May 1, 2011
The first Pope to visit India came to Mangalore and addressed an audience of several lacs from a specially erected platform at Bajpe on February 6, 1986.
The Pope, Pope John Paul II, is scheduled to be declared "Blessed" on May 1, 2011 as a prelude to canonization as saint. Recently, Mangalore Catholics marked the silver jubilee of the Pope’s visit by erecting a memorial tablet on the stage from which he addressed the vast audience. The 30-acre site that was lined up for the Pope’s visit and address was secured with great amount of persuasion, and generous response, from 22 plot holders in Kolambe village, 1.5 Km from Bajpe airport where the Pope landed.
As a resident of Kolambe, and a member of the core group of local organizers, I have nursed fond nostalgia of the Pope’s visit and feel proud to recall those days for the benefit of the younger generation to coincide with the two landmarks – silver jubilee of the Pope’s visit and his being declared "Blessed".
In September 1985, as I was getting back from my Merry Stores to my home, I saw a person in white robe walking in a vegetable and chilli farm. I recognized the person in white robe as Bishop Basil D’Souza of Mangalore. I wondered why the bishop would visit that plot.
A few days later I met the Bishop and he informed me that there would be a big programme in that plot. Since he was my second cousin he would visit my old mother occasionally and since he knew that I was a member of Land Tribunal of this zone he asked me to get information of 30 acres of land in and around that plot for the Pope’s visit. The Bishop was aware that this plot was close to my house; I knew the farmers since I had helped them through the land tribunal. The 30-acre area was owned by 22 families. Out of those, 10 acres was the site where platform for Pope’s visit was erected.
I remember, the parish priest, Fr J J Saldhana, assistant priest, Fr Victor D’Souza, Alfred D’Cunha, Bajpe had toiled for the purpose. Gratian Aroza Pai was the administrator of the parish council and John Moras was the secretary during that period. Along with them, I was on the organizing committee of this great event.
Bajpe got the opportunity mainly because, during that period, Bangalore was boiling with the conflict between Kannadiga and Tamil Christian population. As the meeting site was just within 1.5 Km from Bajpe Airport, we were lucky to have the Pope visit us. The head of 800 million Catholics was coming from Rome; it was indeed a great event for all of us.
The land belonging to 22 families that was marked for the Pope’s visit had vegetable gardens. Fr Saldhana was given the authority to assure the families that the sites taken for the purpose would be returned as they are, with boundary walls restored.
To organize the visit, a Pope visit organizing committee was formed consisting of 72 coordinators from Karnataka region. Monsgneur Alexander D’Souza, vicar general, was the president of this committee. He should be applauded for the smoothness with which he carried on the whole process and made the mega event successful and memorable.
We were a few laity from Bajpe - John Moras, Alfred D’Cunha, Gratian Aroza Pai and me - who worked together with the Parish clergy. There used to be regular meetings of the organizing committee in Bishop’s House and the suggestions given by the Bajpe members were well taken by the bishop and co-members and also by the DC, DIG, SP and others.
This site lacked drinking water, the geologists had ruled out the possibilities of water source in the area. However, I suggested to the bishop that Soans of Moodbidri would show the source of water. He was brought in and a borewell was dug - the expenses were borne by the organizing committee funds. It has ample water even now - after 25 years. At present the borewell is in the ownership of Manohar Malli, a builder who, having bought the land, is promoting Abhiman Pope’s Layout.
I am proud to say that if the stage is untouched till date, I had a role in it. The originally selected stage spot was about 10 metres south from the present spot. However, the families who owned the land to be used as platform for the Pope delayed giving permission. When the team of chief secretary and DGP Garudachar arrived when the bishop had gone to Delhi, I took a risk to shift to the present spot which belonged to Jerome D’Souza. Had we not done this, we would have had to return the site to its owner which would have meant dismantling the stage, as per the terms for the use of all these plots. The stage remained untouched because it was sanctioned for Jerome D’Souza in the Land Tribunal. So the stage is safe!
