On Sunday 13th Septemner 2020 Kanara Cultural Association (KCA) New Delhi (Regd) organized celebration of Monthifest at Ysuf Sadan, Sacred Hearth Cathedral Campus, New Delhi. This year’s Monthifest, however, due to COVID-19 pandemic was celebrated by KCA in a restricted manner by observing all government rules/regulations and social distancing.

The mini – celebration was held in the Yusuf Sadan Hall, Goldakhana, New Delhi. Sitting arrangements for the celebration were done in such a way that everyone could maintain social distancing. In addition, all were tested with a thermal gun and provided with sanitiser at the entrance. All pandemic related government rules, such as mask wearing and social distancing, were followed throughout the celebration.

The celebration began with Fr. Rohan, the spiritual director of KCA blessing the nove. After which, every person in the hall offered a rose to Infant Mary while the choir sang ‘Sakkad Sangatha Melya.’ The mass commenced immediately after that. Fr. Olwyn Pinto from Agra Archdiocese read the gospel and gave a beautiful sermon. Fr. Rohan walked around the hall giving holy communion to the faithful.

After the mass, Mr. Melwin, KCA cultural Secretary gave a short introduction to the day’s program and requested everyone to settle down. Then the president of KCA, Mr. Pius Monteiro welcomed everyone and briefed the various programmes conducted by KCA in 2019-20, such as Mass for the soul of departed members of KCA in November, Christmas celebration in January, Faridabad varado sahamilan. Also briefed the KCA plan for the year 2020-21. He also assured the members that the audited accounts and balance sheet FY 2019-20 will be presented during AGM of KCA in October 2020. He thanked KCA members and all present.

One of the impressive highlight of the programme was honouring the young achievers in studies. Students from class 1 -12 who did well in their studies were felicitated and a cash prize was given to each one. Fr. Victor Dsouza, founder member and first spiritual director of KCA in spite of age restriction came to celebrate the Montifest. A warm welcome was given to Fr Victor with a bouquet of flowers by Mrs Meldrid Pinto. Rev Fr Vincent Crasta, Rev Fr Sunil Crasta, Rev Fr Alwyn Pinto, Rev Fr Arun Lasrado, Rev Fr Cyril Moras all were thanked for concelebrating Holy Mass.

Mr Felix Fernandes KCA Secretary distributed Noven to all present and also gave away packets to be given to all KCA families who could not make it. Rev Fr Victor wanted laudete Domino song to sing to end the so that the tradition and spirit of KCA lives forever.

Finally, delicious breakfast made by Mr. Simon was served bringing the celebrations to a close.

To compensate for the lack of traditional Mangalorean food during the meetup, KCA also hosted an online food competition so that everyone could share the food they indulged in. Many people sent in videos of them feasting on the food on banana leaves while speaking about the dishes they made.