Media Release
Doha, Oct 24: World Goa Day organized by Goan Welfare Association (GWA) at Mercure Grand Hotel, Doha Qatar on October 19 turned out to be a riveting evening.
Kuwait-based Goan delegates and artistes, who visited Doha for the event, were in limelight and much applauded for their presence, presentations and speeches.
Lively comperes Perina and Peroz Pereira showed the ideal essence of hosting the event. The two comperes, especially Peroz, was a livewire all throughout and energized everyone with his witty phrases and interactions with the crowd right from the start. A number of gift vouchers and prizes were disbursed by Peroz who answered his quiz questions on Goa and Konkani language.
The celebration was neatly punctuated by little known Noronha Brothers from Goa - specially flown in for the event. The talented brothers provided the crowd with a world of rocking, comprehensive music and rhythmic masala of Goan songs and deknnis.
Kuwait’s Music Maestro Succor de Melo performed solo on his lead guitar aided by pulsating beats; his unique strumming touched the chords of everyone’s heart and watch the musician in awe. While some watched, others danced to the popular numbers played by the maestro.
Carmo Santos, a businessman, shipping tycoon, social worker, and chairman of Goan Cultural Centre, Kuwait, was chief guest at the function.
Known as the ‘Airlift’ man for helping thousands of Goans, Indians and other nationals during the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, Carmo was all praise for Goan Welfare Association (GWA) for the well-organized event.
Dynamic Goan from Kuwait, Agnello A S Fernandes, was guest of honour.
Agnello, a senior vice president of Gulf Custody Company, and board member of Indian Community Schools in Kuwait, applauded GWA and its team in his speech.
Speaking his heart during the presentation ceremony, stylish GWA president Simon D’Silva acknowledged the support of sponsors and well-wishers in organizing the event.
“We hope to continue enriching Goan culture, language and traditions in Qatar with the assistance of every Goan and like-minded people residing in Qatar,” he said.
Simon further added, “I am overwhelmed by the tremendous support given by the GWA Committee, well-wishers and sponsors to turn the World Goa Day – 2018 into a global event.”
Cultural presentations
One of the highlights of the evening was a choreographed group dance presented by young dancers donning identical FC Goa jerseys -- performing to a contemporary version of popular song ‘Tum mhojem sukh’.
The group had a couple of more sways dancing to ‘Bangarachen Goa’ and ‘Tiki Taka’.
Participants of the group comprised of Sean Fernandes, Shawn Fernandes, Lavin Tauro, Carol D'Souza, Andrea D'Souza, Elena Noronha, Danica Rodrigues and Chynara Rodrigues. The kids were trained and choreographed by Effie Noronha.
Star performers & DJ Nelson
There were amazing performances by individual artistes. While Qatar based artistes performed to their full potential, visiting artistes from Kuwait were eyebrow raisers, not to be left behind.
Young and handsome Figo Rodrigues played the keyboard and sang a couple of songs to great applause.
Kuwait’s Esparansa and Gasper Crasto sang two remarkable dancing duets – one on Goa, other a high-octave song called ‘Rock Star’. Both songs were well acknowledged and admired by Qatar Goans. Popular Goan John De Sa sang a solo song which impressed everyone in the audience and proved how popular the star is in Qatar.
DJ Nelson played the final session of sound waves catering to the new generation.
Goan art and traditions on display
An attractively decorated booth on Goan culture and traditions were on display to mark the World Goa Day. The friendly crowd that attended the function relished every moment of the event taking ‘selfies’ and family portraits of the wonderful backdrop.
Ghumott, the heartbeat of Goans beating worldwide was one of the items on exhibit among other notable artefacts.
Special invitees
Special invitees present at the event included William Aranha, Prakash Noronha, Alloysius D’Souza, Morgan Fernandes and Vivian D’Souza.
Nancy D’Silva, the first lady of GWA, was all smiles among a number of invitees, GWA members, guests and patrons.
Felicitations, honours & book release
The Noronha Brothers, Nikhil and Neevan Noronha were honored for their excellence in music, and presence at the event.
A book entitled ‘A Rose is Not Just a Rose’ written by Gasper Crasto and launched by Amazon.com was released on the occasion at the hands of Mr. Agnello Fernandes in presence of GWA President Simon D’Silva, Carmo Santos, etc.
The book, which was earlier released in Bahrain and Kuwait, can be ordered online (paperback) on https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1980212171.
Sponsors and supporters
Main sponsor of the event was Joaquim Vincent Pinto, co-sponsors were Milton Pimenta and Allan De Souza and other sponsors were Mercure Grand Hotel, Peroz Pereira and Shimmers Beauty Parlour. Media partners were Gulf Times, Daijiworld.com and Bellevision.com.
The event was coordinated by Orbit Events and Marketing.