Media Release
Kuwait, Dec 3: The Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA), one of Kuwait’s premier associations, was formed in 1988 with the motto “In pursuit to provide education to poor children.” Along with promoting education, KCWA also focuses on nurturing the talents of its members and their children, helping them discover and develop their abilities.
KCWA Talent Competition was held on Friday, November 28, at the Indian Community School, Khaitan. The event was compered by Tressy Cutinho and Arwin Rodrigues and began with an opening prayer led by Alban D’Souza. The day started with off-stage competitions including cute baby photo, colouring – rainbow and Jubilee Year 2025 logo, draw and colour – Muja Ganvchi Sobai, origami art and craft, crossword, cake (foam board cake model) and salad making. The ICSK auditorium was filled with enthusiastic participants.
Following the off-stage competitions, stage events commenced with fancy dress – cartoon characters and famous personalities of Coastal Karnataka, solo singing, solo dance, ‘I Got Talent,’ group dance (junior and senior), and Mando singing. Participants impressed the audience with their performances, while the younger contestants captivated the gathering with their charm and innocence. Announcements were made by Smitha Suvarna and Johnson D’Almeida.
The judges for the various events were Adline Castelino, Anita Sequeira, Cynthia Lobo, Faustino Menezes, Lavina Britto, Lavina Praphulla D’Souza, Manoj Kumar, Morvine Quadras, Ronald D’Souza, Susan Thomas Colaco and Shalini Alva. Each event was evaluated by a panel of three judges to ensure fairness.
KCWA president Prakash Pinto welcomed the gathering with a brief note on the purpose of the Talent Competition and encouraged all participants. KCWA spiritual director Fr Avil Rosario invoked blessings on the organisers, participants and the audience.
KCWA felicitated the judge of the evening, Adline Castelino, daughter of KCWA members Alphonse Castelino and Meera Castelino, in recognition of her achievements as Miss Diva Universe 2020 winner and Miss Universe 2020 third runner-up — the first Indian to secure a top-four finish in 20 years. The felicitation included a flower bouquet presented by PRO Prakash Gonsalves, a fruit basket by cultural secretary Anil Pais, a garland by general secretary Reena Wilma Pereira, a memento by vice president Arun Jossy D’Souza, a shawl by president Prakash Pinto and a peta by Fr Avil Rosario.
Adline Castelino expressed her heartfelt appreciation to KCWA for recognising her achievements and for creating opportunities for emerging talent through such competitions. She said the platform inspires aspiring individuals to pursue greater accomplishments.
The judges were felicitated and winners honoured by Fr Avil Rosario, president Prakash Godwin Pinto, vice president Arun Jossy D’Souza, general secretary Reena Wilma Pereira, cultural secretary Anil Pais, Talent Competition coordinator Kevin D’Souza, along with immediate past president Naveen Valerian Mascarenhas and former president Maria Rinna D’Souza.
Merit scholarships for members’ children who excelled in the academic year 2024–25 were announced by Vinitha Pinto, with thanks extended to sponsors Allan Pinto & Fly, Lawrence D’Souza & Fly, Lester D’Mello, Nitin Castelino & Fly, Oliver D’Souza & Fly, Prashanth Ferrao & Fly, Prakash Gonsalves & Fly and Ronie Jyothi D’Souza. Extracurricular awards, sponsored by Harold D’Souza & Fly, were coordinated by education fund coordinator Veena Serrao and vice president Arun Jossy D’Souza.
The vote of thanks was proposed by event coordinator Kevin D’Souza, followed by the distribution of prizes to the winners.
Winners list:
The event was successfully coordinated by Kevin D’Souza, Jinella Rodrigues, Arwin Rodrigues, Naveen Monis, Arun Jossy D’Souza and Reena Pereira with strong support from the Managing Committee and Support Committee.
KCWA extended gratitude to the management of ICSK for providing the venue; Anand D’Souza of M/s Waves Sounds for sound and lighting; Roshan Rodrigues for managing soundtracks and timekeeping; Alban D’Souza for photography and YouTube live; Nilton D’Souza for handling online registration and KCWA Media Live video recording; Allan D’Souza for Facebook Live; and Stevan Rego of Phoenix Confectionery, Khaitan, for managing snacks and the food counter.
KCWA also thanked the panel of judges, all support committee members, KCWA members and all participants for their hard work and dedication in making the event a grand success. The association extended its best wishes to all contestants for their future endeavours.