Statue of Mother Mary flown in from Goa for the celebrations
Some of those who attended the Feast of Our Lady of Rosary organised by the United Goans of Fatorda UK at Wembley.
LONDON
The community spirit of a typical Goan village came alive during the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Rosary organised by the newly-constituted United Goans of Fatorda UK, a voluntary organisation of the villagers from Fatorda-Goa who are based in London.
The festivities at the Patidar House in Wembley were a sold-out community event attended by Fatordekars along with their families and friends from across the United Kingdom, including London, Edmonton, Hayes, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harlington, Harrow, Feltham, Wembley, Reading, Slough, Southall, Swindon, Southampton, Watford and Edinburgh.
THE COMMENDATION
Clayton Barreto, social secretary to the Indian High Commissioner, London, was the chief guest at the event and declared the festivities open.
In his address, Barreto commended the founders and members of the UGF UK for their dedication in bringing the Goan community together.
Barreto said their hard work and commitment are the foundation upon which Goans can build a stronger, more vibrant community in the UK.
“The formation of this association has been heart-warming and remarkable. We have come together, not just as a community, but as a family, bridging the miles that separate us from Goa, our beloved homeland. We celebrate our shared heritage, culture, and the values that connect us across continents,” said Barreto.
“Let us remember the values and traditions passed down through generations. Let us continue to nurture our close-knit community and create a legacy for our future generations. Let us cherish these moments, renew our commitment to our culture, and move forward together as a united and strong Goan community in the UK,” he added.
THE CELEBRATION
The event began with the Litany and popular Konkani hymns with faith and fervour, followed with the lively social atmosphere of Konkani music, traditional dances, authentic Goan home-cooked cuisine, village camaraderie and ‘street corner’ conversations. A statue of Mother Mary was specially flown in from Goa for the celebrations.
UK’s top entertainers, DJ Jonathan Barreto, and one-man band, Chico, took turns to set ablaze the dance floor with scintillating music.
Aliston Colaco, a noted personality of the Konkani stage and himself born and brought up in Fatorda, performed a Konkani song, specially composed by him about the place. Polly De Curtorim, a seasoned Konkani singer and entertainer from Wembley, also performed a couple of Konkani songs.
A housie was organised with a cash prize of £100 donated by Consaminguel and another prize, a wooden altar specially carved by international carpenter, Salvador Pereira.
The proceeds of the event, amounting to £200, will be donated to Daddy’s Home, a charitable institution in Gogol-Margao and run by Fr Valmiki Dias.
Several spot prizes and attractive gift vouchers were sponsored by Joe Braganza and Anthony Miranda. The chief guest, Clayton Barreto, himself sponsored quite a few gifts to the committee members, volunteers and performers.
The privilege of cutting the ceremonial celebration cake was given to children and the popular Konkani hymn ‘Maie Kakutin Bhorlele’ was sung with great devotion in honour of Mother Mary.
A salient feature of the community event was a traditional Goan buffet which included fish, rice and curry and the popular Goan sweet, Vonn.
UGF UK President and founding member Alvito Dias later proposed the vote of thanks.
THE CONTEST
A highlight of the event was the beauty contest – Rosary Queen 2023 – which was won by Ciana D’Costa, a popular socialite, Konkani stage artiste, singer, compere, community organiser and choir member, hailing from Panchwadi-Goa.
[From L to R] United Goans of Fatorda UK President Alvito Dias, chief guest Clayton Barreto, Rosary Queen Contest Winner Ciana D’Costa, Cosme D’Costa and Dione Barreto.
She was ceremoniously crowned by the chief guest with a glittering tiara and adorned by the customary sash by Bihula Vaz, creative director at Awaaz FM and one of the founding members of UGF UK.
The single judge of the Rosary Queen contest was Dione Barreto, a qualified chartered accountant in the UK, a senior accounts manager at property firm in London and spouse of the chief guest, Clayton Barreto. The beauty pageant was stage-managed and choreographed by RJ Roque Vaz.
THE COMMITTEE
The managing committee comprising Alvito Dias (President), Bosco Ribeiro (Vice President), RJ Roque Vaz (General Secretary) and Lino Fernandes (Treasurer) had worked hard to organise the event and the committee was supported by enthusiastic volunteers and generous sponsors.
The event was conceptualised and compered by RJ Roque Vaz, presenter of the popular radio FM show in UK ‘Konkani Uloi London Fuloi’ on Awaaz 99.8 FM. Ali Beg Bhai, CEO and station director of Awaaz FM Southampton was present at the function.
“It was amazing to see neighbours and distant relatives catching up and exchanging pleasantries after almost 30 years on a common platform in London. It was a truly dream-come-true community project for many villagers of Fatorda in ways more than one,” said Roque Vaz.
“We now plan a bigger festive occasion next year in honour of Our Lady of The Rosary, the patron of our Church in Fatorda.”
The United Goans of Fatorda UK committee. [From L to R] Bihula Vaz, Jandira Ribeiro, Bosco Ribeiro (Vice President), Lino Fernandes (Treasurer) and Alvito Dias (President).
