Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/887355
44 Events maltatoday SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 VASSALLO Group chairman Nazzareno Vassallo, CareMalta CEO Natalie Briffa Farrugia and other senior managers from Vas- sallo Group and CareMalta were special guests at an Onam cel- ebration organised by employees of the company from the Indian state of Kerala. Indian employees from this re- gion make up the second largest group of foreign employees within CareMalta and Vassallo Group. Onam is the harvest festival in Kerala, celebrated with much fanfare by Keralites across the world to mark the homecoming of mythological king Mahabali who is believed to have been the great- est king ever in Kerala and who sacrificed his life for the wellbeing of his people. It is meant to create an atmosphere of brotherhood as people of all religions, castes and communities celebrate the festival with equal joy and verve. CareMalta employees from this part of India managed to replicate the kind of atmosphere that is normally associated with this fes- tival: intricate flower carpets, an elaborate banquet dinner, pulikali and kaikottikali dance, reading of poems which all play part in the festival. Michelle Muscat, spouse of the Prime Minister, was also present for the celebrations and addressed those present. THE new APS Bank branch on Tower Road, Sliema was inaugu- rated this week in a brief ceremo- ny presided over by Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo. Bank Chairman Frederick Mifsud Bonnici welcomed the guests saying that the opening of a larger branch in Sliema is a mile- stone which demonstrates the Bank's commitment to make its presence felt in the banking mar- ket by providing a level of custom- er service which is second to none. CEO Marcel Cassar spoke about how the new branch is the first in a transformation programme which is re-defining the entire customer experience, providing a more con- temporary retail environment and setting new standards in branch banking in Malta. The technolo- gies introduced include Teller Cash Recyclers (TCRs), interactive touchscreens as well as 24x7 auto- mation in the impressive lobby. In his speech during the inaugu- ration, Bishop Grech spoke about the need for banks to look beyond profit and to develop a social vo- cation. This could be achieved by placing humankind at the centre of their activity, investing in the ethical formation of their staff and accompanying their custom- ers in developing a more ethical conscience in their business and economic activity. Guests were then invited to tour the branch and meet the staff who were led by their Manager Ms. Alexia Cesare. A reception fol- lowed. The new Sliema branch is lo- cated at 226, Tower Road, Sliema, corner with Dingli Street. For more information, one can call the bank's customer support centre on 21226644 or email in- fo@apsbank.com.mt. New APS Bank Sliema branch inaugurated Vassallo Group, CareMalta celebrate Indian Onam Raising funds for lepers in India and Uganda A lino print called "Wild Horses" by the es- teemed artist Antoine Camilleri, considered by many to be the father of Maltese modern art, was the main item at a summer auction held by the Grand Commandery of the Cas- tello, which forms part of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusa- lem, based in Spain. This lino print, together with other donat- ed items, fetched a substantial amount, fur- ther sustaining the charity fund of this chiv- alric organisation, based at Castello Lanzun, in Mensija, San Ġwann. The Grand Commandery of the Castello holds regular fund raising events to assist particular communities afflicted by leprosy in India and Uganda. Following a proposal by the Hospitaller Chev Paul Warren, dur- ing this summer, the Grand Commandery Council presented four donation tranches to Kagando Hospital in Uganda to fund the building of two units in what is going to be called the St Lazarus Wing at this hospi- tal. Photos received from Kagando Hospital show the rapid progress being made in their construction. Dating back to the 11th century, the Mili- tary and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem today is dedicated especially to the care and assistance of lepers, while main- taining the principles of Christian chivalry in all its work. Members of the Grand Commandery hail from different countries (both Maltese and foreigners permanently residing in Malta), and from different professions including medicine, business, finance, law, the mili- tary, academia, architecture, and the arts. A Friends of the Castello group is being set up for those who would like to become more aware of the Order and participate in its charitable and social activities in Malta and abroad. Further information can be ob- tained from: grandcommanderymalta.org Confrere Giovanni Navarro conducting the fund-raising auction at Castello Lanzun Gozo Bishop Mgr Grech inaugurating the new APS Bank branch (left) in Tower Road, Sliema Vassallo Group and CareMalta senior managers celebrating the Onam occasion organised by employees from Kerala in India