Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 4: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the regional commission for the laity had invited all the elected members of gram panchayat from 14 dioceses of Karnataka for one-day 'Samavesh' at Rosario cultural hall here on Friday October 2. The Samavesh was organized by the regional laity commission of Bishops Conference of Karnataka along with the diocesan laity commission of Mangaluru.

Dr Bernard Moras the Archbishop of Bengaluru, Dr Aloysius Paul Souza, bishop of Mangaluru, Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop of Beltangady, Dr Geevarghese Mar Divannasios, bishop of Puttur, Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of Shimoga, and chairman of the laity commission Dr Peter Machado were present.

Oscar Fernandes, member of Rajya Sabha, J R Lobo, local MLA, Ivan D'Souza, MLC, Jacintha Alfred, mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation were also present.

Oscar Fernandes in his address said that the values of Mahatma Gandhi must be inculcated in order to serve the people better. "If we are responsible at the village level then we are more responsible at the national level," he added.

J R Lobo in his introductory talk said, "We have to serve all people irrespective of caste, creed and religion and only then will leadership develop naturally. "Elected representatives should have knowledge of his/her rights and duties, and control over his/her speech and should have discipline in life," he said.

William D’Souza, director of MYKAPS from Mysuru spoke on the availability of the facilities from the gram panchayat. John Bosco, a social worker from PMSC of Mysuru spoke on the duties and the responsibilities of a gram panchayat. Roy Castelino, president of Konkani Sahitya Academy and M P Noronha, syndicate member of Mangaluru University moderated the session.

At the concluding session Ivan D'Souza, MLC said that to achieve one's goals, one has try hard in spite of difficulties. Jacintha Alfred, mayor of the city advised the elected members to render their service to the people in their respective wards with courage.

Archbishop honoured the MLA, MLC and the mayor and all the elected representatives of the 14 dioceses of Karnataka. In his presidential address the bishop of Mangaluru said that the elected members must render their services to the society specially to the downtrodden with the spirit of Jesus.

A short play on 'Ideal Administration', arranged by Fr Oswald Monteiro, was enacted by the members of 'Samsara' group of BC Road.

The Samavesh began with a prayer dance directed by Sister Anthony Mary UFS followed by a prayer service led by Fr Paul Sebastian D'Souza, assistant parish priest of Cathedral parish. A floral tribute was offered to Mahatma Gandhi's portrait by the dignitaries and the elected representatives.

Dr Peter Machado, the regional chairman of the laity commission welcomed the gathering and Fr Arul Selva Kumar proposed vote of thanks. Aloysius D'Souza compered the programme. The regional joint secretary to the laity commission Clara Fernandes and Fr J B Crasta, the diocesan laity commission were present.