, Pamboor, Shankarpura, Moodubelle and Sasthan ICYM units.
The entire ‘Yuva Konkani Festh’ was a grand success due to the patronage of Fr Joswey Fernandes spiritual director of the ICYM unit, Moodubelle. The direction given by Fr Reginald Pinto, the meticulous planning and execution by Glen Joy Alva president of ICYM unit Moodubelle, Alwyn Lobo and support given by animators Vincent Fernandes, Rovita Fernandes and Yuva Samiti president Joseph Martis and the work of the entire ICYM unit Moodubelle.
The street Sanghattan members had rendered their help in arranging the parish hall, decorating the stage with traditional vintage articles and helped in serving breakfast and lunch.