Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, May 6: The full-house Giwana Hall in Radisson Blu Hotel here went berserk in applause and burst into celebration as sizzling beauty Aishwarya Shetty was crowned the 17th May Queen on Friday May 5 by Chennai Express’ 'Tangaballi' urf Nikitin Dheer in the august company of stunning multi-lingual actress, Mangalurean Ester Noronha, GWA president Simon D’Silva, ex-chief minister of Goa Luizinho Faleiro, who was the chief guest.
Aishwarya was perhaps the best choice to be the 17th May Queen as her wisdom matched her beauty and dazzling smile. While bold and beautiful Varsha Shrivastav was crowned the first runner-up, gorgeous blonde Rebekka Bijoy was chosen as the second runner-up. The winner Aishwarya walked away with a bunch of stunning prizes including gold necklace, pendant given by Prakath Jewelers, a Doha-Goa return ticket by Air India Express, 3 days free stay at the beach resort etc.
The evening was set to be a memorable one and it did live up to its reputation. In the last 16 years if anything has been synonymous with Goa and Goans in Qatar, then it has to be the annual May Queen Ball. The event being organized by the Goan Welfare Association led by dynamic and social activist well known figure Simon D’Silva has always been known for quality with melodious music, prizes, gifts, surprises and more.
It was Mahesh Prabhu, Bahrain who set the ball rolling with his eloquent entry as one of the comperes of the evening. After welcoming the gathering in his signature style, Mahesh paved the way for the entry of Doha’s favourite, Dubai’s ace DJ Glorio who almost immediately breathed in spirit and gaiety amongst the audience with some scintillating numbers. As the evening wore on, the dance floor had couples flooding in huge numbers elegantly dancing to the groovy and peppy songs of DJ Glorio.
Then it was the turn of Goa's top-most live band 'Alcatrazz' to up the tempo of the fabulous evening with their opening burst that had some memorable and evergreen peppy numbers. As 'Alcatrazz' belted out some of the everlasting numbers the dance floor within the Giwana Hall of Radisson Blu obliged with glee. There was hardly anyone who could resist the temptation from storming to the dance floor and celebrating the evening.
Just like the 'Alcatrazz', Updesh Swar doesn’t need an introduction. He's just not the mood-setter but a trend-setter too. Over the last 15 years he has carved a niche for himself with his eloquent and witty compering. He has been one of the best hosts in recent times and on Friday May 4, he lived up to his top billing. He has the unique ability to hold sway over the audience and the event that invariably set the mood for the event.
As the evening wore on with the memorable dances and fantastic music, the guests of the evening evergreen actress, sizzling performer Ester Noronha, handsome Nikitin Dheer, Raj Kumar Singh, deputy chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Qatar and Luizinho Feleiro the ex-chief minister of Goa made their way into the jam-packed Giwana Hall amidst the thunderous applause from the cheering gathering.
Nikitin Dheer is a Bollywood actor who made his debut as the primary antagonist in Ashutosh Gowariker's historical film 'Jodhaa Akbar'. Son of renowned actor Pankaj Dheer, Nikitin has acted in films like 'Mission Istaanbul' and the mega hit 'Chennai Express' in which his role as Tangaballi, a dreaded Tamil goon, earned him much appreciation.
Ester Noronha, born in Bahrain, is trained in piano, Bharatnatyam, Carnatic singing, guitar and has been performing in live shows in Konkani language from the age of 9. Ester was trained in Kathak and Bollywood dancing under Saroj Khan. Though she debuted in Hindi with award winning non-commercial movie ‘Baromas’, it was her debut Telugu movie 1000 Abaddalu" in 2013, that made her an instant hit in Tollywood. Her 'Bhimavaram Bullodu' opposite lead actor Sunil turned out to be a massive hit completing 50 successful days in theaters across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana thus making Ester Noronha popular in the Telugu film industry. She has acted in the blockbuster Konkani movie 'Noshibacho Khell'.
While the Alcatrazz kept the gathering busy on the dance floor, Dubai's numero uno DJ Glorio had the audience asking for more as he played some of the most groovy and peppy numbers. As DJ Glorio made it a point to play fantastic music to cater exclusively to the taste and choice of all, the dance floor had the couples flooding in large numbers.
