Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jan 29: The parishioners of St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai commemorated the second death anniversary of Padma Vibhushan Late George Fernandes on Friday, January 29 at Bejai church hall.

Prayers were offered at Bejai church to mark the second death anniversary of the late George Fernandes and tribute was also paid to his graveyard.

Speaking at the condolence meet, parish priest of Bejai church Dr J B Saldanha said, "The Late George Fernandes was a person who lived a modest life. He inspired the youths to live an honest life, one which discards corruption. It is very rare these days to see such leaders who are as selfless as the late George Fernandes. His contributions to the nation were monumental. We will carry out training sessions for youths so that they continue to be inspired by George Fernandes."

"We urge the political leaders, MCC representatives to rename the Mangaluru Junction railway station and the road from MCC to Bejai Circle after Padma Vibhushan Late George Fernandes. It is possible if we work irrespective of caste, religion and party," said Dr J B Saldanha.

Brother of the Late George Fernandes, Michael Fernandes said, "The Late George Fernandes was always against corruption. This year his autobiography will be released and a professor of Jamia University is working on it."

Former MLA J R Lobo said, "I thank the church parishioners for commemorating the second death anniversary of the Late George Fernandes. He was one of those people on whom the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee vested a lot of faith on. After becoming a minister, George resided in Maharastra and other states. But his love for his home town never faded and he kept contributing towards the welfare of his home town. He was the driving force behind the introduction of Konkan railway."

Corporator Sudheer Shetty said, "Proposal has been sent in MCC meeting regarding the renaming of Mangaluru Junction railway station after the Late George Fernandes. There is a lot of procedure that will be involved in this as it would go to state cabinet, then to the central, so we need to work together in making this possible by working collaboratively with state BJP president MP Nalin Kumar Kateel."

On the occasion, three upcoming leaders in trade union Sukumar Naik, Umar Shafi and Samson Richard Karkada were felicitated.

Corporators Lancelot Pinto, Shakeela Kava, Jayanth Anchar, Manohar Shetty, principal Lourdes Central School, Fr Robert D'Souza, assistant parish priest, Bejai church, Fr Pramod Crasta, Fr Vishwas Joy Misquith, superior St Angela Convent, Sr Severine Crasta, superior daughters of St Paul Sr Neena Mathias, coordinator church associations, Irene Crasta, president ICYM Shiny Lewis and Rony D Silva from Catholic Sabha were present.

Vice president of parish pastoral council Bejai Ashok Pinto welcomed the gathering and secretary Preethi Gomes proposed the vote of thanks.

Robin Cutinho, Jasmine D'Souza and Carol Santhumayor compered the program.