Abu Dhabi: Konkan Day celebrated at Musaffah St Paul’s Church

Media Release
April 26, 2018

Abu Dhabi: The Konkani community of St Paul’s Catholic Church Musaffah, Abu Dhabi celebrated 2ndKonkan Day on 20th of April 2018. It was an unique gathering for all Konkani loving people of UAE, representing all the Catholic Churches of UAE, namely Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Jebel Ali, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. The event was held under the spiritual guidance of Rev. Fr. Wilson Rumao, Spiritual Director of Konkani community of Musaffah, Abu Dhabi. The main purpose of this mega event was to bring all Konkani speaking community of UAE under one umbrella and show their unity and oneness among the all section of the people and to show the rich Konkani Culture and heritage to their children and the future generation to continue with the same spirit. Over 700 people gathered to witness the celebration. 

The celebration started at 10:30 a.m.  with breakfast and a grand welcome to all attenders with paan-pod and goud-udak -a traditional way of welcoming the guest by offering beetle leaves with arrack nut and jagry with water. All people were thrilled and appreciated the traditional way of welcome.

The Holy Eucharistic celebration began at 11:30 a.m.  The Main celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Valerian Fernandes along with Fr. Wilson Rumao, Rev. Fr. Maxim Cardoza, Rev. Fr. Annie Xavier, Rev. Fr. Luca Piantanida.  

Inaugural ceremony started immediately after the Holy Mass. M.C.,  Donny Correa and Suzan Azaredo welcomed the crowd. After the Flag march from various churches, Prayer Dance performed by St. Paul’s Church kids brought the atmosphere of celebration. John D’Lima, the Coordinator of Konkani Community, welcomed all Priests and Dignitaries on to the dais for the formal inauguration of the function.The guests of Honour who attended the function were M/s. Austin Prabhu, Joel Crasta, Robert D’Souza, GalliMinaraBabu and Nazareth Alphonso. Rev. Fr. Wilson Rumao, Spiritual Director, Konkani Community, Musaffah started the opening prayer and wished the function all the best. M.C.  announced the lighting of lamps by all Priests and Guests of Honour.  A huge cake was cut in commemoration of the event. Rev. Fr. Ani Xavier Parish Priest of St. Paul’s church Musaffah apprised the Konkani community of Musaffah for their contribution not only to the community but also for church and appreciated their active participation in all other church activities. 

There was a special felicitation function to Rev. Fr. Eugene Mattioli, OFM Cap on the occasion of celebrating his 61st Priestly Ordination and to Fr. Valerian Fernandes OFM Cap, on his Silver Sacerdotal Jubilee.  They were given a memento with Shawl to appreciate all the good work they do in the Vicariate. 

Austin Prabhu, the editor and publisher of Konkani weekly Veez, published in Chicago, appreciated the efforts of the Konkani community and the unity among the people. He wished such gathering is very important for the unity of the community. After this short program food was blessed by Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes and the Main Coordinator John D’Lima led the Priest and distinguished guests for Lunch. 

Cultural program started at 2:15 p.m. with a theme song presented by host team,followed by Gumta performed by Abu Dhabi. In the Gumta, they explained the meaning of our Lord’s prayer as well as Hail Mary. The tiny tots of St.  Francis of Assisi, Jebel Ali Parish performed a dance and people were just surprised to see the performance of tiny kids. Group singing of Sharjah enthralled the hearts of the people and as usual they kept the audience on their toes. Group dance performed by Jebel Ali was appreciated by the audience with a rousing ovation. The comedy skit of St. Michael’s church, Sharjah kept the people laughing hysterically and a loud applause given to them.  Abu Dhabi, teenagers too were not behind in receiving people’s rousing applause when they presented a beautiful dance. The beautiful Dekni dance performed by St. Francis of Assisi Church Jebel Ali was an eye-catching performance applauded by all. 

The performance of Our Own Cluster (OOC), Abu Dhabi a sentimental performance brought the present fate of the old parents. It won the hearts of the people as many audiences were shedding their tears. Kudos to their performance. 

The next performance was from the host team a wedding scene. They depicted true meaning of how in the olden days relatives and friends used to help the Head of the family by bringingvojenin kind.  The vojen was brought in a procession and it was remarkable scene to watch as different kind of vojen like rice mudo, tender coconut, banana leaves, and different kinds of vegetables along with Kelacho godai. It was an eye-catching scene for all people gathered, especially for adults, it was refreshing their memory and for children it was totally a novel thing to witness, remember and to cherish which was enjoyed by all. The Baila Dance was performed by Sharjah Parishioners where the audience started dancing on the floor. 

The vote of thanks was given by Veeda D’Lima, Joint cultural secretary. She thanked God Almighty for such a wonderful day. She also thanked all priests, Donors, participants, Ushers, and all who participated and made this event great success.

