Shirva Welfare Association Kuwait Holds Annual Feast
Kuwait: Shirva Welfare Association Kuwait (SWAK) under the presidentship of Alban D’Souza celebrated its Patron feast (Vodlen Fest) on February 3, at the Indian Community School Auditorium – Khaitan.
The evening programme commenced with the Introduction and welcoming of Melvin Rodrigues master of the ceremony for the day by committee member Robert Mathias. Committee member Urban D’Souza lead the prayer followed by melodious welcome song “swagat swagat” sung by Committee members for which lyrics were written by Lancy Rodrigues and music was provided by music maestro Adrian Gomes.
SWAK president, – Alban D’Souza officially welcomed the Chief guests Fr Noel D’Almeida asst parish priest of Abbasiya parish, Vallie M D’Sa, Stany Pinto, sponsors, well-wishers, Shirva Parishioners, committee members and their relatives to the celebration of the feast.
SWAK honorary member and Main sponsor of the event Lawrence D’Souza was also remembered during this time. Alban called on the
attendees to actively participate and enjoy the events of the day.
General Secretary Regina Serrao read out the annual report highlighting the services rendered by SWAK for the poor and the needy.
All the office-bearers and committee members of SWAK, together with the Chief Guest Fr Noel D’Almeida, Vallie M D’Sa and Stany Pinto cut the festive cake, as a token of sharing the joy and happiness with one and all.
In his festive message, Fr Vinay D’Almeida appreciated the good works of SWAK and said, despite busy schedules these works are performed to help needy people. He highlighted the works of the previous committee with president Alwyn and his team for the remarkable job in previous years.
He said -SWAK is doing a good job for decades. Our lady of health is protecting this association to do good deeds. He appealed to continue with the spirit of “people caring for people” by supporting the needy brothers and sisters in Kuwait and back home.
As a token of gratitude, chief Guests & the sponsors were felicitated by SWAK president Alban D’Souza with floral bouquets. Alwyn D’Souza read out the list of sponsors. The Main sponsor of the event Lawrence D’Souza was remembered for his seamless support for various activities and sponsoring the feast program ever since its inception. Co-Sponsor Vallie M D’Sa was also honored by the president.
After a brief introduction by committee member Joyce D’Souza, Senior SWAK member Stany Pinto was honored with a shawl, memento and fruit baskets by Fr Noel, Vallie M D’Sa and Alban D’souza for his support to SWAK during the past years.
Since its inception, every year during the feast, SWAK has been bringing to the limelight, the excellent achievements of committee members kids by felicitating them with their parents with a token of appreciation. The Education Felicitation of the top outstanding student of 10th standard sponsored by Urban and Janet D’Souza in remembrance of their angel daughter Princel Deona D’Souza. Alwyn D’souza and Doris lobo lead the award ceremony. The award was jointly won by 3 students Disha Mathias, Elton Pinto and Astrel Menezes for their outstanding performance in 10th standard. The students Maclean Menezes, Alvina Carlita D’Souza and Sheldon D’Souza were also honored for their academic excellence. All the winners were felicitated with memento and certificates by the chief guest.
Joylene Gonsalves was honored with a bouquet and memento by president Alban D’Souza for her victory in the Gulf Voice of Mangalore season 5 in the female category.
The audience were enthralled by the rib-tickling jokes of committee members Urban D’Souza, Herold D’Souza, Felix Serrao, Janet D’Souza and Walter Santhmayor.
In the midst of the celebration, MC’s Melvin Rodrigues and Dr Manohar Prabhu along with Clifford D’Souza conducted various spot prizes and entertained the gathering with the games.
A series of entertainment programmes followed, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed each of them. The classical, solo, dances were presented by artistes; Baby Danica Monteiro (Ek Taara – Classical), Melrick D’Souza (Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai- Sultan), Reeshel Fernandes (Pingara Pori – Bajirao Mastani), master Nathan Monteiro (lungi dance), Alrick Barboza (I look better when I am dancing) and Daniella (Nachde nee saare).
Melodious songs were sung by Baby Alisha Gomes (Molba Voilo Chandamama), Joylin Gonsalves (winner GVOM-5), Morvin Quadros (winner GVOM-4), Ashok Barboza and Jyothi Vaz with Konkani duet song “Hathanth gevun moga hath ditalon tuka haav bhaas”. Deon Prince D’Souza mesmerized the audience with his unique talent exhibition “beat box” with the vocal performance.
Towards the close, a Lucky dip draw and housie housie were conducted to keep the excitement alive. Lucky member and highest lucky dip seller were honored with prizes. Vice-President Clifford D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to the committee members, Owner, Chef and staff members of Caesars Restaurant and all those who contributed towards the staging of this celebration in various forms.
Vice-President made a special note of thanks to President Alban D’Souza and Urban D’Souza for their notable contribution towards SWAK. Urban D’Souza for being the highest lucky dip seller and Alban D’Souza did a commendable work of collecting the highest sponsorships for the consecutive year.
Fr. Noel D’Almeida invoked the blessings on the meal & Grace before the meal was recited by kids followed by symptoms buffet dinner.
The entire proceedings of the feast day celebration were compered impressively by MC’s Melvin Rodrigues and Manohar Prabhu.
Report By SWAK correspondent Alwyn D’Souza, Pics by Prem Crasto