Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 26: Christmas Bandhutva celebration was held at St Sebastian Church Thokur on December 25.

The president of the programme parish priest Rupesh Madtha said, "Religious celebrations must build spirituality in us and this must happen consciously". He also said "Society is lacking spirituality of true love today. The root of all religions is spirituality and unless we search them back we have nothing noble to offer to the coming generations. God searched human friendship. Let Christmas inspire us to search for friendship of God n our neighbours. That is Bandhutva."

Chief guest K Venkatarathnam, asst vice president at Total Energies, Baikampady spoke on the occasion and appealed the public to love a peaceful life as Jesus Christ taught. India is a land peace he said let peace prevail he wished.

Another chief guest Ummer Farooq the president of Jokatte Panchayath spoke and said the Christmas is a feast of love and concern. Therefore this celebration must inspire us to help one another beyond our differences.

The Bandhutva celebration was organised by various associations in the parish to mark the Christmas occasion. The chief guests were felicitated and prizes were given to the winners of star competition.

The Parish Pastoral Parishad vice president Jerald Dsouza, secretary Gretta Veigas, ICYM president Akhil, St Antony Association president Hadley Dsouza, YCS president Zeena Veigas and guest Seetha were on the dais.

After the formal programme various cultural programmes were held by children, young and elders to promote spirit of Christmas. Around 400 people of the vicinity from different religion were present.