Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 17: Bandhavya, a federation of Catholic NGO of Mangaluru, commemorated International Women's Day at Canara Organisation for Development and Peace (CODP) Mother Theresa hall on the theme ‘Women is the power and destiny of India’.

Sr Leena D'Costa, the head of Sahodaya Social Service Agency Mangaluru presided over the event. She advised the women, reminding them their inner strength and power they possess. She also stated that men and women are made in the beautiful image and likeness therefore love must be the driving energy.

Sr Anna Maria, the head of Jeevandara Social Service Agency Mangaluru In her keynote speech stated that women are strong at heart and that is their greatest strength. "Know the strength and understand the depth and use them for the betterment of oneself, family, society, and country," she said.

The CODP secretary, Fr Vincent D'Souza, praised the women for being strong, incredible, and feminine while also praising their intelligence and sophistication. He concluded by saying, "A strong woman knows she has strength enough for a journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong.”

The programme was overseen by Fr Steevan Coutinho and there were 70 participants. The School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya postgraduate students provided a range of activities and entertainments in collaboration with seven other non-profit organisations (NGOs), including Spandana Trust, Sahodaya Service Agency, Olavinahalli, FSA Roshni, DKRDS, Jeevandara, Dharma Jyothi, and CIP. Fr Vincent D’Souza, the secretary of CODP presented a token of love to every participant. Chantrakatha, post graduate student of Roshni Nilaya proposed the vote of thanks. The celebration concluded with a lunch.