Alcatrazz and Updesh together are a heavy dose of music and masthi that has the ability to set floor on fire with their spectacular performances. Alcatrazz has blazed the music world with their sensational blend of vocals, instruments, rhythm, visual technique in trend and showmanship. The band powered by Cassian Fernandes (lead vocals), Patrick Silveira (drums and vocals), Cassius Fernandes (keyboards and vocals), Peter Faria (bass and vocals), Francis D'Souza (lead and vocals) and Sandra Franco (vocalist) satiated the music buds of all the guests by playing fantastic music catering exclusively to taste and choice of all. As the time flew, the ‘’Alcatrazz’’ proved as to why they are considered as numero uno band in Goa for such a long period.
The much awaited live performance of Ester Noronha was anything but spectacular. Ester was renowned for belting out hit Konkani numbers of legendary Lorna, during her singing career in Mangalore, Mumbai and elsewhere. She was at melodious best at the Giwana Hall she presented some of the most memorable Goan numbers such as ‘Bebdo’, ‘Piso’ etc that brought down the house with reverberating applause by the audience.
The glittering full-house evening had lot in store in the form of surprises and prizes as the organizers showered in number of attractive prizes to the people on the dancing floor. The first dancers, the best dancers, the young dancers all were caught in surprise as valuable prizes came their way.
Dr R Seetharaman, Group CEO of Doha Bank was felicitated during the event for receiving the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA). The PBSA is the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians by the government of India. Pranab Mukherji, President of India, handed over the Award citation and the gold medallion to Dr Seetharaman on January 9, 2017 in Bengaluru. In recognition to this GWA felicitated him at the hands of chief guest Luizinho Faleiro, MLA and ex-chief minister of Goa.
Dubai’s famed firm Orbit Events & Marketing was launched in Qatar officially during the event. Orbit Qatar is led by Simon D'Silva as managing director and Gasdy Fernandes as marketing head.
But the icing on the cake for the evening came in the form of the crowning of the 17th May Queen who was chosen among 14 beautiful contestants. The beauty pageant was judged by Archie D'Mello, Antonio Nunes and Ester Noronha. The jury panel was headed by M S Bukari.
The Goan Welfare Association has been the face and voice of Goans living in the tiny oil-rich country of Qatar for the last 17 years without any doubts. Ably led by inimitable, social activist and multi-talented Simon D’Silva, the association has often joined hands with charitable groups such as CRY and CARITAS and has rendered yeoman’s service in nurturing Goan culture and spirit among the large number of Goan expatriates. On a larger note the association has always been in the forefront of reaching out to various causes back home, thus setting a shining example to all. It is therefore not astonishing to see them host events with great aplomb and success over the last decade. The association is known not only for meticulous planning but also perfect execution and the annual May Queen Ball has been the true example for this.
The event was also attended by a number of guests from India and GCC; Carmo Santos, chairman, Goan Cultural Centre - Kuwait, Agnello A S Fernandes, senior vice-president, Gulf Custody Company – Kuwait, Gasper Crasto, moderator, Goaworld.com – Kuwait, T-Bush, International Films, Kuwait, Antonio Nunes, leader of Archies Band – Goa, Francis Correia, businessman – Bahrain, Gabriel Crasto, chairman, Bahrain Football League, Henry Fernandes, managing director, The Yard – Dubai, Manuxin Fernandes, Dubai Trio King, Bardroy Barretto, director of Nachom-ia Kumpasar and Glen Barretto, Bollywood director etc.
Main sponsor was Qatari Industrial Equipment, co-sponsor FabIndia, official airline Qatar Airways, official bank Doha Bank, official hotel Radisson Blu Doha, official newspaper Gulf Times, and official web partner daijiworld.com.
At the end of the day it was a wonderful and successful May Queen Ball by Goan Welfare Association. The organizers ably led by Simon D’Silva and well assisted by the GWA managing committee members presented another flawless and perfectly planned event adding one more feather into the already glittering cap of Goan Welfare Association.