Cultural Cohesion as a paramount objective, KCA UK held the Christmas celebration, which is popularly known as ‘Christmas Boom’ for the fifth successive year. The event was held at Hotel Nawaab Stockport, Manchester on December 17th 2011. There were around 28 families gathered from all over  united kingdom to participate in this fun filled evening .

The event was commenced at 6.15 P.M. with the Magic Show and face painting for children from Baz Entertainers- Manchester. Master of Ceremony Mr. Santhosh Sequeira gave a friendly start to the event by calling every family on to the stage. KCA UK President Mr. Stany Rodrigues welcomed the guests and urged them to take complete advantage of all the activities lined up for the evening. Excitements were high when Santa Clause came into the stage, which was followed by Carol Singing by children and ladies. Santa gave away presents to all the children.  Mr. James Ravi Pinto from Liverpool as Santa, along with some outstanding music from DJ Sujith Rodrigues from Manchester gave a thrilling beginning to the event. Most of the children were dressed for Christmas occation as Santa, which gave an extra flavour to the event.

As scheduled, the Bar was opened at 8.00 P.M. by opening the Champagne and starters were served, Mr. Martin Saldanha was incharge for this set-up.  This is followed by some exciting games both for men and women, Mr. Santhosh Pinto brilliantly conducted the games. Mr. Anil D’Souza from Derby and Mrs. Diana Monis from Warrington were the winners. Mr. Reo D’Souza and Mrs. Praveen Solomon gave away the prizes to the winners.

The promising upcoming talent of Liverpool Ms Prathvi Shetty performed Indian contemporary dance on the stage. Mr. James Ravi Pinto, Mr.Stany Rodrigues, Mr. Santhosh Pinto, Mrs. Marina Monis, Mrs. Lainet Pinto and Mrs. Reena Rodrigues performed a group dance ‘Senorita’. Both the performances were well appreciated by the guests.

Delicious Dinner was prepared and served by Nawaab Restaurant. Comedy version of  Wedding was  performed after the dinner, by Mr. Cyril Pinto,Mr Ravi Pinto, Mr. Anil D’souza ,Mr Santhosh Pinto, Mrs Lainet Pinto and Mr. Stany Rodrigues who entertained the guests. Mr. Andrew Noronha from Blackburn was responsible for the photography. Lighting and Music System was managed by Mr. Santhosh Pinto Manchester.

KCA UK Secretary Vinod Barboza offered his sincere thanks to the sponsors and all who worked hard to make the event possible and successful. KCA UK thanked sponsors Mrs. Praveen Soanes, Mrs. Arshiya Periera and Mrs. Evet Pinto for their generosity. In the late hour of the event, all  invities were engaged in the nonstop dance. Family of the day prize was won by Mr. Kenneth D’Sa and family from Herford, Mr. Sujith Rodrigues and Mrs. Anthony Mary Rodrigues from Manchester honoured the winner. Christmas Hamper was won by Mr. and Mrs. Lilly Stalin, Manchester. Mr. Martin Saldanha and Mrs, Arshiya Periera were requested to honour the winners.

The event was designed and compeered by Mr. Joseph Santhosh Sequeira – Warrington

Report By: Mr. Vinod Barboza.

KCA UK celebrates the Feast of Nativity (Monthi Fest 2011)

KCAUK celebrated the feast of nativity, on September 10, 2011 at the Jain Community Centre Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester. The Mangalorean Konkani speaking families from different parts of UK gathered at Manchester to collectively venerate mother Mary by following the same culture and traditions that are still being followed back home in Mangalore, India.

Mrs. Arshiya Pereira gave a brief introduction about the feast of Nativity. Fr. William Menezes, the PRO of the Mangalore diocese blessed the new corn. Children showered flowers on mother Mary in enthusiasm and in excitement while the hymn “Morieak Hogalxieam” was sung by everyone. Their rhythm and sequence was further uplifted by the melodious choir team of KCAUK led by Mr. Stany Mendonca and was later followed by a Holy Mass.

The first reading was read by Mrs. Jyothi Mendonca and the second by Mrs. Renny Buthello. The homily was given by Fr. William Menezes. The prayers of the faithful were read by Mrs. Reshma Lobo, Mrs.Laveena Monis, Mrs.Laveena Ivy Castelino, Mrs. Lainet Pinto, Mrs.Anita D’silva, Mrs. Evet Pinto and Mrs. Reena Rodrigues. The Eucharistic Celebration was elated by the choir team and by the melodious music of Mr. Sujith Rodrigues and Mr. Joe Andrade.

After the holy mass Mr. James Ravi Pinto and the Master of Ceremony Mr. Stany Mendonca gave an introduction to the cultural activities through a skit. Mr. Richard D’Silva arranged and served refreshments to all the guests. The Secretary of KCA-UK, Mr.Vinod Barboza extended his warm welcome to all the guests, after which, Mrs. Dorothy Prakash from Nottingham performed the welcome dance.

