Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (VM)

Moodbidri, Sep 13: There is more meaning to the festival when new grain is offered to Mary and when we celebrate the feast together as one family, said Fr Mark Castelino, parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Taccode.

He spoke during the Nativity feast celebrations 'Kural Parba' on Tuesday September 11 in which Hindus, Catholics, Muslims and Jains of Taccode took part.

Valerian Moras from Tacode church in his introductory message briefed on the importance of the feast. He also put forth the need for various basic amenities like drinking water facility, construction of road, bridge and various others before the people's representatives.

Felix D’Souza, social worker and labour leader said that the Nativity feast was also celebrated in his ancestral house in a similar manner and said that it was a true example for other villages to emulate in bringing all people together.

An appeal was submitted by the people to Abhayachandra Jain and Sucharita Shetty regarding drinking water facility and re-laying of Nethodi-Taccode road. In response to this, Jain agreed to do the work once Taccode-Surlay-Pucchamoguru people give their land for  road construction.

The message of unity among people of all religions was further stressed by the meal served to all on plantain leaves.

The programme was compered by Andrew D’Souza, retired teacher.

MLA Abhayachandra Jain, Amarnath Shetty, former minister, Jaya C Suvarna, working president of Billawa Maha Mandala, Jagadish Adhikari, district BJP vice president, Ratnakar Devadiga, Moodbidri town municipality president, Krishnaraj Hegde, APMC president, Ashwin G Periera, Sucharith Shetty, former ZP president, Chandrahaas Sadhu Sanil, president of Hosabettu gram panchayat, Shanthi Prasad Hegde, Joylas D’Souza, youth leader, Valerian Sequeira, Ronal Rodrigues, Flavia Mendes, Moideen, Mohammadiya Jumma Masjid secretary, Ammi Kotian, Mervin Lobo, sisters of Taccode Bethany convent among others were present.