Report by: Vijai Dcunha (G-kere)

Muscat, Mar 2: Nirmala Goveas, a versatile personality, a well-known Konkani writer and singer, Gulf Voice finalist, a compere par excellence, a splendid actor/ dancer and most importantly, ever enthusiastic supporter of Konkani community in Muscat has been elected as the 30th president of Oman’s MCCP [Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish, Ruwi]. The president-elect Nirmala Goveas created a history in the annals of MCCP by forming an all-women executive committee for the year 2023-24. The committee consists of 9 exceptionally talented women eager to put their best foot forward to serve the community.

Nirmala Goveas – New president elect

MCCP is carrying out a noble mission of upholding the tradition and culture of Mangalurean community in Oman. It is also a platform for caring and sharing the talents and resources among the community members. In a spectacular ceremony of change of guard held during annual day celebration on February 10, Nirmala Goveas and her new executive committee took over the helm of MCCP from Jessie Vivian Pereira and her team, who successfully completed their term 2019-23.

Family of Nirmala Goveas

Nirmala Goveas hails from Mangaluru and comes from a God-fearing family of the late Alex and the late Benedicta D’Silva of Bendore parish, and she is the 4th among their five children. She married to Michael Goveas (of St Raphael Church, Badyar, Beltangady) former president of Ghala Mangalorean Community attached to Ghala parish. She says that her spouse is the real source of her support system in terms of bringing out her talents to the limelight and the growth to what she is today. She is blessed with 2 daughters, among whom eldest Angel Melissa Goveas, who was a very talented child prodigy of the community and whose promising life withered away before it could bloom in a tragic road accident, and the youngest Melina Goveas equally talented currently studying in Grade XII at the Indian School Al Ghubra.

Nirmala Goveas has been an Oman resident for the last 20 years and currently working as sales support executive at the Oman Holding International Group. From her younger days, Nirmala has been passionate about the cultural landscape of Mangaluru and was an active member of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement and was a lead to promote the Konkani culture and language. After moving to Oman, she continued her passion and had actively participated in various events such as Gulf Voice of Mangalore singing, and for some time in Konkani choir group and other activities to promote the Konkani culture. She had served MCCP for 2 terms as general secretary and vice president respectively. She also recently completed her term as vice president of Ghala Mangalorean Catholic Community Association attached to Ghala parish. She is a foodie with cooking as her passion and tries different cuisines. She has been actively involved in the activities of the Mangalurean Association and helped in the success of various events during the presidency of her husband. She believes that the association has helped her to develop many friendships and she is very happy to be a part of the association. She is looking forward to contributing to the success of the association by helping in various social and cultural events.

Speaking on this occasion, she spoke on the values of MCCP, which transformed itself as a mirror reflecting the culture, tradition and upholding the values of our great ancestors and has turned out to be a focal point for the Konkani community in Oman. With the easing of pandemic restrictions in Oman, her new committee looks forward to reviving the socio-cultural activities and continue serving society in a better way this coming year.

Nirmala Goveas feels very happy to present her active and ever energetic women’s team. She feels the post of president is a progressive step forward and her all women’s team is a symbol of women’s empowerment. As the new president of MCCP, her vision is to foster women’s self-esteem, youth development and bring in the best of practices within the community.

MCCP’s Executive Committee members for 2023-24:

Executive committee 2023-24

Olive Jane Castelino, vice president (Cultural, Spiritual, CS)

Olive Jane Castelino hailing from Coorg, belongs to St Anne’s Parish, Virajpet. She is married to Clifford Castelino & is blessed with a son Reuben Castelino & DIL Joylin Castelino. She works for Alawi Enterprises LLC as a Senior Accountant & has served the community as General Secretary in the year 2017 – 2018. She was a catechist for the past 26 years, loves children & aims at saving souls for the Lord. With this being her motive, she reaches out to children with the love of Christ, as children are not things to be molded but are people to be unfolded. This has been a driving force to contribute in a meaningful way to the community in large.

