Emirates Pangalites 7th
Anniversary
By: Wilson D’Souza
Dubai, Jan 22: The welcome song of Pangla ‘thoss amcho Pangla, sagllyan
navn ghazlla, prakyat zalla, sogllya konshanth, voi sonthos zatha, voi garv
bhogta, zalmalyavn monn ami hya gavanth’’ made Pangalites to be proud of their
native place Pangala and it was a day happiness, for family get-together, a
memorable day for all Pangalites residing in.U.A.E. to have the feel of their
native place and fest. The Title: FESTA SANTH was perfect as there was display
of Santhmari and various stalls with a lot of Festa Saanth items displayed and
sold namely religions items, channa-kadlle, metai and above all the most
favourite item was a fine display of water melons.
It was the grand 7th Anniversary
held at Pool Side, International Seafarers Center, (Seamen’s Club, Bur Dubai)
where aprox. 500 Pangalites along with their friends and well-wishers gathered
to share each others happiness and good old memories of back home Pangla.
The event started with live music from Pearls of Mangalore Abu Dhabi one of the
most prominent musical troupes in UAE founded and lead by Ex President Alphonse
Mendonsa. The music was provided by Arun Carlo also a well-known musician in
U.A.E. The first melodious song of the day “Havn Ek Sopneli- by Ronald D’souza
gave a tonic to the eagerly waiting music lover/audience since morning.
MC of the day Agnel D’Souza along with co-compare Joel Quadras took to the
podium and introduced Pearls of Mangalore troupe and gave a brief intro of days
program. The program began with Welcome Song, lead by Marlene Castelino. The 7th
anniversary cake was cut by all Pangalites committee members thereafter.
The star singer of Emirates Pangalite (& Pearls of Mangalore) rendered her sweet
voice to a song: Dees - "Raat Moga ugdas thuzo dosta"’ prior to welcoming
ceremony and felicitation of guests. The president of Emirates Pangalites beamed
with happiness and expressed his gratitude to all sponsors and guests and
welcomed them to the program. He welcomed the guest of honour Rev. Fr. Fredie
D’Souza, spiritual director of Konkani community & Asst. Parish Priest - St.
Mary’s Church - Dubai, Main Sponsor of the day Mr. Joseph Mathias - Managing
Director, Merit Freight Systems LLC - Dubai and Mr. Francis Fernandes Cassia,
writer & dramatist and thanked them for their continuous support to Emirates
Pangalites for the last seven years. All the guests and main sponsors were
felicitated with floral bouquets. Mr. Joseph Mathias, Fr. Freddy and Mr. Francis
Fernandes spoke highly of Emirates Pangalites, especially on various charity
deeds organized by Pangalites and wished them all the best for the future and
Congratulated on the occasion.
Marlene Castelino, General
Secretary read the annual report and highlighted the various achievements of
Emirates Pangalites for the last seven years. Some of the charity and social
needs of Pangalites fulfilled were: Over all approx. Rs. 10 Lakhs have been
utilized for various charity causes that included donation to cancer patients,
conducting medical psychiatric camps in association with Rotary Club of Pangla/Shankerpura.
It also donated 3 lakhs separately for Junior College to set up laboratory and
it has been named as 'Emirates Pangalities Laboratory UAE'. Another achievement
was under the initiative of committee member, Mr. Ignatius Alva, about 90 poor
children of various Ashrams in Mangalore (Kolalgire, Udyawar, Allanghar) have
been provided with education and boarding fees through the help of many donors
from UAE.
During the felicitation ceremony, one of the renowned and successful Pangalite
in UAE Mr. Richard Castelino from Abu Dhabi was honoured. Alphonse Mendonsa, ex
President introduced and highlighted his various achievements and especially for
his continuous and whole hearted support towards Emirates Pangalites and various
organizations in Abu Dhabi. He was honoured with floral bouquettes, basket of
fruits, and a memento respectively by Fr. Friedie, Joseph Mathias and Francis
Fernandes Cassia.
The high light of the day was Launching of the Emirates Pangalites Social
Welfare Fund. Michael Castelino founder President Spoke on the occasion and
launched the EP Social Welfare Fund presence of Chief Guests and main sponsors.
He said it was time that we contribute our brethren back in Pangla in a much
bigger way and that is, raising fund of Rs. 10 Lakhs and the interest earned
from this fund will be utilized for various charity needs. This is the first
association in U.A.E to launch this type of fund keeping in mind various needs
of our people in need back in Pangla.
A dance by Dekni Group (Ashwin, Demitra, Vanessa and Sweeny) presented a
beautiful dance for the well known Goan number ‘Havn Saiba Polthodi Vethan’’
received a huge appreciation and applause from the audience.
Pearls of Mangalore (Manglurchim Mothiam) presented various melodious songs such
as, Mog zallo, Mog kone dekhla, Ye chedwa, Pois Pois Manglura and the old hits
such as Philomena and Mokeda Singhari by all singers namely Loreen Machado,
Ronald Lobo, Donald Pinto, Paul Pereira, Lolita Pinto, Wilfred Fernandes, Sandra
Fernandes, Sharon Rego and Ronald D’Souza. A few songs were sung by sponsors
namely Mr. Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems LLC (Sophia), Mr. Lancy
Madtha of Integrated Freight & Logistics Co. LLC along with Sharon Rego (Bangar
tu mujen and Suryachi kirna)
The specially invited well known Goan singer Maria Fernandes enthralled the
crowd by singing all time Goan hits Piso, Mogan Asso Borem, Kalizanthaun mog
kelo and Yo Baile Yo pulled crowd to the dance floor.
Various other dance groups also performed like Harmony and Dallan & Group (Dallan,
, Sweeny). Also, there were a few humorous Skits by Emirates Pangalites (Dean,
Dallan, Dolphie D’Mello, Clevin D’Souza, Santhosh and Lavina Fernandes) were
performed. Also there was a Clown to entertain the children.
Agnel D’Souza and Joel Quadras did a wonderful job compeering the event all day
and conducted a few interesting spot games such as pullan Banchin, hooking the
Beer bottles and kept the crowd busy all the times and happy thru their humours
jokes. They also arranged felicitation of all sponsors and presentation of
memento assisted by Shaila D’Mello, Ashwin D’Souza, Vinitha D’Souza, and Roshini
Quadras. Joel Quadras also sang a Kannada song Noorondu Nenapu: in memory of
famous Kannada actor who passed away recently. They also conducted Auction of
entry tickets, raffle draw and housie- housie and made the day a wonderful
memorable day to be remembered. The prizes were given away for all winners of
Raffle Draw, Housie-Housie etc.
A delicious lunch was served for all those present. Finally, the famous Baila
called 'Mothiam Baila' was presented by Pearls of Mangalore and young and old
danced to the various tunes of Hindi, Konkani, Tulu and Kannada songs until the
end.
