Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Pics: Nikhil Studio
Mangalore, Aug 17: Under the leadership of its cultural committee, St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, celebrated 'Konkani Day' with great jubilation for the third consecutive year on Friday, August 15.
The highlight of this year’s celebration was the grand musical evening staged by established and promising singers from Valencia parish including 'Vishwa Konkani Kalaratn' Eric Ozario and Joyce Ozario. The programme started with a silent prayer for the victims of Ulaibettu school bus tragedy, followed by a prayer hymn from the parish choir.
Ivan D’Souza, vice-president, district Congress committee (DCC),also a parishioner, was the chief guest. Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, welcomed the gathering. Arun Raj Rodrigues, vice-president, parish council, presented a bouquet to the chief guest.
Ivan D’Souza felicitated students who scored distinctions in Class VII, and Class X catechism, Class X, and PUC public examinations. This felicitation is an annual feature of the Catholic Sabha.
Ivan D’Souza honoured Gerald Lancy Pinto who has served in the Indian army for 28 years including Operation Blue Star and Operation Kargil, He also honoured Joachim Fernandes, a 69-year-old athlete, who secured the silver medal in Malaysian open masters’ athletic meet held at Kuala Lumpur, in June 2008. Fr Maxim Rosario conducted the honouring ceremony in a unique way by interviewing the achievers.
Flavia Sequeira, secretary of parish council, was also present on the dais. Traditional 'patholyos', a delicacy prepared out of jackfruit and rice, was served to all. Roshan D’Souza, Angelore, directed the musical evening, along with Ashith Pinto, Sachin Sequeira, and Richard Monteiro.
Well-known comedians Mellu, Moras, and Richa, ('Me-Mo-Ri') presented rib-tickling jokes. The budding dancers of Valencia also performed. Diona Ashma, Ryner Menezes, Nelson Pais, Jean Dias, Vinola Sequeira, Vishalin Sequeira, Alrin Lobo, Flavia Sequeira, Dylan Caldera, Lean Caldera, Greogory Menezes, Jacintha Merly, Swathi, and Sweeny, enthralled the audience with their melodious singing.
Earlier, in the morning Yogish Bhat, MLA, Mangalore South, hoisted the national flag on the church grounds to celebrate the 61st Independence Day of our great nation. Dolphy Saldanha compered the programme. Molly Pinto, convener, cultural committee, proposed the vote of thanks.