Mangaluru: A grand annual CASK(R) reunion 2019 was held at Lobo River View in the city on Nov 16. It is one of the most eagerly awaited and seven-star events of Mangaluru. It maintained its record as a spectacular show exhibiting the galaxy of talents of CASK members and well-wishers through singing, dancing, skits, Fashion show, modeling and culminating with a ‘Sing-Along’ of golden hits from the past fifty years! The age of the participants ranged from Five (5) to Eighty-Six (86!).
The programme was preceded by a light drizzle, interpreted as showers of blessing. The formal programme began with a prayer by Fr Ben Britto OFM (Capuchin). This was followed by a brief report on the various impactful and charitable activities of CASK by its two Vice-Presidents – Captain Vincent Pais and Mrs. Patsy Lobo. The list of projects includes – Personality Development Programme in School/college students, benefitting more than 4,200 students so far; Teacher Enrichment programme, benefiting more than 450 teachers so far; Footwear for barefoot school students (1,600 students) ; Safe Drinking Water units in rural schools(13 units); Eye Care; Home for the Homeless(3 houses sponsored); Support to Suicide Prevention activities; Promotion of Blood, Organs and Whole Body Donations and grant of Scholarships to 50-100 deserving students each year.
The dynamic President of CASK – Mrs. Nayana Fernandes in her Welcome address particularly referred to the new initiative by CASK i.e. To scale up the Green cover of Mangalore City and said that CASK has recently planted 800 saplings of fruit-bearing and flowering trees in the 9-acre Rudrabhoomi in Nandigudda-Mangalore. She mentioned that this activity was stimulated by the Patron of CASK – Rev Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore. She also mentioned that since the CASK Centenary that was celebrated on a grand scale in 2013-2014, CASK has disbursed a total of more than Rs. Sixteen Lakhs (Rs.16 lakhs) in Scholarships benefiting more than 400 students.
The four-hundred (400) guests enjoyed the enthralling evening to their heart’s content. The entertainment programme included (a) ‘Fashion Down the Ages in South Kanara’; (b) Bailas by the Sweet Sixties; (c) Messages by children on Environment protection; (c) A combination of Music, Dance & Song related to the all-time favourites – Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady & Sound of Music and culminating in a ‘Sing-Along’ of English & Konkani songs from 1950’s to date. The guests were further entertained by the Band ‘Micron’ and a gastronomic delight of typical Mangalorean food courtesy JoJo Caterers.
Reported by Mrs. Patsy Lobo
Pictures courtesy Dominic Saldanha
