Udupi: Catholic Sabha Felicitates Dr Ramdas Pai on Mother Theresa Birth Anniversary
Pics: Mayur Studio, Santhekatte
News by Kevin Rodrigues
Udupi, Mar 21: Catholic Sabha of Mangalore Pradesh ® held the annual meet of Udupi deanery at Mount Rosary Church millennium auditorium, Kallianpur, on Sunday March 20.
The birth centenary of Bharat Ratna late Mother Theresa was celebrated on the occasion. Manipal University chancellor Padmabhushan Dr Ramdas M Pai was felicitated at the same time for his special work in issuing health cards to the Konkani community at subsidized rates.
Fr Marcel Saldanha felicitated Pramila Pinto, a student of Manasa Special School, Pamboor, who will represent India in the Special Olympic Games at Athens in June 2011.
Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh president Walter Cyril Pinto and Manipal University chancellor Padmabhushan Dr Ramdas M Pai jointly inaugurated the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Walter Pinto said that service and unity are the prime objectives of the Catholic Sabha. He added that the health cards that are issued by Manipal University are a boon to the Konkani community.
Walter Pinto further said that the Catholic Sabha is planning to donate a dialysis unit to Manipal University to treat the poor patients referred by the Catholic Sabha at lower rates.
Dr Ramdas Pai released ‘Posko Pathi Anni Ithar Kanniyo,’ a Konkani short story book authored by litterateur Dr Gerald Pinto on the same occasion. It is the 14th Konkani book authored by Dr Gerald Pinto.
Veronica Cornelio said that Manipal Arogya Card has been very useful to the Christian community. “Nearly 15,019 families had applied for this card. In this regard, the Catholic Sabha collected nearly Rs 24 lac while Manipal University bore the treatment charges to the extent of Rs 1.76 crore,” she said.
She also urged the card holders to renew the cards as and when they come up for renewal.
Cornelio read out the felicitation letter of Dr Pai. Catholic Sabha central committee spiritual director Fr Vincent Monteiro felicitated Dr Pai by draping a shawl and presenting him a flower bouquet, a memento, and a citation letter.
Dr Pai, acknowledging his felicitation, said that it’s the team work of Manipal University and its healthcare divisions that deserves the credit. He also appreciated the service of Catholic Sabha in promoting Manipal Arogya Cards among the community.
Former president L J Fernandes, in his keynote address, emphasized the humanitarian work of Bharat Ratna Mother Theresa as well as the social service undertaken by Catholic Sabha across the diocese.
Catholic Sabha Udupi deanery president Louis D’Almeida presided over the function.
AICU state president Elroy Kiran Crasto, Catholic Sabha central committee spiritual director Fr Vincent Monteiro, Kallianpur parish Catholic Sabha spiritual director Fr Marcel Saldanha, Mount Rosary parish Catholic Sabha spiritual director Fr Philip Neri, Catholic Sabha Udupi deanery secretary Richard D’Souza, Catholic Sabha Mount Rosary parish secretary Benedict Menezes, vice-president Jerry Vincent Dias, Catholic Sabha Udupi deanery president Sanjay Andrade, Catholic Sabha Shriva deanery president William Machado, Catholic Sabha Kallianpur deanery president Luke D’Souza, and Catholic Sabha Kundapur deanery president Alwyn Quadros were present on the dais.
The representatives of Catholic Sabha from Kundapur, Kallianpur, Udupi, and Shirva were present on the occasion.
Gangolli unit from Kundapur performed the drama that highlighted the humanitarian works of the late Mother Theresa.
Luke D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Richard D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks while Veronica Cornelio and Charles Korda compered the programme.