Pics: Dilip Correa
News: Lin Pinto
Muscat, Feb 16: Members of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) Oman from all age groups were witnessed rushing into the main parish hall carrying their drawing kits, all ready to unleash the ‘Master Artist’ within themselves at Sts. Peter & Paul Church Ruwi, on Saturday, February, 14.
Enthusiasm was in the air as the young and old stood ready and excited to ignite the flames of innovation.
From the date of launching and announcing of annual drawing competition, children ran into shopping malls and stationery shops to buy their pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colour pencils, crayons, sketch pens, paint brushes, glitters and the like. The parents were not way behind as they too picked up a good amount of items to fill their drawing pouches.
At 8 am, the members of the Executive Committee walked into the cabins to ensure everything was ready and the floors for the artists-to-be were set. Yet another meticulously planned event was executed by the ‘Team 23’. It was well anchored and managed by the vice-president Mariete Fernandes in her unique style of Konglish flawlessly, crafted in a distinct manner, so that every person present at the venue would understand without a doubt.
The competition began at 10 am with invoking God’s blessing by Shyla Machado the general secretary on all the organizers and participants. The chief guest Jessy Pereira inaugurated the event and gave a signal of ‘Competition Open’.
The rules and regulations of the competition were presented by Neslin Moras the community services secretary that complimented suitably for a good presentation. Accordingly the participants prior divided into different age groups, with each group being assigned a theme, were lead for a photo session, well captured by Joachim D’Souza for mccpoman and Dilip Correa for daijiworld.com and subsequently were led by the assigned event support team members to their assigned area.
The competition kick started, as the tiny tots from Kindergarten 1 & 2, standard 1 and 2 were given a picture to colour. The kids looked all excited as they put out their pencils and crayons of different sizes, colours and shades.
Students of standards 3 and 4 were asked to draw and colour the 23rd Year logo of MCCP with fishes in the sea. It was quite evident that they were all set to put their memory to test and creativity on paper.
Standards 5 and 6 students were asked to draw and colour on the theme ‘Mangluri Ruchik Pakvaana’. These students would definitely stand a chance to feature their paintings in some of the great cook books.
Students from standards 7 & 8 were asked to sketch their thoughts and feelings on the theme ‘Konkan Muzho Gaavm’ a life, Mangaloreans live back home. The youth from standards 9 to 12 were asked to put on paper their imagination on ‘Kodialche Yuvajanaang’ an apt topic for this age group to paint themselves.
With the season of Christmas just over, the adults of the community were asked to draw their hearts out to the theme ‘Kutmanth Christmas’. There is no better way to express how Christmas is celebrated as a family than on paper, so that the memories linger on.
The event support team comprising of Anitha Danthi, Judy Lobo, Nancy Vaz, Dynet Fremcitha Fernandes, Agnes Picardo, Philomena Mendonca, Jassy Serrao, Shalet Sequeira coordinated and independently managed the task with approximately 80 participants reported against 98 registrations in different categories. Team-23 is thankful to these volunteers.
The celebration of colours would be incomplete without celebrating the vibrant colour of love that was in the air. Segment 2 of the day’s event was a surprise contest on expression of love to mark Valentine’s Day i.e. celebrated worldwide on February 14. The Executive Committee planned this surprise event in a unique manner, for all the couples who had to express their love for their beloved ones instantly. This contest saw a good number of Romeos and Juliets express the romantic side of them. The Majnoos and Lailas of MCCP Oman did not give this opportunity a miss.
One of the gestures is to be grateful, so is the vote of thanks that was proposed by Flavia Castelino. The event sponsors, well-wishers, organizers, participants and audience were thanked for their support and patronage to make the drawing competition another milestone in the journey of MCCP Oman who has strived to bring each and every Mangalorean to be a part of this big family and its celebration.
Tasty breakfast ‘Vada Paav’ with hot tea catered by Pinto, gave energy to mind and body of the participants and the enthusiastic members present to witness the event. Vice president Edward Mendonca took charge of overall event supervision so that the event was accomplished running against the time, being spiritual activities ahead on the same day. Sports secretary Lynel Lobo with ever-ready volunteer Sharon Alva, supported well to manage on this front. To prepare the event, active member Ivan D’souza along with Canute Machado and Wilfred Castelino toiled ensuring a perfect execution as planned. Team 23 also acknowledges the Church staff for being a great support.
Tasty Cheesy Pizzas arranged by Lancy Lobo of Pizza Hut with fruit juices arranged by Rudolph (Enhance) and goody gifts sponsored by Shahnagardas – a stationery outfit and travel point arranged by Astrin D’silva; bolstered smiles on the face of every participant as they walked out of the venue with a deep sense of satisfaction after painting their imagination on the canvas, and expressing their feelings on the day of Love celebrated worldwide.
The results will be announced on the community portals / notice boards shortly.
It was another feather added in the crown of accomplishment by Team 23.