Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 23: The Christmas celebration at Olavina Halli on December 22 was a joyous and memorable event that brought the community together to celebrate the festive season.

The event was held at Olavina Halli along with Saint Paul and Saint Antony ward people and was attended by esteemed guests and a large number of local residents. At Olavina Halli there are about 100 destitute people who participated actively in carol singing and enacting the story of blind beggar that left the audience in awe.

The programme commenced with a prayer dance by the youth of locality and warm welcome address by Sr Aileen Mathias, the administrator of the centre, who greeted the gathering with heartfelt Christmas wishes and extended her thanks to everyone for their participation. She emphasised the spirit of love, peace, and unity that Christmas symbolises, and encouraged all attendees to come together in the spirit of harmony.

The chief guest of the evening, Sadashiva Ullal, president of the Mangalore Urban Development Authority, addressed the gathering with inspiring words. He highlighted the importance of community collaboration and development, encouraging people to work together for the betterment of society.

Ullal also spoke on the significance of Christmas as a time to reflect on kindness, compassion, and sharing.

T Ismail, president of Thalapady Panchayath, was the guest of honour for the evening. His speech focused on the importance of celebrating festivals as a means to strengthen community bonds. He emphasised that Christmas serves as a reminder of the importance of togetherness and the need to support one another, especially in challenging times. He also called upon all to avoid communalism, violence and fundamentalism.

Fr Victor D’Mello, the parish priest of Our lady of Mercy Church, Paneer, delivered a meaningful message, reflecting on the birth of Christ and its message of peace, joy, and love for all. His words resonated deeply with the audience, reminding everyone to embrace the true spirit of Christmas in their lives. The celebration was also attended by Dileep Dias, assistant manager of Federal Bank and Fr Cyril Pinto, the Chaplain of the centre shared the stage.

The event also featured cultural performances, including traditional Christmas carols and dances, which added to the festive cheer. Tulu skit organized by tany and team left the audience with cheer. The evening was filled with laughter, joy, and a deep sense of unity, with attendees sharing the warmth of the season. The musical concert by the youth was appreciated by all.

The celebration concluded with a grand Christmas feast, where everyone came together to share sweets and enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

The success of the event was a testament to the efforts of the organisers, volunteers, and the community at large, who worked together to create a memorable celebration of Christmas at Olavina Halli.