M.C. Donny kept the audience busy with his witty and humorous jokes and distribution of spot prizes.

The days final performance was Music by Goan troupe of Abu Dhabi to bring all spectators on to floor dance.  They have won the accolades of the audience and started chanting once more, once more.

Prior to closing the function around 5:30 pm, Rev. Fr. Wilson Rumao led the people for final prayer and declared Konkan Day Closed. People recited Laudate Dominumthanking Almighty God for providing us such a wonderful day. At the end as people dispersed, tea/coffee and cake was served.  All the people left the place with smiling face and sweet memories to cherish to meet once again for the Next Konkan Day. 

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 22,2020

Mangaluru, May 22: An elderly cardiac patient from Dakshina Kannada, who was stranded in Saudi Arabia due to covid-19 lock-down, has finally reached his homeland thanks to the timely intervention by Humanity Forum Jubail and Indian Social Forum.

The elderly man hailing from Kadaba area of Dakshina Kannada was admitted to a hospital in Madinah. However, his condition continued to worsen due to lack of proper treatment. The efforts by his family members to bring him back home had not yielded results.

Meanwhile, one of the relatives of the patient, Ansari Suratkal, who happens to be a DKSC activist, brought the issue to the notice of the Karnataka unit of the Indian Social Forum in Dammam. ISF contacted Humanity Forum president Zakariya Jokatte, who helped the patient to speak directly union minister D V Sadananda Gowda in a video conference organised by coastaldigest.com.

Humanity Forum also persuaded the Indian Embassy to allow the stranded cardiac patient to fly back to India through Dammam-Bengaluru repatriation flight on May 20. 

However, it was not easy for the patient to travel from Madinah to Dammam International Airport due to lock-down and curfew. ISF not only obtained travel permission for him but also arranged vehicle. Jeddah and Riyadh units of ISF helped in obtaining permission letter in their respective places in spite of travel ban imposed by the police. Madinah unit of ISF arranged vehicle for transportation. Zakariya Jokatte bore the air ticket and other expenses of the patient.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 5,2020

Kuwait: Friday Forum Kuwait conducted its 12th inter-school Islamic Elocution Competition at Hotel Rajadhani Palace, Khaitan on 1st January 2020. 

The competition, which was held in the senior and junior categories had participation from 15 Indian Schools across Kuwait comprising of 43 students. In the senior category, Ayisha Wafiya of Indian Community School, Khaitan bagged the first prize and Efrem Joseph of Indian Community School, Amman won the second prize. 

In the junior category, Hima Jameela of Indian Community School, Khaitan bagged the first prize and Fadhel Kandapath of Fahaheel Al Wataniya Indian School won the second prize. Nawaal Yaseen Ebrahim of Indian Community School (SR), Salmiya and Rhruthunanda of Indian Learners Own Academy, Abbasiya won the consolation prizes in senior and junior categories respectively.

This year, the event was fully conducted by the ladies wing of Friday Forum. Dr. Thasneem Amir, Ibtisam Basheer, Toast Masters Ola Rasheed, Fatma Abduhedeid, Shazia Thabassum and Marium Rangat were the judges for the competition in senior and junior categories. The event started with the Qira’at by Saneera Riyas, followed by welcome speech by Dr. Sajna Mohammed. 

The prizes were distributed to winners by Shahina Mansoor, Femitha Faseeh, Dr.Thasneem Amir, Dr. Sajna Mohammed, Zeenath Yacoub, Safna Sayam and Saneera Riyas. The Souvenir for the program - “INSPERIA 2020”- was released during the event by the chief editor Farha Abdul Rahman. The program was compered by Thanveera Noushad and the program convenor Subeana Shabeer conveyed the vote of thanks.

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Media Release
July 6,2020

Doha: Selvam aged 46 son of Subramanian hailing from Panakulam Village, Alangudi, Pudukkottai District in Tamilnadu province who worked as a technician, died in Qatar on April 24.

Due to challenging situation prevailing in both India & Qatar for body repatriation services, especially in Covid-19 atmosphere, Family is unable to progress further for past 2 months. At his stage Family of the deceased met Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Pudukkottai office bearers and requested to intervene and help out, and also agreed to bury the body in Qatar itself.

Hence, SDPI delegates communicated with well-known Indian Expatriate welfare Organization - Qatar Indian Social Forum (QISF). QISF General Secretary Basheer Ahamed, Secretary Abdullatheef Madikeri and team collected the required documents from the family of the deceased and managed to clear all the necessary formalities from the police department, Health Department, Embassy of India and Hamad Medical Corporation within a short period of time and arranged for a peaceful burial of Mr. Selvam in Dukhan cemetery.

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