Pics: Stanly Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 23: Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh held a programme to identify and felicitate Catholic Christian journalists at Sambhram auditorium of Jeppu St Antony’s Orphanage on Sunday October 22.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore diocese along with other eminent personalities. Alwyn D’Souza, president of Catholic Sabha presided over the function. Dr J B Saldanha, spiritual director of Catholic Sabha was the chief guest. Director of St Antony’s Orphanage Fr J B Crasta was on the dais.
Addressing the gathering, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said that mediapersons do their job under tough conditions. “Reporters are in Gaza at the moment performing their job. They are doing their job responsibly. They have been doing their bit for the well-being of the society,” he said adding that Catholic mediapersons should follow ethics and hence become the voice of the community. The bishop praised the Catholic Sabha for taking an initiative to honour Catholic Christian mediapersons.
Guest of honour Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd said, “No one is unbiased in the media these days. Mediapersons can be biased and they have to be so. But the point is how much biased they should be and for what. Mediapersons should definitely be biased for truth.
“The community should support the Catholic Christian mediapersons which in turn can help them to be the voice of the community. That will give us moral support. I appreciate the Catholic Sabha for taking this noble initiative. I wish they hold such events twice a year,” he said.
Rons Bantwal, president of Karnataka journalists’ association Maharashtra, Roshan Martis, editor and publisher of Karavali Suddi Vartha Pathra, Wilma Monteiro, central secretary of Catholic Sabha, convener of the programme Paul Rolphy D’Costa were the honourable guests of the occasion.
Catholic Christians working in TV and print media as founders, editors and reporters were honoured with shawl, flower, fruits and mementos.
Rolphy D’Costa did the introduction and welcome. Alwyn D’Souza said that Catholic Sabha is always with the media friends. Secretary rendered vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Norbert Misquith and Lavina Gretta D’Souza. A buffet lunch was organized at the end of the event.
Secretary of Mangalore diocese pastoral committee John D’Silva, president of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh Santhosh Cornelio, chairman of MCC Anil Lobo, editor of Raakno Konkani newspaper Fr Rupesh Madtha and others were present.