Catholics of DK Accord Spectacular Honour to Guv Margaret Alva
Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RX/CN)
Mangalore, Dec 18: Dr Margaret Alva, governor of Uttarakhand, the first Catholic governor of the nation, was honoured by the Catholics of undivided Dakshina Kannada district at Jubilee Hall, Milagres here on Saturday December 18.
She was escorted to the venue in a grand procession by the students’ bands of St Gerosa High School and St Agnes College.
Fr Walter D’Mello, parish priest, Milagres Church, in his welcome address commended Dr Alva for her vigorous zeal in promoting women’s rights and women’s empowerment.
John Prasad Menezes, former president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), exulted in the iconic and towering personality of Dr Alva and said that she has been bestowed with the fourth highest constitutional award of the nation.
Dr Derek Lobo, president, Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK), in his citation expressed his immense joy at her achievement.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore, presented the citation to Dr Alva. He said that the Catholics of Dakshina Kannada are extremely proud of her individual achievements. He said that she is one who would defend the rights of God and the Church and her people in a crisis like the communal riots which the city witnessed some time ago.
Dr Alva, overwhelmed by the welcome given to her by the people, said that the people of Mangalore had given her the due respect which usually even prophets don’t receive in their own town. She expressed her pride in being a Mangalorean and said that people have worked hard to give an impetus for recognition of Konkani as one of the national languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
She said that her political journey was not a bed of roses and recalled the ups and downs she had to undergo in the political arena. Dr Alva added that her husband Niranjan Alva, is her unflinching support in all trials and tribulations.
She was given a floral welcome by all heads of the religious institutions and the representatives of prominent Catholic organizations of Mangalore.
Ann Pai compered the programme. ‘Follow the Christmas Star’, a play directed by Rajani Lobo Patrao, was staged at the end of the programme.
Fr Joseph Rodrigues, rector of St Aloysuis, Fr Patrick, director, Father Muller Hospital, Catholic Sabha president Deepak D’Souza, Mandd Sobhann president Louie J Pinto, and ICYM president Vincent Rodrigues were some of the dignitaries present on the occasion.
The civic reception was sponsored by three organizations—the Milagres Church Centenary Celebration Committee, Catholic Association of South Kanara(CASK), and Rachana (the Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
Dr Alva studied at the Apostolic Carmel, Lady Hill, St Mary’s, and in St Agnes. She pursued her law studies in Bangalore. She married Niranjan Alva on May 24, 1964, and has one daughter and three sons, as well as nine grandsons.
She is well-known for her role in the 1992 New Mangalore Port grievance which secured clean water and clean beaches for Mangloreans. Dr Alva is also famous for her role in the development of railways from Mangalore to Hassan and Bangalore which made commuting easy for people of the region.
She also played a prominent role in the early 1980’s for the development of postgraduate courses in Mangalore. Dr Alva is better known for her role in fighting for women’s rights and women’s empowerment. She was bestowed with prestigious awards like the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award and is an ardent supporter of Konkani language and culture.