BISHOPS VISIT - THE GRAND FINALE

A grand finale to the  visit of  Bishop of Mangalore , Rt.Rev.Dr. Aloysius Paul D'Souza took place at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Abu Dhabi on 9.9.2001 at 8.45 PM at a private reception hosted by Konkani Cultural Organization ( KCO), Abu Dhabi . It was a fitting finale to the first ever visit by the Bishop of Mangalore to  the UAE.

A cross section of  Mangalorean community based in Abu Dhabi, KCO committee members, their families, representatives from Dubai and Sharjah, regular sponsors and donors of KCO organized functions attended this  grand reception .

KCO President, Mr. Dolphy Vas  welcomed the gathering and thanked each one of the members for their support for making the Bishop's  visit a grand and memorable one.   K.C.O. members presented Konkani golden oldies songs, which were appreciated by the audience.  The song "Govli Aila Aplya Shelyank Mellunk" a song specially composed by Mr. Wilfy Rebimbus for Bishops visit to the U.AE. was a  instant hit.

As a part of the programme, K. C. O. member and the Church choir Leader Mrs. Merlin Rodrigues was honoured for her impending departure from Abu Dhabi to Canada on migration, Mr. Dolphy Vas on behalf of KCO expressed his gratitude and hearty thanks for the great service rendered by Mrs.Merlin Rodrigues as ex-Entertainment Secretary of KCO, as the leader of Church Choir and other wonderful services rendered by her during the past  years. He said it will be difficult  to fill the vaccum created by her departure.  A memento was presented by.his Lordship the bishop,.as token of love and remembrance to her on behalf of K.C.O.

His Lordship, Bishop of Mangalore thanked KCO for their invitation and said that he thoroughly enjoyed his stay in the U.A.E . He urged the KCO members to continue the  wonderful service they are rendering to the community in general, especially for the Mangalore Diocese with the same zeal and perseverance. He continued saying the love and affection shown by the Mangalorean Konkani community in the UAE has touched his heart and promised that he will remember them in his prayers.

This was followed by a  a grand sumptous buffet dinner.

The function concluded at 10.45 p.m. by everybody singing "LAVDATE" as per Mangalorean tradition.  The whole event was compered by Mrs. Rina Pinto, who kept the gathering spell bound. 

His lordship will depart for Muscat on Monday, 10 September, as a part of his ongoing tour to the Gulf countries.