UMK celebrates Monti fest 2016
Kuwait: Once again. United Mangaloreans Kuwait (UMK) got together at a hall in Salmiya, to celebrate its 7th Monti Fest – the Solemn Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday evening , 10th of September 2016.
The programme began with a welcome by Master of Ceremony Shawn Pereira, followed by the procession and traditional flower offering by the little children to Mother Mary, accompanied by singing ’Sakkad sangatha mellyan” and ‘Moriyek Hogolsiyan’. Remy Cornelio recited the opening prayer and invoked the blessings on the gathered and well wishers of UMK.
Praveen Castelino led the angelus and rosary. Cliffy Aranha, Maxim Pinto, Shannu D’Souza,Joel Pinto and Joseph D’Souza offered the prayers of the faithful.
Blessed corn (Novem) distributed in the milk, followed by refreshment. Gurkar of UMK Agnel Saldanha welcomed the gathering.
Entertaining games and a Quiz on Mother Mary was fantastically arranged by Nirmala Machado. Maxim Pinto and Purander Manchi entertained the audience by their melodious numbers.
In his vote of thanks, Agnel Saldanha expressed his gratitude to each and everyone who supported to make the event successful.
Agnel thanked the well-wishers, sponsors for their continued overwhelming support to UMK during the past years and informed the gathered that, UMK could not stage charity show this year due to unavoidable circumstances.
Purandara Manchi led the prayer before the meal.
DJ Sunil Mendonca played devotional hymns, which added beauty to the ceremony. The sound was provided by Anand D’Souza (Waves Events Engineering) Anil Avil Fernandes captured the moments in his camera.
Keeping up the tradition of the harvest festival, authentic Mangalorean vegetarian dinner was served. While seated on the floor, guests enjoyed the authentic and traditional food consisting varieties of vegetables, mouth-watering pothrode and vorn prepared and pooled by UMK family members, served on shiroti (banana leaf).
The event concluded with ‘Laudate’.
