Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 18: Peace and conflict, prevention and resolution is one of the main 6 areas of focus of Rotary International. Rotary places a lot of importance on this subject which is very relevant to the present day and the happenings around the world. Due to war torn areas, millions of refugees get displaced and are moving to safer areas. Rotary International wants us to be peace ambassadors not only in conflict areas but also to start with our own neighborhood. When we have peace within us and in our country, then we can be in a position to focus our attention beyond.
This issue was talked about and debated at St Aloysius College, Eric Mathias Hall on September 15. St Aloysius College Alumni Association (SACAA) along with Rotary Club Mangaluru organized this event to bring awareness and to address in a small way this critical issue of peace and harmony by bringing together a cross section of citizens from students to teachers, from professionals to businessmen.
Three prominent speakers were invited to speak on the occasion. Dr Richard Gonsalves, president of St Aloysius College Alumni Association welcomed the guests to the dais and honored them with flower bouquets. A brief introduction of the speakers was done by Dr R L Kamath, Archie Menezes and professor Edmund Frank. Addressing the gathering Dr Joe Verghese, senior consultant physician and director of Omega Hospital said, "The attempt to have peace should start from within first, then with the family and then the neighborhood. S M Jabbar a renowned Yakshagana artist narrated his childhood co-oexistence and co-dependence of the people of different religion at his birthplace Sampaje. He said, this motherland of ours has the magic, to erase all ill-feelings within a person and to create an environment for all to live in peace and harmony. The third speaker Walter D'Souza reiterated the same and said it is we who can make or break a society. He advised the youngsters not to react on listening to rumors but to act with caution.
The speakers were given mementos to mark the occasion and for their participation. Along with the speakers, Fr Swebert D'Silva, principal of St Aloysius College, Yatish Baikampady, president Rotary Club Mangaluru and Dr Richard Gonsalves, president of SACAA graced the dais.
Archie Menezes rendered the vote of thanks saying that many Rotarians and SACAA members joined hands to make this event a success and to pass the message of peace and harmony in our neighbourhood and country.