The elderly people who were amongst those present were invited to the dais to actively participate in mixing the blessed corn with the milk which was later shared with all the guests. Their presence reminded others of their family members back home and also their near and dear ones. This was followed by a series of entertaining events which included Kungfu dance from KCA UK Kids, a group dance from the kids who had arrived from Sunderland UK, hilarious stand up comedy in Konkani from Joshua Pinto and Chris Joy Rodrigues Nottingham,  dance from Miss Fiona and Miss Rihana D’Silva from Birmingham, solo singing from Mrs. Ansuya Gomes from Bristol, Miss Melisha Barboza from Manchester and Mr.Sunil D’Cunha from Masefield. The Bollywood dance ‘Senorita’ and Semi Folk type dance on Fish Market was performed by KCA UK members. All the guests enjoyed the fun filled entertainment as well as appreciated the effort that went behind it.

Traditional meal with seven different types of delicious vegetables, including Sanna, Rice and Orn were prepared by KCA UK members. A big thanks goes to Mrs. Anthony Mary, Mrs. Arshiya Periera, Mrs. Reshma Lobo, Mrs. Reena Rodrigues, Mrs. Lainet Pinto, Mrs. Diana Lobo, Mrs. Marina Monis, Mrs. Evet Pinto, Mrs. Diana Monis, Mrs. Renny Bhutello and Mrs. Charlotte Barboza, for all the hard work put in to the preparation of the food. The food was later served on Shiroti (banana leaves) to the KCAUK guests. Thanks to Mr. Ravi Pinto for the Shiroti. KCAUK specially thanked Mr. Martin Saldanha, Mr. Alwyn Bhutello, Mr. Cyril Pinto, Mr. Kenneth D'sa and their team for their planning and co-ordination to serve the food for all guest in time. KCA UK also thanked all the people who helped them in serving the food with traditional dress (Mondu-Byras, white shirt and mundas on head).

After the lunch, cultural activities continued with an outstanding ‘Dandia’ performance by guests who had come from Sunderland. This was followed by amazing individual dances from Miss Rihana Buthello – Manchester, Miss Rachel D’Silva - Birmingham and Miss Sonal Mendonca and team from Sunderland. Konkani solo singing from Mr.Stany Mendonca and Mr Lavian Pinto from Nottingham. Dance performances from Mrs. Arshiya Periera and Mrs.Anthony Mary – Manchester and Mrs. Sunitha D’Silva and Mrs. Dorothy Prakash and skit from Mr. Ronald Lobo and his team also entertained the guests.

The behind the scene activities were coordinated by Mr. Anthony Vinesh Coelho from Sunderland and Mr. Vincent Dias from Manchester. Mr. Ronald Lobo and Mr. Alwyn Butello were key personnel in design and decoration of the stage. Mr. Brazil Gomes, Mr. Raj Periera and Mr. Santhosh Sequiera covered the entire days photography and videography. Mr. Santhosh Pinto – Manchester was in complete control of sound system and music throughout the event.

Mr. Ronald Lobo carried out a fund raising event for the association in the form of auctions of items prepared by Mrs. Renny Buthello and family from Manchester. Mr. Kenneth Ruban D’sa and Mr. Santosh Sequeira conducted the Bingo and prizes were awarded to the winners. Mr. Stany Rodrigues – KCA UK President introduced Mr. Andrew Noronha who took the initiative of restructuring the existing KCAUK website and also thanked Mr. Raj Pereira who took the initiative of initially developing the website for KCAUK.

The vote of thanks was given by KCAUK Vice President Mr. Rai Pereira. He expressed his gratitude and thanked everyone who directly or indirectly contributed to make the event a grand success. KCAUK gratefully expresses special thanks to the sponsors and people who worked behind the scenes to make the event a grand success. A special thanks was extended to Mr. Santhosh Pinto Manchester, Mr. Joseph Andrade Manchester, and Mr. Shailesh Rego Cambridge. Mr. Joy Pinto – Nottingham, Mr.& Mrs. Mervin Maria Pereira – Leicester, Mr.& Mrs. Mudaliar Nottingham, Mr. And Mrs. Moly Rego Sunderland, Mr. Vincent Dias-Manchester Mr. Brazil Gomes-Bristol, Mr. John Furtado and Mrs Thelma Furtado Sunderland, Mrs. Laveena Castelino- Manchester, Mr Herman Judith Vyland, Mr. Arun Pramila Pinto , Mr. Stany Jyothi Mendonca from Sunderland, Mr Fredrick Molly Rego Mr. & Mrs Kenny and Laveena D’sa - Hereford for their generous financial help.

The whole event was synchronized and brilliantly hosted by Mr. Stany Mendonca from Sunderland. The event concluded with tea. More than 150 people including kids and teenagers actively participated in this family event. The event concluded after tea with lau-da-te and a floor breaking baila dance.