Associations' / Institutions' News

News by John D'Lima
Images by : Sunil Pinto

Abu Dhabi, May 28 : The Konkan community of St. Paul’s Catholic Church Mussafah, Abu Dhabi celebrated Konkan Day on 26th of May 2017. It’s a unique days’ gathering for all Konkani loving people for the first time in UAE where all Catholic Churches of UAE which includes, Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Jebel Ali, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah came together and took part in this mega event under the spiritual guidance of Rev. Fr. Ashok Gonsalves, Spiritual Director of Konkani community of Mussafah. The main purpose of this mega event was to bring all Konkani speaking community of UAE under one umbrella and show their unity and oneness among the all section of the people and also to show the rich Konkani Culture and heritage to our children and the future generation to continue with the same spirit.

The celebration started at 9 a.m. first by serving breakfast to all attendees who have come from different parishes as well as for Mussafah parishioners. Once the guests were served with the breakfast, they were requested to go the main St. Francis of Assisi Hall where all attendees were given a warm traditional welcome by Apex team Secretary Mrs. Veeda D’Lima and Treasurer Mr. John D’Lima with their traditional costume by offering them paan pod udak and goud ani udak ( traditional beetle leaves with arrack nut and jaggrey with water to drink). All people were thrilled and appreciated the welcome they have extended and the guests were escorted by volunteers to their seats.

Once all people seated, programme started as per schedule around 10 a.m. first by carrying vojen (a traditional culture helping the family by providing them help in kind). Vojen was led by Apex Committee Main Coordinator Mr. Robert Pinto and it was remarkable scene to watch as different kind of vojen like rice mudo, tender coconut, banana leaves, and different kinds of vegetables along with Kelyacho godai. It was an eye catching scene for all people gathered –especially for adults, it was refreshing their memory and for children it was totally a novel thing to witness , remember and to cherish which they enjoyed. Vojen was followed by flag procession ceremony where UAE flag was carried first followed by Indian flag and then the flags of all other churches of UAE.

Once the procession of flag ceremony completed, prayer dance was done by the kids of St. Paul’s Church Mussafah. Robert Pinto welcomed all priests and dignitaries on to the dais for the formal inauguration of the function. Rev. Fr. Paul Koenig OFM Cap, Custos of Southern Arabia started the prayer and wished the function all the best. M.C. announced the lighting of lamps by all priests and guests and members of the Apex Team along with other members. A huge cake was cut in commemoration of the event. Rev. Fr. Ani Xavier OFM Cap, Parish Priest of St. Paul’s church Mussafah apprised the Konkani community of Mussafah for their contribution not only to the church but also to the community and their active participation in all other church events and wished the function every success. M.C. requested all the priests and dignitaries to take their seats to start the cultural programme.

The cultural programme started by an introductory song by M. Ashwin and his team. St. Mary’s Church Al Ain was the first one to perform their programme with their Konkani comedy skit which was followed by a group dance and ending with Baila dance. Lots of effort was put by this community to prepare for their dance and the crowd gave them a standing ovation for their performance.

The Community of St. Francis of Assisi Church Jebel Ali is the second one to perform as they started with Konkani medley followed by a skit and a thrilling dance performance. People gave a rousing ovation from the final dance which was appreciated by the audience.

The community members of the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Health presented a Gumta song which was melodious and their group singing was appreciated by the crowd. It is a well-coordinated effort by the team which was also appreciated by the spectators.

Then came the long awaited team of St. Michaels church Sharjah with their Konkani medley by kids. The enchanting dance of the team will be remembered for a long time. The spectators gave them a standing ovation for their performance.

The parishioners of Abu Dhabi Konkans (Konkani motea) expressed their artistic performance initially with a traditional Mando followed by a witty group dance. Their group dance kept the audience on their toes and it was quite an enchanting performance by Abu Dhabi Konkans.

The participants of St. Mary’s Church Dubai really made an effort to entertain the audience. The song of “ ami doga sezara vethav kazarak” could not stop the audience come on to the floor and dance! What a tantalizing performance! Their comedy skit of ” Kanndgi” (sweet Potato) and the performance of the artists were commendable. Their Baila dance was appreciated by all. In short they brought people on their toes.

Finally, the performance of host church, St. Paul’s church, Mussafah. The initial skit conveyed the message of love for Konkani language and encouraging all Konkani loving people to be proud with their old Konkani language and its rich heritage and not to be ashamed of speaking Konkani in the family. To conclude the programme, there was a mind boggling surprise from Mussafah Konkani community which was appreciated and applauded by all. In short, all teams provided their best possible performance which was appreciated by all. During the programme, lots of spot prizes were distributed.

Rev. Fr. Robert Lasrado carried out a small prayer before food was served. Konkans speciality pork bafat was served along with other delicacies. In all over 800 people attended this mega event and approximately 140 participants participated in the programme. The programme was compered by M/s. Annu Bantwal who kept the crowd always humorous with his witty humorous jokes whereas Natkash Borkar kept the crowd on their toes. 12 Priests from different parishes attended this programme to grace the occasion.

Konkani Eucharistic service was celebrated at around 3 p.m. and the main celebrant was Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes OFM Cap and Chancellor along with Rev. Fr. Ashok Gonsalves OFM. Cap; Rev. Fr. Maxim Cardoza OFM Cap; and Rev. Fr. Robert Lasrado OFM Cap.

Immediately after the mass, a vote of thanks was given by Rev. Fr. Ashok Gonsalves thanking all who helped this event a great success. He appreciated the work of the ushers. In his final speech, he also requested this mettle should continue and grow and requested all the Konkani community should come forward and arrange such events once in a year for the further growth of the Konkani language, its identity and for the benefit of the community.

Cultural Secretary Mr. Lawrence Rudolf D’Souza requested all priests and dignitaries to come up onto the dais for the final felicitation and distribution of memento to all coordinators of different churches, priests, donors and well-wishers. All priests appreciated the efforts taken by Konkani community Mussafah especially Rev. Fr. Ashok Gonsalves for his incessant support to stage this event.

Prior to closing function, Baila dance was performed by Mussafah community along with other parishes and the programme came to an end at around 5:30 pm with all smiles on faces and finally tea/coffee and cake was served to all people. Indeed it was a memorable day in the history of Konkani community of UAE.