Doha was on its feet well in to the night of Thursday on May 8 as the Goan Welfare Association hosted its annual May Queen Ball, where the beautiful Kuwait based Christabelle Santos was crowned the 14th May Queen on Friday, May 9 by the Indian Bollywood character actor Aditya Lakhia and the stunning televsion actress Aashka Goradia. The event was held at the majestic Giwana Hall in Radisson Blu Hotel.
Another Kuwait based belle, Larissa Fernandes, bagged the first runners-up, while Emelina Soares was given the second runners-up award. The chief guest of the evening Goa’s ex-chief minister and general secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Luizinho Falerio, Qatar Airway’s Archie D’Mello, also sponsor and CEO of BetterHomes India – VilleFiesta Yogesh Mehra and Goan Welfare Association president Simon D’Silva too were present on the stage to hand out the prizes.
The Goan Welfare Association (GWA) has been the voice of Goans living in Qatar for the last 14 years. Superbly led by the multi-talented Simon D’Silva, the association has rendered yeoman’s service in nurturing Goan culture and spirit among the large number of Goan expatriates.
Besides, Luizinho Faleiro lauded the charitable, social and cultural activities of GWA and praised them for doing their service. Faleiro applauded SimonD’Silva and his dynamic team for celebrating 14 consecutive years of success.
Updesh Swar of Goa compered and set the tone for the evening. Also, Goan band Archies, and DJ Glorio, rocked the ballroom.
As they belted out some of the popular golden oldies, jazz standards, retro, ballads, the bustling dance floor provided perfect deck for Jive, Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and other Latino dances. But the moment of the evening came in the form of the crowning of the 14th May Queen who was chosen among 10 beautiful contestants. The beauty pageant was judged by Bollywood fashion designer Sarita Barretto.
Finally, Christabelle Santos who came out with flying colours and was showered with bunch of lavish and luxurious prizes such as gold necklace with earrings by Prakkat Jewellers, a Doha-Dubai-Doha return ticket by Cleopatra Travels, free seven nights stay for a family of four in Royal Goan Beach Club, Goa, Buffet dinner for two at St. Regis, wrist watch by Westar, perfume set by Eid Tailors, gold facial gift voucher by Shimmer Beauty and Shapers Salon.
The first runner-up was awarded with a gold chain with pendant by Marhaba Jewellers, free seven nights stay for a family of four in Royal Goan Beach Club, Goa, Buffet dinner for two at the Ritz Carlton, wrist watch by Westar, perfume set by Eid Tailors, black & decker blender by Al Muftah and a gold facial gift voucher by Shimmer Beauty and Shapers Salon. The second runner-up awarded with similar fantastic and memorable prizes.
The other winners for lucky entrance were Captain Joseph Coutinho for Doha-Dubai-Doha airline ticket by Cleopatra Travels, Younce Nayak won HP multiprinter by Iplanet, Niranjan Mendonca won Philips blender by Almana & Partners while Queeni Pinto, Manali and Dakhsh Rajesh won seven nights and eight days free stay at Royal Goan Beach Hotel. The winners for VilleFiesta lucky coupon were Lakshi, May Pinto and Deepa.
Goan Welfare Association felicitated the officials of the Goa Football Team that participated in the First Qatar Amateur League 2013/2014 organised by the Qatar Football Association. They were Goa Football team vice president Socorro Vaz, Manager Edson Fernandes, Coach AnthonyPereira, Technical Director Milton Pimenta and Coordinator RajeshLolienkar.
The association also acknowledged, appreciated and presented “10 Years Dedicated Service” award to General Secretary Hazel Rodrigues and Director Public Relation Paul Fernandes for their continuous dedicated service to GWA.
The main sponsor was VilleFiesta, co-sponsor Capital One, special sponsor Qatari Industrial Equipment, official airline Qatar Airways, official Bank Doha Bank, official hotel Radisson Blu Doha, official video/photography Gulf Colours, photography and effects Sunil Crasto, official media partner – Gulf Times besides other sponsors and well wishers.
