Rain is God’s gift to us to sustain our lives on this earth. It also evokes a sense of naughtiness in us. While children do not let go of any opportunity to get wet in the downpour, the adults do not mind getting wet occasionally and enjoy the sweet kiss of raindrops! And there cannot be a better way than playing fun games in the rain.
To fulfil this secret desire of the young and old, on 21st July 2024, the Young Catholic Students organised Monsoon Splash 2024 – a fun-filled games event – for all the parishioners.
At 4.00 p.m. Rev. Fr Fredrick Monteiro, Parish Priest, inaugurated the event, to the applause of the packed audience, by unfolding a beautifully decorated umbrella symbolising monsoon and carrying the theme of the event. Youth and flash mob are an inseparable duo. To entertain the gathering and to energise the participants, the members of YCS performed a breathtaking flash mob.
From the children studying in 1st standard to the senior citizens, there were games for everyone. The cheers of the gathering motivated the participants to bring the best out of them as they progressed with their respective games.
Usually, it is the men who peel the coconuts at home…and women prepare brooms out of coconut leaves. But there was twist in the story of Monsoon Splash. The participants were swapped – the gents had to prepare brooms while the ladies had to peel the coconuts. These two events, however, not only saw stiff competition among the participants, but attracted maximum cheering by the spectators. Not to be left behind, the senior citizens enthusiastically participated in the game of threading the needle. Defying all expectations, these three events attracted highest number of entries. Hats off to the ladies, gents and senior citizens!
Finally, the moment everyone eagerly awaited – that of Spot Dance – arrived. Ten groups comprising children, youth and elders presented exceptional performance that made the spectators tap their feet to the rhythm of the music and dance. And just as the Spot Dance competition started, the Rain God smiled. But the incessant downpour, instead of dampening the spirit of the participants, added spice to their performance.
Baila dance is as important to an event as pickle is to the meal. Keeping up with this tradition, after the event ended, the entire gathering danced to the tune of the DJ.
More than 350 parishioners – young and old alike – participated in the event. Leon D’Souza, President of YCS Angelore welcomed the gathering; Sheldon Menezes, Secretary gave the Vote of Thanks; and Shalom D’Souza and Daryl Monteiro compèred the programme.
YCS animators and members take this opportunity to thank the parishioners who helped them with sponsorship, materials and logistics.
The winners are as follows:
Cutting newspaper into long strip (I and II standard)
I place: Sherwin Fernandes
II place: Ethan Emmanuel
Lemon and spoon (III and IV standard)
I place: Elisha D’Souza
II place: Shawnell D’Souza
Writing names on balloons (V and VI standard)
I place: Ashith D’Souza
II place: Cliane Pais
Picking confetti with straw (VII and VIII standard)
I place: Aneesha D’Souza
II place: Daylon D’Silva
Filling glass with water with hand (IX and X standard)
I place: Princia D’Silva
II place: Shubha D’Souza
Bursting balloon tied to the legs (18-25 years)
I place: Jayson Machado
II place: Samuel Crasta
Sac race
I place: Denis D’Souza
II place: Riyona Fernandes
Peeling coconuts
I place: Mary D’Silva
II place: Flavy D’Souza
Preparing broom
I place: Alphonse Odeyar
II place: Paul Rodrigues
Threading the needle
I place: Wilfred D’Souza
II place: Lilly D’Souza
Spot Dance
I place: The Dynamos
II place: Kudlada Kadle
Photography: Deeron Crasta
