Bangalore: CM Assures One Acre of Land to Catholic Community
News and Pics by Jessie Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network—Bangalore (CN)
Bangalore, Feb 1: The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) of Bangalore, held its Federation Day on Sunday February 1. The function commenced with a Holy Mass in Konkani celebrated by Fr Archibald Gonsalves.
Archbishop Bernard Moras presided over the function while Dr B S Yeddyurappa, chief minister (CM) of Karnataka, Dr V S Acharya, state home minister, and Ronald Colaco were the guests of honour.
Clarence Pais was honoured for lifetime achievement, while Felix Lobo Doha was named entrepreneur of the year and Dr Joseph Wilson Lobo was felicitated for professional excellence. All the three awards were presented by the home minister.
Colaco in his speech, referred to the atrocities on churches in Karnataka especially in Mangalore and explained that there cannot be any forcible conversions. He then requested the home minister to waive all the charges against Catholic youths for their action against the police force during that time.
The home minister assured that he would look into the matter and take necessary action. Dr Yeddyurappa said that as a goodwill gesture, he would allot one acre of land to the Catholic Society for their activities. Archbishop Moras in his speech thanked the home minister and the CM for their goodwill gesture and also requested the latter to consider allocation of funds for the Catholic pilgrims to the Holy Land on the model adopted by Andhra Pradesh.
Chairman of the Federation, Charles Gomes welcomed the gathering at the beginning. General Secretary, Anil Rego in his report, briefed the gathering about the activities of the Federation. Ida Sequeira proposed the Vote of Thanks
Albeena Vaz compered the programme in a highly professional way with extremely apt and meaningful introductions and references to each aspect of the function.
Prominent among the many important guests present on the occasion were Justice Michael Saldanha, former Judge of the Karnataka High Court, F T R Colaco, former DGP of Karnataka, Fr Walter D'mello, Parish Priest of Milagres Church. Ivan Fernandes, Founder and former President of Kanara Entrepreneurs Ltd., Dubai and Managing Director of Ducont FZ LLc, Dubai, Maxim D'mello, President of Mangalorean Association of Canada, Ramanath Bhat, President of Tuluvernaklu, Noel Noronha, President of Basel Mission, Leslie Rego and Claud D'souza of United Youngsters, Mangalore, Felix D'souza from Mumbai and Mariswamy, State Convener of Federation of Dalits' Associations.
The function was followed by cultural programmes presented by all the associations. It was well-attended with the Konkani Catholics showing solidarity.
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