Mangalore: Work for people irrespective of caste - Bishop to J R Lobo
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje / Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, May 21: Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza on behalf of the diocese of Mangalore felicitated newly elected MLA JR Lobo at Bishop’s house on Tuesday May 21, in recognition of his victory from Mangalore South constituency in the recent Assembly elections.
Bestowing the honour on J R Lobo, Dr Aloysius said, "We are happy today and it is mainly because our desired candidate got elected as our MLA. All the people have supported him in one or the other way and hence his victory is our victory," said the Bishop.
"As we were attacked several times on various grounds, be it church attacks or in other ways affecting the common man, people felt the need for change and the result was J R Lobo being elected as MLA," he added.
"With the view to have a representative elected from our community, we had set up a political committee at the diocese level under the leadership of M P Noronha. The committee did a commendable job during the election in reaching out to people in all the eight constituencies in the district and thus ensuring maximum turnout for the polls," said the Bishop, "This election has shown what we can do if we are united."
Dr Aloysius also asked Lobo to serve all people who are in need, irrespective of caste, religion and other aspects and asked him to concentrate on works that need attention on priority.
"Let our prayers give J R Lobo the support and strength to carry out his work effectively," added the Bishop Dr Aloysius.
He thanked convener of diocese political awareness committee M P Noronha, co-convener Roy Castelino, members Nigel Pereira and Gerald D'Costa.
He also wholeheartedly thanked and appreciated entrepreneur and philanthropist Ronald Colaco for his immense support and service towards the community and said that Colaco had played a vital role in J R Lobo's victory.
Acknowledging the honour, MLA Lobo said that he won mainly because of the support of the people. "I am thankful to god for this victory and I am happy that the area got a Catholic representative after 20 years," he said.
"My path was different, but unexpectedly, I joined politics. It seems like a miracle by god as I wanted to serve the people. It took me 6 months to decide whether to join politics or not. I thank the bishop and the Catholic community people. Unity among people came to the fore in the election," he added.
"Everyone wanted a change this time, as we were attacked several times earlier. My victory is not because of just one community, but it is because of the support from people of all communities. With this victory my responsibility has increased," added Lobo, assuring that he will work towards the development of the constituency.
In his address, advocate M P Noronha said that he was inspired by the bishop's concern towards human rights and Constitutional rights, and was thus able to fulfill his responsibilities as the head of political awareness committee of the diocese. He thanked Bishop Dr Aloysius in this regard.
"J R Lobo is known for his hard work and has immense experience as an administrator. His courage and determination in retiring from government service and getting into politics is indeed praiseworthy. May the city witness much more development during his stint as MLA," he said.
Mangalore diocese chancellor Fr Henry Sequeira read out the citation. Parish council secretary Gerald D'Costa thanked the gathering while Fr William Menezes compered the programme.
Fr Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general, Fr Henry Sequeira, diocese chancellor, Fr J B Crasta, M P Noronha, convener of diocesan political awareness committee, Fr William Menezes, and Jerald D’Costa were present.
Victory rally
A victory rally and thanksgiving procession by MLA J R Lobo and his supporters was flagged off from Nehru Maidan here on Tuesday May 21 at 5 pm.
J R Lobo along with other district Congress leaders were taken in an procession in an open jeep around the city.
The procession passed through Jyothi, Balmatta, lower Bendore, Nanthoor, Bikarnakatta, Kaikamba and culminated at Cordel Church, Kulshekar.
Chende sets, Dhollu Kunitha, Kalladka dolls, Nasik bands, tiger dance, Yakshagana and other folk arts added colour to the grand procession.
The elected coprporators of Congress were taken in an open vehicle specially arranged for the pupose.
A large number people, including leaders, supporters, party workers and well-wishers in around 150 to 200 vehicles took part in the procession.
Congress leaders Ibrahim Kodijal, Shashidar Hegde, Ivan D’Souza, Praveenchandra Alva, Ashith Pereira, Milaz Attavar, all the Congress corportaors, Mohan Mendon, T K Sudhir, Denis D’Silva and many others were present.
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