Doha, May 12, 2017: Mangalore Cultural Association, Doha - Qatar elected President & Vice President  for the term 2017-2019 during its 9^th Annual General Body Meeting.

Mangalore Cultural Association, Doha held its 9^th Annual General Body Meeting at Ashoka Hall, Indian Cultural Center, Doha – Qatar on May 12, 2017. 

Mr. Clement Fernandes, emcee for the evening welcomed the gathering and invited the audience to sing the MCA geeth. He then gave a brief about the association and the numerous eminent activities that the club has displayed in the nine (9) years of its existence and commended the support rendered by the Advisory members and the Executive Committee.  The Advisory members in attendance were Mr. Felix Lobo and Mr. Wilfred Fernandes, who were invited to the dais along with President Mr. Arthur Pais, Vice President Mr. Aloysius D’Souza, General Secretary Mr. Sandeep Noronha and Treasurer Mr. Clement Saldanha.

Veena Rebimbus, Clement Saldanha

C G S Taccode

President, Arthur Pais welcomed the gathered, greeted the advisory members with flowers and addressed the members with a heart full of gratitude towards the advisory & executive committee members for their continued support and dedicated efforts to take the Association to this great height in 9 years.  He said that MCA is completing 9 years and stepping into the 10^th year of its existence. MCA team is planning to bring out many programs in the coming year as a part of the decennial celebrations and requested the support of all members.  He gave an account of all that was done by MCA in the past 9 years to the information of all gathered members.

The president also announced the program for this year as follows:

·        Monti Fest Celebration on September 15^th, 2017 at ICCs Ashoka Hall.

·        Annual program on October 20^th, 2017 to be announced later.

·        Sports day (which was postponed due to weather) in November this year.

·   Arthur announced that the MCA Kala Puruskar 2017 will be bestowed on Cyril G. Sequeira, CGS taccode for his tremendous work in the field of Konkani Literature. CGS is also the founder member of MCA. The award will be conferred on him during the annual event on the 20^th of October, 2017.

The President then called all the executive members on stage and thanked them wholeheartedly. Later he dissolved the committee making way for a new committee for the coming 2 years 2017 -2019.

General Secretary, Sandeep Noronha presented the Annual Report for the year 2016 - 2017. This was duly accepted by the members and was approved by the president and advisories. Treasurer, Mr. Clement Saldanha presented the Financial Report for the year 2016 - 2017, which was accepted by the members and was approved by the president and advisories.

Advisory members, Mr. Felix Lobo and Mr. Wilfred Fernandes addressed the audience and their heartfelt words touched the audiences.

Mr. Sandeep Noronha, conducted the Elections for President & Vice President of the term 2017 – 2019. He read the criteria for selecting President and Vice President. Meanwhile Felix Lobo briefed all members to select an able President who could carry forward the good work done by the current President. Every member was given the right to vote to select the President of their choice. Mrs. Veena Rebimbus – Pais and Mr. Aloysious D’Souza’s names were nominated by the audiences to run for the president’s post. However, Mr. Aloysious D’Souza politely declined the nomination due to his professional commitments.  Mrs. Veena Rebimbus – Pais was unanimously elected as the President of the association for the term 2017 - 2019.  Nominations for the post of Vice President were put on the floor. Mr. Clement Saldanha, Mr. Sandeep Noronha and Mrs. Jovita Pereira-D’Souza’s names were for the Vice President’s post. Through a ballot paper voting process Mr. Clement Saldanha was elected as the Vice President for the term 2017 – 2019. Both newly elected President and Vice President thanked everyone for selecting them for the post and requested the members support.

Cultural programmes were put forward by the members of the association.

Clement Fernandes and George Menezes tickled the funny bones of the gathering through a short dialogue.

Tiny Tots Dianne Lobo, Venessa Fernandes, Viola Monteiro, Waylon Mendonca, Reevan and Rishon Fernandes danced to the tunes of Kinkule composed by Melvin Peris.

Rupert Lobo and Carol D’Souza rendered a beautiful duet titled: Ye go Baye Dance Maruya composed by Patrao brothers Derebail, accompanied by Kirthan Rodrigues on the Keyboard.

Upcoming young singer Christle Pinto sang a song “Ulo” composed by Lancy Noronha. She was brilliant in her rendition.

Young singers Wilson Mendonca, Austin Mendonca, Praveen Lobo, Vincent Fernandes, Nina Fernandes, Shalini Mendonca, Jane Pinto, Christle Pinto sang “Vadyanthle Kazar” by Wilfy Rebimbus. They

Entertained the audiences through their singing and dancing.

Sandeep Noronha proposed the vote of thanks. Clara D’souza prayed the grace before meals. Carol D’Souza conducted fun- filled and exciting spot games where everyone participated with full zest.

The entire evening was brilliantly compared by Clement Fernandes in a unique style well appreciated by all.

Scrumptious dinner was enjoyed by all as one big family.

The program ended at 10pm, around 150 members were present.