By Usha Wagle Gautam

Nepalese, Filipino and Indian workers attended International Workers’ Day (also known as Labour Day) celebrations over the weekend at an event organised by the Asian Town management and A Biz at West End Park.
The event started with a minute-long silence, where the attendees paid their respect to the victims of Nepal’s earthquake.
Indian artistes stepped up to the stage first, and put up more than 12 performances. Artistes Anu and Romea performed an Indian classical dance.
The Mahindra Jalandhari Group performed a bhangra dance. The song was performed by band leader Mahindra Jalandhari along with Baldev Singh. Satnam, Sunny Kumar, Sanjeev, Arsh Deep and Vinay Ohri danced, while the dhol was played by Sandeep. Formerly in the army, Jalandhari said he is happy to dedicate his retired life to music, and to entertain Indian, Nepalese and Filipino audiences.
Dancer Subin PG paid homage to Michael Jackson and thrilled the audience with his borrowed moves. Subin said the last time he was in Doha was in 2010, but he believed that the audience still remember his performance.   
“Dancing is my passion and today I am very lucky to perform before an audience from three different countries,” the India-based dance teacher said.
The Poppins band performed 10 songs in Hindi, Arabic, English and Tamil languages. Band members Favas, Hariba, Sameer and Ashtamy stole the show with their rock covers.
Bollywood dance group KBDC-Qatar — consisting of Rahul, Safeer, Moni, Priyan, Nitin and Jeena — was the last to perform from Indian community.
Nepalese artistes then took the stage. Struggle Band performed nine of their best songs in Nepalese and Hindi languages.
Santosh Pariyar (vocals), Santosh Gurung (bass guitar), Bapba Charjhi (percussion), Rashid Bay (lead guitar) and Raj Shrestha (guitar) were in tune, as the band performed songs about natural beauty and the recent disaster that occurred in Nepal. Pariyar urged all to support Nepal in its time of need.
The UNI Group of Nepalese dancers — consisting of Deepak Magar, Yubraj Oli, Bhagbati Bashyal and Anu Mahat — performed twice. Recently formed in Qatar, UNI members said they were happy to get an opportunity to perform in front of such a large audience.
Folk singer Dol Pariyar was the last Nepalese artiste to perform, singing two numbers from his latest album. Pariyar said his house was also demolished in the recent earthquake, but he performed despite his personal agonies.
Klisctte Band was the first Filipino band to perform. They were supported by the HeatWave Dance Group, consisting of Erick, Juem, Dan, Nathan, Jerber, Arcel, Mark, Brian, and Aji, Tin.
D Friends Dance Group — consisting of Glenn Miguel, Jessa Nemeno, Bernadeth Maganaka, Eric Galauyog, Rolando Abbaz, Victorianto Rabago, Bjay Bangayan, Rommel Inzon, Yang Yang and Nerissa Bacusmo — performed Hip Hop and funk jazz tunes.
After the cultural performances, community police officer Doctor Bahauddenmade talked to the audience about traffic rules and regulations. He advised all, especially workers, to cross roads carefully only after looking out for vehicles on both sides. He also explained some of the more important traffic rules.



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