Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 14: The city is once again witnessing the spirit of communal harmony through Ganeshotsav celebrations. While Herbet D'Souza of Jappinamogaru-Kadekar grows paddy in his field and distributes sheaves free of cost, the participation of the Nationalist Christian Forum in the Ganeshotsav celebrations at Sanghanikethan stands as another example of harmony.

Seventy-eight-year-old Herbert D'Souza, an auto-rickshaw driver and resident of Kadekar, has been cultivating paddy and distributing sheaves free of cost for more than 15 years, preparing and cultivating his own field at his personal expense.

About 15 years ago, when Herbert was serving as a gurkar at a church, he was saddened when he could not obtain paddy sheaves in sufficient quantity during the Thenna Habba, and even those who owned paddy fields were unwilling to provide them. This prompted him to think of taking up cultivation himself. He began cultivating paddy on his approximately 80-cent field.

The paddy grown in his field is sent to more than 40 temples and over 30 churches in and around Mangaluru. Hundreds of people also collect sheaves from his field during festivals. He continues this service without expecting anything in return. Herbert says he is particularly happy that, inspired by his efforts, many others have also started growing paddy sheaves specifically for festivals in different places.

In May, Herbert pumps water from a well into the field and ploughs it before bringing workers from Ranipur to complete the transplantation. As the crop grows, birds pose a major threat. To protect the crop, he has spent around Rs 30,000 installing nets across the entire field and its surroundings.

In another field, he has tied ropes throughout the area and attached plastic sheets to them. He has devised a method of pulling the ropes from his house, creating noise from the plastic sheets to scare away the birds.

The Nationalist Christian Forum has been participating in the Ganeshotsav celebrations organised at Sanghanikethan for the past 12 years. A delegation comprising priests, nuns and leaders recognised in various fields visits Hindu leaders to extend festival greetings and pray for the growth of communal harmony.

They also share breakfast with the leaders and engage in friendly conversations promoting harmony. This tradition began in 2014, and Hindu leaders have also been extending greetings during Christian festivals. This year, the Mangaluru Bishop has also been invited.

"I cultivate paddy so that sheaves are available during Monti Fest and Ganeshotsav. I do not accept any money from anyone. My wife Frieda provides me with full support in my work. I am satisfied with what I do,” says Herbert D'Souza, who distributes free paddy sheaves during festivals.