Report: Jovita Pereira D'Souza
Pics: Jerald D'Souza
Doha, May 16: Veena Rebimbus, renowned singer and daughter of the legendary Wilfy Rebimbus, has been elected president of Mangalore Cultural Association, Doha - Qatar for the term 2017-2019.
The election was held during the 9th annual general body meeting of Mangalore Cultural Association, Doha at Ashoka Hall, Indian Cultural Center, Doha on May 12.
Veena Rebimbus, Clement Saldanha
C G S Taccode
Clement Fernandes, emcee for the evening welcomed the gathering and invited the audience to sing the MCA song. He then gave a brief about the association and the numerous important activities that the club has displayed in the nine years of its existence and commended the support rendered by the advisory members and the executive committee. The advisory members in attendance were Felix Lobo and Wilfred Fernandes, who were invited to the dais along with president Arthur Pais, vice-president Aloysius D’Souza, general secretary Sandeep Noronha and treasurer Clement Saldanha.
Outgoing president Arthur Pais welcomed the gathered, greeted the advisory members with flowers and addressed the members with a heart full of gratitude towards the advisory and executive committee members for their continued support and dedicated efforts to take the Association to this great height in 9 years. He said that MCA is completing 9 years and stepping into the 10th year of its existence. MCA team is planning to bring out many programmes in the coming year as a part of the decennial celebrations and requested the support of all members. He gave an account of all that was done by MCA in the past 9 years to the information of all gathered members.
The president also announced the programme for this year as follows:
• Monti Fest Celebration on September 15, 2017 at ICCs Ashoka Hall.
• Annual programme on October 20, 2017 to be announced later.
• Sports day (which was postponed due to weather) in November this year.
Arthur announced that the MCA Kala Puruskar 2017 will be bestowed on Cyril G Sequeira, popularly known as CGS Taccode, for his tremendous work in the field of Konkani Literature. CGS is also the founder member of MCA. The award will be conferred on him during the annual event on October 20.
He then called all the executive members on stage and thanked them wholeheartedly. Later he dissolved the committee making way for a new committee for the coming 2 years 2017 -2019.
General secretary Sandeep Noronha presented the annual report for the year 2016 - 2017. This was duly accepted by the members and was approved by the president and advisories. Treasurer, Clement Saldanha presented the financial report for the year 2016 - 2017, which was accepted by the members and was approved by the president and advisories.
Advisory members, Felix Lobo and Wilfred Fernandes addressed the audience and their heartfelt words touched the audiences.
Sandeep Noronha, conducted the elections for president and vicepresident of the term 2017 – 2019. He read the criteria for selecting president and vice-president. Meanwhile Felix Lobo briefed all members to elect an able president who could carry forward the good work done by the current President. Every member was given the right to vote to elect the president of their choice. Veena Rebimbus-Pais and Aloysious D’Souza’s names were nominated by the audience to run for the president's post. However, Aloysious D’Souza politely declined the nomination due to his professional commitments. Veena Rebimbus-Pais was then unanimously elected as the president of the club for the term 2017-2019.
Nominations for the post of vice-president were put on the floor. Clement Saldanha, Sandeep Noronha and Jovita Pereira-D’Souza’s names were for the vice-president’s post. Through a ballot paper voting process Clement Saldanha was elected as the vice-president for the term 2017-2019. Both the newly-elected president and vice-president thanked everyone for electing them for the posts and requested the members' support.
Cultural programmes were put forward by the members of the club.
Clement Fernandes and George Menezes tickled the funny bones of the gathering with a short dialogue.
Tiny tots Dianne Lobo, Venessa Fernandes, Viola Monteiro, Waylon Mendonca, Reevan and Rishon Fernandes danced to the tunes of 'Kinkule' composed by Melvin Peris, Rupert Lobo and Carol D’Souza rendered a beautiful duet titled 'Ye go Baye Dance Maruya' composed by Patrao brothers Derebail, accompanied by Kirthan Rodrigues on the keyboard.
Upcoming young singer Christle Pinto sang a song 'Ulo' composed by Lancy Noronha. She was brilliant in her rendition.
Young singers Wilson Mendonca, Austin Mendonca, Praveen Lobo, Vincent Fernandes, Nina Fernandes, Shalini Mendonca, Jane Pinto, Christle Pinto sang 'Vadyanthle Kazar' by Wilfy Rebimbus. They entertained the audiences through their singing and dancing.
Sandeep Noronha proposed the vote of thanks. Clara D'Souza prayed the grace before meals. Carol D’Souza conducted fun-filled and exciting spot games where everyone participated with full zest.
The entire evening was brilliantly compered by Clement Fernandes in a unique style well appreciated by all.
Scrumptious dinner was enjoyed by all as one big family. The programme ended at 10 pm. Around 150 members were present.