Media Release
Udupi, Sep 19: Janani Mahasangha Mudarangadi and Catholic Stree Sanghatan Kenha-Mudarangadi unit celebrated Monthi Fest.
Advocate Namitha Kumari, president of Mudarangadi gram panchayat, and other guests inaugurated the programme.
Sumangala Bhandari, president Pragati Mahila Mandal Mudarangadi; Sujatha Suvarna, president of Billawa Mahila Organization; Afreen Jahid of Roshni Muslim self-help group, and Susheela, teacher Anganavadi Pernal were present.
Fr Fredrick D’Souza, parish priest Mudarangadi church and advisor of Janani Mahilasangha presided over the programme. Addressing the gathering, he said, "Monthi Fest is the birthday of Mother Mary. We even celebrate this as a harvest feast and as Girl Child Day. Girls play a very important role in managing the family. So, let us respect them. And no matter what caste and religion is in the society, we are all children of the same mother. The entire world is one family. When we realize this truth, the light of love, tolerance and kindness will rise in all of our hearts.”
Presidents of Divya Jyoti, Preeti, Shanti, Pramila, Keerthi, Divyachetana, Mallige, Vishwas, Samriddhi and Jyothi Self Help groups were present on the stage.
The patrons of the programme were felicitated. Samitha Mendonsa, president Janani Mahasangha welcomed the gathering. Celine Alwin D'Souza, proposed the vote of thanks.
The programme was organized under the guidance and cooperation of its founder president of Sugamya Jilla Mahila Okkuta Janet Barboza and present secretary Flavia D'Souza.
Delicious food using vegetables grown in the rainy season were prepared for the fellowship meal.
Shri Ganeshotsava Committee secretary Dayanand Salian, Harinaksha Shetty, Lion J B D'Souza, and Sheikh Zaheed were also present.
Church pastoral committee secretary Richard Vaz, Shakuntala of Dharmasthala Self Help Union, Nirmala convent chief sister Maria, St Francis English Medium School principal Sunita Corda D'Souza, Roshani Muslim Self Help group president Shabana Banu, Vincent Paul congregation president Robert Alex Matthias, Catholic Sabha president Jacinta D'Souza, Sunanda Poojary Stree Shakti Dhanalakshmi Group Santoor, Catholic Youth Organization president Rion D'Souza, Church Commissions convenor Shobha Fernandes, church assistant Valerian D'Souza and members of the church pastoral committee were present.