GOA DAY 2004 DRAWS THOUSANDS OF GOANS
The Goa Day 2004 programme held on 24/9/2004 was a big success drawing a huge audience from the different Indian communities and even other nationalities. Hats off to the wonderful crowd. The immense variety of cultural groups and children's groups performing excellent cheoreographed dance
sequences, together with the variety in Goan cuisine were the highlights of the joint efforts of 18 Goan organizations headed by the Goan Welfare Society at the tenth Goa Day 2004 event at the Marina Party Hall. A crowd estimated at over 2500 attended the whole day event at which Ram Rattan, acting Ambassador of Indian was the chief guest and the visiting South Goa Member of Parliament, Churchill Alemao was the guest of honour. The programme was compered by Lloyd D'Souza, Julio Cardozo and Cajetan Pereira. Popular Konkani stage artistes from KKK, KGTS, KHK, Navelim Youth Centre, GWS, Cutorcares United, AVC Sports Club among others, sang songs and presented comedy skits. GWS patron, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Alphonso were
the special invitees who are the sponsors of the GWS Educational Awards since the last 10 years.
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This year's award winners are Samantha Rita Fernandes, Kevin Fernandes, Uldric Agnelo Antao, Merryl Roland Lobo and Krystle Kavita Nazareth - all students of Carmel School. The Drawing and
Essay competitions held a fortnight ago were awarded prizes and certificates which were sponsored by Bader Al Mulla Exchange Co. and presented at the hands of G.Sadasivarao, General Manager. A number of attractive prizes including air tickets (Oman Air/Air India), electronic, computer and other items sponsored by Canon, SHOOT, Liqaa Optical Co., Hassan's Opticians, KITCO, Rainbow Milk, Lays Chips, etc. were won at the Raffles and the games of skill. The food stalls had a variety of Goan dishes and sweets put up by Crystal Focus Club, United Club of Utorda, Goan Overseas Association, Kala Mogui Kuwait, CRC Chinchinim, United Friends Club, Bombay Boys Sports Club, Curtorcares United, GWS, Chinchinim Villagers Association, and Colva United Centre. The games stall were put up by Bombay Boys Sports Club, G.O.A., GWS among others. With the traditional lighting of the lamp by GWS President, Carmo Santos, followed by the presidents of the 18 participating clubs the
programme commenced at 11:30 a.m. The Konkani songs singing competition was held soon after which had a record number of entries this year. The organizers thank the Embassy of India, Department of Tourism-Government of Goa, the Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, the visiting MP, Churchill Alemao, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Alphonso, Indian English Academy School, Alghanim Freight, National Car Rental Co., Peter Mendes, OTIS Elevators Co., Shuwaikh Electrical, Marketing Manager (SHOOT), Air India, UAE Exchange Co., Naser Mohd. Al-Sayer Freight Services Co., Coca Cola (Refreshment Trading Co.) , Al-Sallal Intl. Group, DJ Mad'Crew Entertainment, Mrs. Farrel Furtado ex-MLA (Goa), Peter Pereira, Universal Group (Farahatick), Salvador Dias, Tome Gracias, and the management of Marina
Party Hall. A vote of thanks was proposed by GWS General Secretary, Gaspar Almeida. The Soul Shakers provided the music for the variety show and Succor D'Mello & The Goan Origin gave their best for the cultural show. Nizar Kadambery's magical and illusion show took the children and the adults in a wonderous world. The 'face painting' stall had a booming time as could be seen from scores of faces with different artwork and colourful designs - both the young and the old alike - in their festive celebratory mood. A colourful 32 page souvenir was published to mark the occasion. The organizers thank all Goans, their friends, the sponsors, advertisers and gift donors for their contribution. It would be interesting to note that way back in 1995, the concept of celebrating a day for the Goans calling it 'Goa Day' was held and in no time this has been replicated the worldover. The Goans in Kuwait are indeed proud of it. The programme winded up at 9:15 p.m.
Report published in Kuwait's Arab Times English daily with the combo picture
on 29-9-2004.
Photographer: Rewon Gomes
(c) All rights reserved.
