Dubai: Manoj Menezes elected as new president of USWAS
Mangalore Today News Network
Dubai, December 11, 2011: Mr. Manoj Menezes, an active Shirva Parishioner, residing in Abu Dhabi, unanimously elected as the president of USWAS (U.A.E’s St. Mary’s Welfare Association, Shirva). Manoj Menezes was an founder member and office bearer in the committee since the formation of USWAS. Mr. Maxim Ferrao elected as the Vice President and Mr. Lesly Saldanha as the secretary.
In a meeting held on 1st December at Shezan Restaurant, Karama-Dubai, the committee members of USWAS were gathered to elect the new managing committee for the year 2012. The meeting commenced at 6.00 pm with a prayer from Mr. Paul Menezes followed by a formal welcome by president Canute D’souza. Mr.Roshan Menezes proposed the main agenda of the day and conducted the election of the USWAS office bearers for the year 2012.
Former president Mr. Canute D’souza stated, ” I’d like to thank the outgoing members for their support, cooperation and congratulate the newly elected President and his team all the success in their future endeavours”. Newly elected President Mr. Manoj Menezes extended his hearty thanks towards the committee members and requested support of members to work together to strengthen the Association. He promised to take an innovative lead for taking up more initiatives towards working for the welfare and lend hands to our own community people in their needs.The meeting came to an end with a thanksgiving prayer to patron Saude Mai.
The following office bearers were elected.
| President | Manoj Menezes |
| Vice President | Maxim Ferrao |
| Secretary | Lesly Saldanha |
| Joint Secretary | Lavina Menezes |
| Treasurer | Herald Mathias |
| Internal Auditor | Denis Gomes |
| Cultural Secretary | Roshan Menezes |
| Cultural Team |
Claudy D’leema, Prashanth Sequeira, Josna Martis, Lavina Tauro |
| Media Representatives | Vilma Saldanha, Nelson Castelino |
| Decennial Event Coordinator & Team | Oscar Rego, Canute Mathias, Sharan D’souza and Denis Mathias |
| Sports Secretary & Team | Ronald Correa, Francis Machado, Loyal Pinto, Canute D’souza and Joel Tauro |
| Advisory Committee | Paul Menezes, Ivan Mathias, Vincent Corda |
| Founder President | Franky D’souza |
| USWAS Rep Shirva | Grynal D’mello |
| Parish Priest | V. Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro |
USWAS, which came into existence at the end of December 2002, and has over 200 members at present, has completed 9 years with the grace and blessings of Patron Our Lady of Health. Year 2012 marks the decennial year of the Association. USWAS is driven with the motto, ‘Lend a hand not for self, but for each other’. It has been providing financial assistance to the needy for various purposes like education of financially backward children, medical aid, house construction, marriages of poor couples and such other purposes of the community of Shirva and surrounding efficiently through the generous help from its sponsors and well-wishers. St. Mary’s Post Graduation College Shirva Project was well supported by USWAS during this year.
The elected team is in full preparation for the upcoming “SHIRVA FESTHA SAMBHRAM 2012”. It will be celebrated on Friday, 10th February, 2012 at Sheraton Deira (Al Masah Ballroom). It is an annual event of the association and will be open to all. USWAS is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in the year 2012. SHIRVA FESTHA SAMBHRAM -2012 is an annual event which marks the beginning of decennial year.
As a part of decennial year USWAS is staging Konkani Drama “OOTRE UZWADLEM” by Sangon Mugdana Kalakars in Abu Dhabi on 27th April, 2012 to promote Konkani drama and art.
Proceedings of both these event will be used for the following welfare projects taken up by the association
USWAS has planned following projects/programs for the Decennial Year Celebration.
1. Support to build or repair low cost houses for the needy families of the Parish.
2. Free Medical/Health Camp in Shirva
3. Blood Donation camp in UAE.
4. Sponsorship to maintaining formation of young priest/nun from the parish.
5. Support for the marriage of economical backward females from the parish.
6. Supporting primary education for the needy students of the parish/high school
7. Fixing Filters for drinking water at school and college.
8. Organizing a cricket match tournament ‘USWAS TROPHY’ for the Konkani speaking community in Dubai in the year 2012.
9. Support for Manasa Pamboor and Maria Niwas Ashram Kalathur.
10. Sports event in Shirva.
The Decennial Year Celebration will conclude with a grand celebration ‘USWAS DASHAMANOTSAV’ which will be held on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at Our Lady of Health Church Open grounds - Shirva.