by Francis Pereira
Manchester UK, Sep 15: : KCA UK celebrated ‘Monti Fest’, popularly known as the ‘feast of the family’ on September 12, 2009 at Gandhi Hall Manchester with all traditions and greatness. All the Mangaloreans arrived to this event and experienced a renewed spirit of joy to attend this program.
The celebration began at the entrance of the hall with, children offerings their most beautiful flower to Infant Mary, adults following them and singing the hymn "Sakkad Sangatha Mellieam". When the people started singing "Morieak Hogolxieam", children were thrilled to offer flowers in honor to Infant Mary. Rev.Fr.Roshan Pinto, (Diocese of Shimoga) offered the prayers and the blessing of the new corns.
The holy mass began with the welcoming of the guests and an introduction of the feast by Mr.Vinod Barboza. The first reading was done by Mr. D.L. Periera and Mrs.Arshia Saldanha did the second. Rev. Fr. Roshan Pinto proclaimed the gospel and preached the homily. He said that he was pleased to see a large number of Konkani speaking families gathered collectively from near and far of UK, which reminded him of the nativity celebrations back home in India. Fr. Roshan proclaimed: “Following the foot steps of mother Mary and building up an ideal Christian family with all Christian values is the biggest gift, which we can offer to mother Mary on her birthday.
The prayers of the faithful were done by Mr.Ravi Pinto, Mrs.Marina Monis, Mrs. Evate Pinto, Mrs. Lainet Pinto and Mr. Cyril Pinto. The Eucharistic Celebration was elated by the choir team led well know singer Mr.Stany Mendonca and the melodious music by Sujith Rodrigues, which uplifted the spirit & joy of the feast and the hearts of the congregation.
Soon after the mass Mr.Richard D’silva arranged and served the soft drink to all the people, which refreshed the participants for the cultural event. Mr. Ronal Lobo brilliantly compeered the entire show. The Vice President of KCA-UK Mr.Santhosh Sequiera extended a warm welcome to the guests who had come far from Manchester. Mr. D.L. Periera, mixed the blessed corn with the milk and the “Novem” was shared to the gathering. The cultural activity commenced with the prayer song led by young talents, Raul Franklin Pereira, Shaun Pinto, Samuel Saldanha, Rodney Rodrigues, and Melisha Barboza. This was followed by inauguration of KCA UK website www.kcauk.org.uk.
Raj Francis Pereira, the chief editor of www.Konkanifriends.com expressed his gratitude to all KCA-UK past presidents and their teams for their hard work and dedication. Mr. Santhosh A. Pinto the present KCA-UK president explained the objectives of the website and emphasized the need of recognition of Konkani community in the United Kingdom. He expressed his sincere thanks to all his team members for providing him an unconditional support. He also recognized the hard work done by Mr.Raj Francis Periera, Mr.Santhosh Sequiera, Mr.Vinod Barboza, and Mr. Jenkin D’souza in developing this website.
The cultural event then continued with ‘Desi girl’ dance from Mrs.Dorothy Prakash, Mrs.Shalini Pinto and Mrs. Sunitha Rodrigues from MUKA (Mangalorean United Konkani Association) Nottingham. Mr.Stany Mendonca sung a Konkani song followed by group dance from Mrs.Lainet Pinto, Mrs. Reena Rodrigues, Mrs.Arhiya Saldanha and Mrs.Diana Lobo. Soon after this Rev.Fr.Roshan Pinto prayed the grace over the meals.
After Lunch cultural events continued with bollywood dances from Miss.Fiona D’silva, Miss.Rachel D’silva from Birmingham Miss.Rihana Buthello from Manchester, Miss.Crystal Furtado, Miss.Sonal Mendonca from Sunderland. Mr.Ravi Pinto of Liverpool and Mr.Santhosh Sequiera from Warrington danced to a early 70s Konkani song, where as Master Merwin and Master Leroy from Nottingham danced the ‘ pop the robot’. These two events were highly appreciated by the audience.
This was followed by a duet song sung by Mr. Stany Mendonca of Sunderland and Mrs. Ancy Gomes of Bristol. The President of MUKA Mr.Sunil D’cunha sung two melodious songs. The gathering was further entertained by the dynamic and jovial artists with their skits by Mr.Pius Raskinha, Mr. Deepak Alveres and Mr.Vincent D’souza from Nottingham. Another skit from Mr.Stany Rodrigues, Mrs.Charlotte Barboza, Mrs.Arshiya Periera, Mr. Vinod Barboza, Mr.Ronald Lobo and Mr.Ivan Castelino from Manchester was presented to the audiance. The president of KCA-UK Mr.Santhosh Pinto too entertained the gathering with his unique dance. This was eventually followed by Housie Housie conducted by Mr.Santhosh Sequiera and Mr.Ravi Pinto.
During the entire event master of ceremony Mr.Ronald Lobo entertained the audiance with his jokes and instant games. Mr.Ivan Cohello from London and Mr.Ivan Castelino from Manchester helped all the participants on the stage in setting the lights and other activiies. Mr. Brazil Gomes controlled the sound system.
The vote of thanks was expressed by Mr.Stany Rodrigues. He thanked every one, who supported and contributed to make the event a grand success. He gratefully expressed his special thanks to the sponsor’s people who worked behind the screen for days to make the event a very success. Special thanks were given to MUKA Nottingham for their active participation.
Around 130 people were present for the "Monthi Festh Function."
The event was concluded with lau-da-te followed by tea and baila dance.