Media Release
Bangalore, Apr 16: 'Abhay – Source of Empowerment', an association of bureaucrats, professionals and other people of good will, was officially launched at an impressive ceremony organized at St Joseph’s Boys High School Auditorium, Museum Road, here on Sunday April 15. This day can be marked in the annals of Bangalore as another step forward toward a just, peaceful and united society.
The inaugural programme to mark the occasion began with a prayer dance prepared under the guidance of the Sisters of St Charles Borromeo, Kothanur. The president of Abhay – Dr Archibald Gonsalves, welcomed the dignitaries to the dais and shared the vision of the association. The members who are volunteers from all walks of life share their time, expertise and energy to enlighten and empower the weaker sections of society, without distinction of creed, race or colour. The addition of new members has enabled Abhay to reach out far and wide through its outreach programmes, bringing joy and solace to innumerable people across the city.
Justice Santosh Hegde, who had willingly accepted to be part of this function, could not be present on the occasion. All the distinguished guests on the dais, launched Abhay by symbolically lighting a lamp. The chief guest, Zamir Pasha, the secretary of Minority Welfare Department in his address lauded the efforts of Christians and other NGO’s that have been in the forefront of serving the less fortunate. He appealed to the members of Abhay to avail of government schemes through his department and help in dispersing them among the needy.
The president of the gathering, Henry D’Souza , the bishop of Bellary presented the example of Mother Teresa as a model to be followed by Abhay and inspired the gathering with her quotes. He then released the souvenir of the inaugural function.
Shashi Minz, IRS (Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise) officially inaugurated the web-site of Abhay. The other guests of honours: namely, Anthony Mendonca (private secretary of Hon’ble special representative of Karnatakia State, New Delhi) and Sr Dr Genevive (general secretary, Karnataka Regional Commission for Education) were introduced through a brief profile and honoured.
The cultural programme that followed included a documentary on the activities and growth of Abhay. It was prepared by Divya Bhatt from the Adonai group. A western dance was performed by the girls of Asha Deepa. Keeping the main thrust of this movement in mind, the youth from St John the Baptist Church, Vijayanagar enacted a skit highlighting the evils and oppression prevalent in the society that needed to be rooted out through the services of organizations such as Abhay. A few beneficiaries of the services of Abhay were offered a memento by the guests of honour.
On behalf of the members of Abhay, Fr Silvestre D’Souza, thanked all those who had contributed to the evening. The Carmel Music Academy, under the baton of Fr Sudeep Christy enthralled the audience by rendering the soul-stirring song of Michael Jackson, “Heal the world, make it a better place”. As it was sung, all the members of Abhay, made their way to the dais with lighted candles.
Thus the curtains were drawn on an evening which was not only pleasant and endearing, but could be described as a trend-setter for those who wish to commit themselves to empowering people and making their lives brighter.