Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 8: The diocese, here, on Sunday February 7 felicitated the Catholic members of gram panchayat of Kasargod and Dakshina Kannada districts at the Milagres Jubilee hall.

The elections of gram panchayat members were held in Kerala and Karnataka in 2020. A training session on the responsibilities of the members of the gram panchayats was conducted for 132 candidates of both districts. The elected candidates were honoured by the Bishop of Mangaluru.

Wilfred D'Souza a journalist and agriculturist as well as former instructor and trainer of ‘the Abdul Nazeer Sab State Institute for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj’ conducted the training programme session explaining the history of Panchayat Raj in India with special reference to Karnataka and Kerala. He cited that the system of Panchayat Raj works in Kerala better than in any other state of India. He also said that Karnataka state has been taken as ideal in implementing the Panchayat Raj system in India. He explained to the members how the Panchayats administrated and how it functions.

The vicar general, Maxim Nornha of the diocese, the chief guest of the function, greeted the elected members. He said that the position of the members of the Panchayats is not a bed of roses. In order to retain their seat for the next five years and above, the members have to work hard and to reach the people as many times as possible. He appreciated their zeal and enthusiasm to serve the people at the local level of Panchayats.

The Bishop of Mangaluru honored all the elected members with a shawl, a copy of the Indian, and a New Testament. He said that we are given many rights and duties in our Constitution. Every member must know his or her basic rights and work accordingly for the betterment of the people. The elected members of the gram panchyats must keep in mind that they were given an opportunity to render their service to their community. He also said that they must be available to the people of their grams in all circumstances. In the absence of Dr Ronald Colaco the philanthropist and NRI the chief guest, the bishop thanked him for his generous contribution to the community. He also recalled the good news of European International University conferring a professional doctorate on Ronald Colaco and extending his best wishes to him. He also honored the chairman of MCC Bank for their generous contribution. The bishop appreciated the initiative of the lay faithful commission and the Catholic Sabha for conducting the training and felicitation programme.

The programme was well attended by the local corporators town panchayat members, and the members of the lay faithful commission and the Catholic Sabha. The programme began with a prayer song led by Anil Patrao and the team. JOYLUS D'SOUZA, CHAIRMAN of KARNATAKA CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Roy Castelino the PRO of the diocese introduced the trainer, M P Noronha, the advocate, Austin Peris, Anil Lobo the chairman of Mangaluru MCC Bank Joylus D'Souza, chairman of Karnataka Christian Development Board who were present on the dais.

Fr J B Cratsa, secretary of the lay faithful commission, welcomed the guests and gathering with an introductory note. Stany Lobo, the president of the Catholic Sabha proposed the vote of thanks. Stany Alvares compered the programme. The session ended with a fellowship meal.