Vinod Lewis

Pics by Prem Crasto

Kuwait, Sep 18 : 'Monthi Fest' birthday of our beloved Mother Mary was celebrated with devotion and grandeur by Kuwait Brahmavar Welfare association (KBWA) with their family and friends on 12th September at Indian Central School, Abbasiya.

For the past six years KBWA has been organizing the Monthi Fest on a grand scale to provide an opportunity to all Brahmavargaars to meet and celebrate the Monthi fest with Traditional flavor recreating the fond memories of the Monthi Fest celebration in our native place.

Master of Ceremony Mr. Deepak Andrade gave a brief introduction about the association and invited the guests to join the prayer services. The New Corn was brought in procession with singing hymns. Rev. Fr. Paul Melwyn D’Souza blessed the new corn with the singing of “Moreik Hogoslia” and “Sokkod Sangata Melyan” and offering the flowers by small children.

Rev. Fr. Paul Melwyn D’Souza OFM Cap., presently pursuing his PhD in Switzerland & Rev. Fr. Abraham Kuriakose, Parish Priest Kandlur in Mangalore, Rev. Fr Raju Thomas (Vicar St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, Kuwait), Fr Noel Almeida (Parish Priest, Abbasiya, Kuwait), Rev Fr Xavier D’Souza Parish Priest Ahmadi, Rev. Fr. Reji C Verghese St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church were the guest of honours of the programme.

President escorted the guests to the dais. The guest of honours along with the President lighted the lamp. President Mrs. Gretta D’Souza extended warm welcome to all the guests present and expressed her gratitude for the support and cooperation extented. The invited dignitaries and sponsor of the event were felicitated with a bouquet as a mark of respect for their generosity. KBWA theme song was sung by the members of the association.
 
The Treasurer Thomas D’Souza presented the brief report of the activities of the association, highlighting the events of the past year and donations given to the worthy causes.

Rev. Fr. Paul Melwyn D’ Souza in his key note address congratulated KBWA members for organizing the Monti Fest on grand scale and invited everyone to show our devotion to our Heavenly mother. Other guests of honours also gave their brief message highlighting the importance of this festival and expressed their happiness for being part of the celebrations. Vice President Mr. Roney Lewis proposed the vote of thanks.

The variety of cultural programmes, were performed by talented children and members of the association.

It was the time for “Family Meal” and Rev. Fr. Noel D’ Almeida conducted the Grace before meals. As per our Mangalorean Tradition vegetarian meal was served on banana leaves with variety of vegetables like Alu Dento, Tendli, Padval, Beans, Kuvalon and Vorn. Brahmavargaars signature item home cooked “Fish Curry” was the sought after menu of the lunch and appreciated by one and all. More than 750 guests were present on the occasion and thanked the organization for recreating the Monthi Fest celebration in native atmosphere.

Raffle draw was organized and attractive prizes were distributed to the lucky winners. MC Deepak Andrade brilliantly compared the programme and distributed generous spot prizes those who answered the interesting Biblical Quiz questions.