The Harrow Goans organised their second New Year's Eve Ball to ring in the New Year 2023 at the Sindhi Association Centre in Harrow-London.
The Borough of Harrow in West London has a small Goan population of around 400 and about 120 people attended the event.
The event got off to a start with the Grand March, with people enjoying the music and wasting no time hitting the dance floor. A minute’s silence was also observed in memory of the departed former Pope Benedict XVI, who died earlier in the day.
A prize for the lucky entrance, other spot prizes were given, and food was prepared by the organisers for the guests.
The highlight of the evening was the Countdown to ring in the New Year 2023 and a Miss Goa Harrow contest was also held, which was coordinated by Marcelino. Eleven aspiring young ladies contested for the coveted crown. Douglas Rodrigues, Patcy D'Silva and Maria Tecla D'Costa were the judges for the contest. The Miss Goa Harrow 2023 crown was ultimately won by Aloni Rodrigues, while Fascel Fernandes was the runners-up.
Music for the evening was provided by Noywan's music world along with Wilma, Macwill and Terence, while the event was compered by MC Jhofild D'Costa.
"This is our second New Year’s Eve Ball at the same venue. Due to the Covid pandemic, we could not hold this event for the past two years, but when we decided to go ahead with the event this year, there was tremendous support from everyone,” said the main organiser Sally D'Costa from Zoribhatt-Chinchinim, who resides in Harrow-London.
“Although there was little time to plan the event, we banked on our past experience and Benjamin, Marcelino, Nazrene, Savio, Sandra, Sharlon and Inacio saw that things were done appropriately and managed the overall arrangements. It was a huge success.”
“Apart from the crowd, I would also like to thank my brother Fr Steven Dias of the Goan Chaplaincy for his guidance and moral support. Holding an event is not an easy task, and it requires that extra zeal from your close ones to push you that extra mile."
"We will continue the trend not only with a New Year’s Eve Ball but also other festivities during the year, as there was a request from many who attended to hold more events like these,” Sally added.