During that period I had taken Merry Stores to run on contract, and since it had the phone facility (rare in Bajpe in those days), it served as an office, as I had to contact the officials concerned and priests involved over phone and personally.
On the day of the Pope’s visit, travellers from far had come at 8 am itself. People could not take eatables or anything inside the venue as there was tight security. Though we had made drinking water provision, it was not adequate inside the venue. However, the local families gave water to the people while returning, which touches my heart even now.
Malli has given 7 cents of the stage to the Diocese. He has named it as "Abhiman Pope’s Layout".
"Namaan zaanv Jezu Christak" said Pope John Paul II in Konkani when he paid his historical visit to Mangalore on February 6, 1986. "E Dina Karnatakada Mangaluru nagaradalli nimma madhye hajaragi nimmannu kaanalu nanage tumba santhosha aguthade" said the Pope to the applause of 5 lac people assembled to welcome him to Bajpe. The audience was amazed when Pope said, "Eshwaranalli vishwasa eruvavaru dhanyaru". Recalling the selfless contribution of Jesus Christ towards mankind, he said, "Somiyan amchya madhen vishesh karyan kelyanth". Speaking about India’s progress, he said, "Tho tumcha kutumbank ani rastracha karyancher ashirwadisundi". He blessed the people by saying "sath ani mog ekvat asdundi, somesthank devanchen besavn".
"Jiyon jiyon papa amcho, Laamb jiyon papa amcho" was the response by five lac people who were waiting expectantly near the platform situated 1.5kms away from the Mangalore Airport. People had come from all parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala for this historic event. There was a disciplined vehicle parking system, Government bus facilities, medical facilities including blood banks and ambulances, licensed food counters and drinking water facility. People were given proper information and guidance by the trained volunteers. There was separate gallery for photographers and the Press.
The stage was built in a unique style - 12 feet high resembling a Cross. The backdrop contained jasmine and yellow coloured flowers. A special high chair was kept in the centre of the stage for the Pope. There were red carpets all over the approach paths and the ground was covered with multi-coloured flags. The pendal was decorated with white and yellow coloured cloth. "Pope jagathgurugalige swagatha, Bharathavu nimmannu preethinda swagatisutade" were the words on the welcome banners. A tri-colour balloon at 60 feet height looked very impressive. People with trumpets, drums, classical instruments were present to welcome the Pope.
Many visitors had come to the venue the previous day itself. There was tight security. People appreciated the arrangements made by the organizers of the programme. The moving crowd seemed like the rivers in full spate. Controlling the crowd was a challenge to the Police; but they were successful in their mission.
An announcement was made at 2.45 pm that the Pope had arrived at the Mangalore airport and would be reaching the podium in 10 minutes. At 3 PM sharp he arrived at the venue in a special car. He stood in an Open Jeep and went around the ground and blessed the people. He addressed the gathering saying: "Pithana suthana mattu pavithra athmana naamadalli".
The Pope was welcomed by the Bishop of Mangalore who was the chief architect of this historic event. The Pope blessed the gathering again at 3.20 pm. He blessed 2 black granite slabs, one of which is displayed on the wall of the Bajpe Church. At 3.55 pm prayer service was conducted by various diocese heads in English, Kannada, Tulu and Konkani.
At 4.05 pm, the Pope announced in Kannada:"Mangalurige bandu naanu theevra ananda gondidhene, nimmellarannu devaru harasali". After this the choir sang hymns in praise. And when Pope blessed the crowd for the last time, people shouted "Pope Chirayuvagali".
At 4.10 pm he blessed the aged people and physically challenged patients and consoled them. I was fortunate to see him very close during this.
The choir members released the white doves as a symbol of love and peace. Then the Pope waved to the vast throng and returned to the airport while the people chorused: "Long Live Our Holy Father".
Pope John Paul II kept his first footsteps in Kolambe village, travelled in a car and then in an open Jeep in Kolambe, stood on dais in front of 5 lac people in Kolambe, blessed everyone in Kolambe. These are the moments I will always cherish because I am a proud resident of Kolambe village.