KCWA Rupyotsav:
April 25, 2014
Pics by: Joyston D’Souza – Impressions
On the completion of 25 glorious years of its existence Kuwait Canara Welfare Association (KCWA) led by its president Anil
Fernandes celebrated its silver jubilee with a mega event on Friday 25 April 2014 at the Kamil Al Rayes Auditorium, in
American International School, Maidan Hawalli from 3 pm.
A musical show ‘Retro to Metro’ by well-known artistes from Mangalore Adolf, Iqbal, Rajgopal, Shafi, Nayana and their team
and the internationally renowned Konkani drama “Aami Nathlyaa Vellar” by Daiji Rang Mandir – Dubai were the main
attractions of the event. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese, Ronald Colaco, philanthropist, entrepreneur and
president of the International Federation of Karnataka Christian Association (IFKCA), and J R Lobo, MLA of Mangalore South
constituency, were guests of honor.
The programme started with prayer song followed by introductions by emcees Deepak Andrade and Reema D’Souza. The
Jubilee song written by Lancy Rodrigues was sung by him along with Orson D’souza, Joyline Gonsalves, Deepak Andrade and
Reema D’Souza. The entertainment part started with Hindi oldies ‘Badi door se aaye hai’, ‘Main jat yamla pagla deewana’ by
Mohammed Shafi and Konkani Song ‘Mog tujo Kitlo Ashello’ by Adolf.
Bishop Dr Gerald Issac Lobo was felicitated by KCWA after which he delivered a speech wishing KCWA success in their
mission. He appreciated KCWA for supporting education in India and for providing a platform for Konkani programmes.
Priests, clergy and Carmel school superior who were present at the venue were honored with bouquets.
MLA J R Lobo honored Elias Sanctis for receiving district Rajyotsava Award and Pascal Pinto for his service to the
community with bouquets, shawls and mementos. H.E.Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait along with MLA J R Lobo
honoured sponsors for their support towards the cause of KCWA. Daijiworld founder and chief editor Walter D’Souza Nandalike
spoke a few words encouraging KCWA. Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait honoured J R Lobo. Both of them delivered
jubilee message to the audience. Sunil Jain asked people in Kuwait to support education in India. He said Mangalore is a
beautiful place and Mangaloreans should encourage tourism in their city. J R Lobo requested the community to participate in
politics, government jobs and educations such as IAS, IPS etc instead of going abroad. He asked to send the children of
NRIs to India instead of other countries such as Canada, Australia etc.
The couples, Louisa & Vally D’sa couples and Mabel & Sam Alphonso were introduced and honored with flower bouquets,
shawl, traditional cap, fruits and memento in recognition of their persevering and continuous support to KCWA by Bishop
Gerald along with Ex-Presidents of KCWA Lawrence Pinto, Stephen Machado, Felix Saldanha, Pascal Pinto, Rudy D’Souza and
Ida D’Silva. Considering KCWA’s contribution to the society, Sam Alphonso donated KD 5,000 to KCWA.
Ronald Colaco was brought to the stage with traditional decorated umbrella. He was honored with bouquets, Royal overcoat,
crown, fruits and memento by Bishop Gerald and president Anil Fernandes. Rudy D’Souza read out the ‘Maan Patr’ and Ronald
Colaco was bestowed by honorary title “KONKAN KUNVOR” in recognition of his philanthropic contribution to the society. He
started his message in a humorous way and said that most of associations eat, greet, meet and depart whereas KCWA
educates the unfortunate economically backward children. He asked everyone to keep a share of their savings for charity as
he does and asked the spouses to support each other as his wife supports him. Supporting the Ambassador’s idea of tourism
development in India, he asked the Indian businessmen in Kuwait to invest in a convention center type project to attract
tourists to Mangalore. All the singers and musicians were honored with mementoes.
The long-awaited internationally renowned Konkani drama “Aami Nathlyaa Vellar” by Daiji Rang Mandir – Dubai started with a
tribute to Kuwait’s Konkani Writer and Actor Johny Suratkal. The original play written by Madhusudan Kalelkar in Marathi,
then played in Kannada translated by Ramanand Choorya (Nav illadaga) has created ripples wherever and whenever it has
been performed. The play, a blend of emotion, suspense and comedy has captured the hearts of Konkani theatre lovers with
its electrifying moments and high voltage performance by amateur performers from Daiji Rang Mandir. The play is based on
the true life story of a naval commander and his family, which became a sensational case in Maharashtra back in 1959. The
drama was directed/acted by Dayan D’Souza and the actors were Walter Nandalike, Asha Correa, Alphonse D’Souza, Nanu
Marol, Allwyn Pinto, Godwin Castelino, Pradeep Barboza, Ketan D’Souza, Kumar Fernandes, Sandeep D’Souza, Regan
Fernandes, Prathima Castelino and Cynthia Irene Pinto. The music scores were provided by Kethan D’Souza and Arun
D’Almeida.
Daiji Rang Mandir honored KCWA president Anil Fernandes with a memento for giving them an opportunity and stage to perform in Kuwait.
The programme was ably compered by Deepak Andrade, Reema D’Souza, Lancy Rodrigues. Vijay D’Souza and Louis D’Costa
conducuted the felicitation part. Steevan Misquith proposed vote of thanks. Joyston D’Souza of Impressions was the official
photographer while Alban D’Souza and his team did the videography. Illuminations provided the Sounds and Lightings. Ansel
Gonsalves and Rajesh Aranha managed the powerpoint presentation. The musical show ‘Metro to Retro’ was the brain child of
cultural secretary Kiran Gonsalves. Caesars and Issnad Urban Development were the main sponsors of the event and
Daijiworld was the official media sponsor. The ‘early bird’ prizes worth IRS. 25000 and a return ticket to Dubai were
distributed to the lucky winners at the venue. Delicious snacks by ‘Caesars’ were distributed to the audience during the break
as the program was lengthy. The Kuwait audience stayed back with patience till the closing of the curtain.
A series of events such as The silver Jubilee thanksgiving mass on August 5, 2013, Monthi Fest on September 8, 2013, a
family retreat on September 12, 2013, Silver Jubilee Athletic Meet on October 16, 2013, a talent competition on November
22, 2013, ‘Christmas Party’ on December 6, 2013 and KCWA Cricket Cup on March 7, 2014 were conducted as part of year-
long celebrations.
KCWA is an organization of Catholics hailing from different parishes of Mangalore and Udupi dioceses, presently residing
in the State of Kuwait. A seed that was sown by KCWA founder members Francis Misquith, Elias Saldanha, the late Charles
Vaz and the late Johnny Misquith in July 1988 with a mission and a vision to help in the upbringing of unprivileged
children and families, has today grown into a gigantic tree. Over the years, the KCWA has generated donations of
approximately Rs 2.8 crore towards education and humanitarian needs in India and Kuwait, a major share of which is
directed towards the cause of education for children in the rural areas in Karnataka.
KCWA thanks all the sponsors, well wishers and volunteers for making this event a grand success.