Sharjah: The St Michael’s Mangalorean Konkani Community (SMMKC), Sharjah, held a vibrant and joy-filled fellowship gathering at Sharjah National Park, bringing together more than 600 community members for an evening of outdoor celebration, unity and cultural bonding.
A community united in celebration
The event, held from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM, drew families, children, and senior citizens, offering a relaxed and engaging atmosphere. Anchors Roshan D’Silva and Sunitha D’Souza opened the evening with energetic warm-up songs that set the tone for a lively programme.
Cultural coordinator Donald Noronha welcomed the gathering, after which Spiritual Director Fr Edwin Monis addressed the crowd, thanked the organisers, and invoked blessings for a successful and memorable gathering.
Games, activities and intergenerational bonding
Participants were divided into groups to encourage inclusive interaction. Children were grouped by age—below 5, 5 to 9, and 9 to 12—while adults participated in eight colour-coded teams. Families were intentionally mixed to promote bonding and ensure that everyone, regardless of age, shared in the fun.
The evening began with refreshments including tea, coffee, Mangalorean buns and goli baje. A wide variety of games followed, including tug-of-war, musical chairs, balloon passing, egg passing, Dumbe challenge, human chain challenge, ball passing and traditional Mangalorean Baila singing aimed at helping younger generations reconnect with their cultural roots.
An evening of joy, teamwork and community spirit
The tug-of-war competition became a highlight of the event, drawing enthusiastic cheering from all age groups. Prizes were distributed by community coordinator Alwyn Coutinho, who acknowledged the participants’ enthusiasm, teamwork and commitment to the spirit of the celebration.
Dynamic compering by Roshan D’Silva and Sunitha D’Souza kept the audience entertained throughout the evening. The overall programme was coordinated by SMMKC leaders Alwyn Coutinho and cultural coordinator Donald Noronha, supported by core committee members Deepak Lobo, Anil Pinto, Renita D’Souza, Ashika Monteiro, Rita Concesso, Dinesh Grass, Alwyn Almeida and Sheila.
A memorable evening of fellowship
The event concluded with a traditional Mangalorean dinner served by Udupi Restaurant, bringing the celebration to a warm and satisfying close. The dedication of SMMKC committee members and volunteers ensured that the evening remained filled with laughter, unity and cherished moments.
Their collective effort transformed the fellowship event into a heartwarming celebration—leaving participants overwhelmed with gratitude and fond memories that will be treasured for years to come.