Caroline Braina Pinto, vice president (Sports and Finance)

Caroline Braina Pinto native of Neermarga and married to Praveen Alfred Pinto and have 2 children Michelle and Jessel Ruth. She worked as a secondary school teacher for some time. She is a good sports person and dancer, besides a good home maker too. She has been an active MCCP member for many years.

Reshma Pereira, general secretary

Reshma Pereira hailing from Belvai / Moodabidri and attached to St Martin De Porres parish. She married to Steevan Pereira, and are blessed with 2 children Crystal and Resten. During her college days, she served in NCC with sergeant rank and held C certificate. Also, represented Karnataka in National Integration Camps (NIC) held in Delhi. She also served in YCS Central Council -Mangalore as diocese representative.

Mamata D’Cunha, honorary treasurer

Mamata D’Cunha native of Beltangady and belongs to St Raphael church, Badyar. She married to Lloyd Wilson Dcunha and have 2 children, Tiara and Tristan. She has won several top prizes in the Competitions held by MCCP. She won 1st place in the ‘Cooking without Fire’ MCCP’s contest held in 2019, and also in ‘Super chef cookery contest’ held in 2020 under the aegis of Lullu Food Carnival-2020. She is also the runner-up in the ‘Super Zodi-2019’ conducted by Mangalorean Konkani Wing.

Melisha Renita D’Souza, internal auditor

Melisha Renita D’Souza hails from the coastal region of Udupi, and belongs to St Xavier’s parish, Udayar. She married to Ashok D’Souza, and are blessed with 2 children Astrida and Aleister. She works for Oman International Hospital as procurement executive – surgical and consumables.

Juvan Sequeira, spiritual secretary

Juvan Sequeira native of Karwar and belongs to Our Lady of Assumption Parish. She married to Savio Sequeira. She had served for MCCP in different capacities. In the professional side, she is working as special educator in mental retardation. She is an active member of the church choir. She is also the semifinalist of Muzo Talo Ghaithalo [MTG].

Anyrith Sherleen D’Souza, sports secretary

Anyrith Sherleen Dsouza hailing from Tellar in Karkalla Taluk. She married to Joy Rohan Corda ( From Shirva) and have a child Joanna Rochelle. She is working as Senior Sales Executive at Al Naba Supplies & Catering Services L.L.C., in Oman. She participated in various sports activities conducted by MCCP, Oman Tuluver, Khimji Ramdas and had won the awards of Women of the Match & 1st Runner up in relay for Women. She is a self-made women with strong personality , dedicated to the task at hand & has a friendly nature. She is a brilliant Anchor and has led many formal corporate events & functions.

Rinet Menezes, cultural secretary

Rinet Menezes native of Buntwal, and belongs to Vailankanni Church farla. She married to Suneel Menezes (Past office bearer of MCCP, currently serving in the committee of GMCC, Ghala) and is blessed with a child Serah. She works for Global College of Engineering and Technology in the nursing department. She has been a pillar to strength in helping the MCCP – Team 26 during her husband’s active role as community service secretary . She has huge passion for dancing and acting ,and had participated in many cultural shows conducted by Mangalorean Community Associations. She equally skilled in organizing events and parties.

Sunita Furtado, community services secretary

Sunita Furtado, is the wife of Sunil Furtado, the former president of two noble Konkani Catholic associations in Muscat, namely MCCP (2017-18) and GMCC (2019-21) respectively. She has two  children; Johan and Zephan. She is working for The American International School of Muscat in the administrative department. Besides being a good home maker, she enjoys singing, painting, and writing poetry. She is also a passionate dancer and many of her dances are  popularly projected on a YouTube channel. She has served as a catechist for the past eight years at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Ghala. Sunita  has been a great support to the community during her husband’s presidency at MCCP and GMCC.

Finally, Team-30 fully geared up to make a grand year of events. While highlighting the team’s plans for the year 2023-24, Nirmala Goveas says that they have lined up many exciting events that will be entertaining the community members and at the same time bring back the true essence and glory of the motherland. She wants to have a real enthralling year for the members. Meanwhile, she looks forward wholehearted support and cooperation from every member of the community to make this year a memorable one for everyone.