Catholic Sabah, Udupi Deanery Elocution Competition 2023.

kallianpurdotcom: 17/10/23

Photographs & Reported By: Leslie Cornelio, 

Udupi: Elocution Competition at Udupi Deanery level in the adjacent Hall in Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi on Sunday, 16th October, 2023.

Sunday afternoon was very hectic for representatives of Nine Parishes, who qualified to participate in the next level, i.e. Udupi Deanery who won first and second places at parish level .

Catholic Sabah provides an excellent opportunity to budding youth leaders to sharpen and fine tune their public speaking skills in Kannada and Konkani for the last couple of decades.

Around 66 aspirants gathered in the venue and a large number of enthusiastic parents and teachers to encourage them at 2.00 pm. To begin the high voltage competition, the Catholic Sabah Varado President Mr Leslie Cornelio, extended a warm welcome and briefed the general rules and regulations, as the arrangements were in place to conduct the same in two venues.

Once the judges took charge, the lot took place and in Group-wise presentation was commenced. It was truly astonishing to observe the seriousness and well preparedness of all the participants, which took place in a healthy competitive spirit, took almost two hours to complete.

After the snacks and Coffee break it was a curious wait for participants to know the results. The finale was held in the ‘Ave Maria Hall’, started with the invoking Almighty Lords Blessings with the hymn in honour of Holy Spirit, followed by welcoming address by the Deanery President to the Chief Guest Vicar Vara of Udupi Very Rev. Fr Charles Menezes, office bearers of Pradesh President Designate Mr Ronald DAlmeida and others. He gave a brief and crispy introduction of all the Six Judges to the audience and were welcomed florally with roses.

The judges were – Mr Gilbert Pinto – Shirva, Mrs Clara Cutinho – Shirva, Ms Shirley Velentina Andrade, Shirva, Mr Archibald Furtado – Mount Rosary, Santhekatte Kallianpur, Mr Pius James DSouza – St Peters Church, Barkur, Mrs Rosy Quadros – Mount Rosary, Kallianpur.

While thanking the organisers, on behalf of judges, Mr Archibald Furtado shared his feelings as the quality of competition was at premium and informed he and his friends had really a tough time to make a choice and congratulated all the participants for their wonderful show of quality speeches on this stage and wished the winners all the very best in the next / final level.

Former President of Catholic Sabah Udupi Pradesh Mr Alphonse D’Costa in his address conveyed greetings to all participants, parents, teachers and lauded the Deanery Units best efforts in organising this beautiful event. He also requested the parents to support and encourage youth too to involve in this process of leadership training and make best use of this opportunity in coming years…

Very Rev Fr Charles Menezes in his message gave his own example of gabbing opportunities during his childhood and stressed for continuous practice and training to be an effective speaker. While continuing he shared few incidents wherein such training, in-depth knowledge, courage imbibed at grass root level help to face society, workplace and in public life. He also appreciated the yeomen service rendered by Catholic Sabah in the parish as well as in the Deanery.

All the participants were encouraged with gifts and the winners were presented with Certificates, cash Prizes as well as gifts.

The whole event beautifully compeered by the Convenor of the Competition & Varado President designate Mr Alwyn Andrade, while Secretary of the CS Udupi Deanery Mr Terrence Pereira  proposed vote of thanks to all present, making the contest successful,  including CS – Udupi Varado Treasurer Mr Oliver D’Souza, all the office bearers of Varado and local unit Udupi and all volunteers.