Kuwait, Oct 8: As part of the ongoing decennial celebration, the Agnesian Alumnae of Kuwait or AAK community, along with their families and friends celebrated the feast of Nativity of our Blessed Virgin Mary or Monti fest, in Salmiya on Friday, September 9.2016

The celebrations began at 12 noon, with a welcome speech by the AAK liturgical co-ordinator, Lydia Misquith. The MC for the day, Alumnae Maria Coelho, gave a brief introduction of AAK and its activities. The community was then led in a prayer song by WanishiaFernandes along with AAK members, supported by AAK kids Angel D’Mello on the keyboard and Ethan Fernandes on the guitar. A formal welcome speech was delivered by the dynamic and enterprising president of AAK, DianyCoutinho.

As the AAK members LeenaFernandes and Shanti Fernandes prepared the kids for a procession and helped them with their flower plates, the MC explained the origination of the feast and the tradition of Monti fest. The kids were then led to the altar to offer their gifts of flowers to Mother Mary, while the members led the community with their beautiful renditions of the Konkani hymns 'SakkadSangataMelyan' and 'MoriyekHogolsiyan'. The kids then returned to their places with laden hands of 'Kobu' and laddoos. The parish priest of Salmiya, FrBlany Pinto, graced the occasion with his presence and blessed the new crops or 'Novem' – paddy and dates.

The community was kept entertained throughout by lovely performances. A skit titled 'PaatiAapnailenDirven' was performed by Lydia Misquith and her group. The skit was written by late Johnny Surathkal and the participants were Lydia Misquith, ShanthiFernandes, Sunil Mendonsa and Walter Brags. In proclamation of the canonization of Mother Theresa, a beautiful song was dedicated to her by Hazel Fernandes. A group dance was performed to a medley of songs by the AAK kids Mariet, Sancia, Vianca, Serena, Tania, Ariah, Aurel and Avrel.

A traditional Mangalurean ‘Novem Jovan’, catered by M & M Caterers was served by the AAK members on banana leaves after which, the entertainment continued with a game of Housie-Housie, games for kids, quiz round for the kids based on the tradition of Monti fest, spot prizes, a lively dance session rocked by DJ Kiran.

Shanti Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks, expressing her gratitude to the AAK members and their families, friends and M & M Confectionary, for their tasty food, DJ Kiran Sunny for his lively music, Allan Cardoza for the beautiful clicks, Godwin Veigas for the lovely decoration and all those who made an effort into making the event a memorable one.