Governor Underscores Importance of Secularism, Protection of all Faiths, Life & Liberty
by Gabriel Vaz
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Jan 31: Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj underscored the importance of Secularism, which is the basic feature of Indian Constitution, and said attempts to undermine or weaken secularism by attacking Churches or places of worship belonging to different communities can never be tolerated.
Addressing a largely attended annual Federation Day programme of the Bangalore-based Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) after conferring the prestigious life-time achievement award to `Konkan Kogull’ Wilfy Rebimbus, which was received by his son Vishwas in Wilfy’s absence due to ill-health, professional excellence to Vijaya Bank Chairman and Managing Director, and Entrepreneur of the Year to Adrian D’Souza, Director of Deccan Group of Companies, he lauded the contribution of Christians in the fields of education, health-care and social service.
"Protection of the life and liberty and allowing people of different faiths to follow and propagate their religion is the essence of Indian democracy. It is the responsibility of everybody, especially those in power, to see that nobody is allowed to flout the democratic norms and laws of the land,’’ he said disclosing that he has been in constant touch and dialogue with those in power, including the Chief Minister and Home Minister following the incidents of attacks against Churches and other places of worship as also on the life and liberties of minorities.
Dr Bhardwaj disclosed that he had been flooded with telephone calls from Ambassadors of different countries following the attacks against Churches and pointed out that such incidents marred the image of Karnataka and of India. ``We know what happened in Punjab and the disasterous consequences of Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple and what happened in Uttar Pradesh and rest of India after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, which blackened India’s face in the Islamic World. Both the events are permanent dark spots in the country’s democratic and secular fabric,’’ he said.
"The Vedic teachings of `Tamasoma jyotirgamaya’ or banishing from darkness and leading to light were nothing different from what Jesus Christ preached and practiced,’’ he said pointing out that Christ had proclaimed, ``I am the light’’ and gave the message of peace and love to mankind. Christ taught the people to serve the poorest of the poor, the Governor said.
"Christians are peace-loving, law-abiding and service-minded people. They have not harassed anybody. I am impressed by their service and initiative wherever I visit,’’ he said pointing out that he and his wife were overwhelmed by his visit to St Aloysius College in Mangalore recently and the activities of the Sarang community radio launched by the institution.
Warmly appreciating the service and contribution of Christian missionaries in different parts of the country, particularly in the strife-torn North-East, Dr Bhardwaj recalled that the education, enlightenment, love and the values of truthfulness and righteousness that Christian missionaries had inculculcated among the people were mainly responsible in restoring peace and normalcy in the North-East, Mizoram and Assam.
Dr Bhardwaj lauded the rich cultural heritage of Konkani language and said development of all languages and their culture was an asset to the country as India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity. But the national language of Hindi and the international language of English, which is also widely known in the country, are the tools for forging and promoting national integration, he said.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President and former Minister R V Deshpande, who himself is an eminent Konkani leader, spoke in Konkani and lauded the contribution of Wilfy Rebimbus as a singer, music composer, writer and playwright. ``I feel he richly deserves bigger national awards like Padmasthri or Padmabhushan. We will do whatever is possible to suggest Wilfy’s name for consideration for the national awards. With the help and support of the Karnataka Governor and the Archbishop, I am sure this will be a reality soon,’’ he said regretting that Wilfy himself could not attend the function.
"Konkani is a sweet and truly secular language as it is spoken by Hindus, Christians, Muslims (Navayats) and Siddis of South African origin,’’ he said urging people, especially those in public life to learn more and more languages so as to communicate with the people and serve them better.
Deshpande condemned the series of attacks against Churches and places of worship belonging to Christians and other minority communities and said this tendency and the failure of the Government to put down such incidents with an iron hand was a ``dark chapter’’ in the history of the State. He urged more and more people, especially educated people and youngsters from the Christian community to join politics and be part of the mainstream to ensure that the murky world of politics where caste, muscle or money power plays enormous role.
Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras, who presided over the Federation Day programme, urged the Konkani Catholics to be united and work for the upliftment of not only the members of the community but the less fortunate among other communities. ``We need to develop the qualities of leadership, dedication and commitment so that everybody worked for the growth and development of the community, the church and the state as also the entire country,’’ he said.
Appreciating the unity and support extended by the Catholics and Christians and other sections of society following the incidents of attacks against churches and places of worship, he said the Government must deal with the situation with a firm hand so that such incidents did not recur. At the same time, he appealed to Christians and other enlightened sections of society to follow Deshpande’s advice to join politics.
"Discharging our democratic duties, enrolling namses in the voters’ list and exercising our right to franchise must scrupulously followed,’’ he said explaining his efforts to educate the people in this regard and the exercise carried out in the Bangalore Archdiocese and in other Dioceses by different Bishops in Karnataka.
The FKCA Day, which was held for the first time in the morning with a mass in Konkani with Rev Fr Lawrence D’Souza, Director of St John’s Academy of Medical Sciences, was a big success in terms of the large turn-out of the people. The young choir group of Rajajinagar Kokani Welfare Association sang melodious Konkani hymns. The offertory collection of over Rs 19,000 was presented to the Arcbishop for his Asha Foundation Education Initiative to help the poor and needy students. FKCA Chairman Charles Gomes welcomed, while General Secretary Naveen D’Souza presented a report on the Federation’s activities.
Anil Rego proposed a vote of thanks. FKCA Vice Chairman Albina Vaz, who has proved herself to be a versatile compere with her ability to function the role of Master of Ceremonies in Konkani, Kannada and English during the FKCA Day celebrations, charmed the audience. The formal function was followed by a variety entertainment programme conducted by members of different Kokani Catholic Associations.
The Federation, started in 1998 for espousing the cause of Konkani Catholics in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka, has grown with as many as 25 Konkani Catholic Associations in different parts of Bangalore and Mysore and Eight from different countries – Three in Dubai and Abu Dhabi of UAE, and one each in Kuwait, Qatar, USA, UK and Canada.
A major achievement of the Federation is the initiative in helping several members of different affiliated Associations in getting well-developed and BMRDA approved housing sites on the Bangalore-Tumkur highway near Nelamangala to 60 families. The Federation has also launched a Free Placement Service Cell, Matrimonial Cell and Legal Aid Cell. After successfully organising well-attended Entrepreneurs Meet in Bangalore for the last two years, the Federation has recently taken the initiative to establish a full-fledged independent body to help the young and budding entrepreneurs.
WILFY REBIMBUS: Will turn 68 on April 2 this year, is a multi-faceted and versatile personality. Known for his charming and affable nature, he is a gifted music composer, playwright and short story writer and is a household name among all Konkani Catholics. Born in Mangalore in a poor family, he came up in life the hard way and started composing and singing Konkani songs at the young age of 14. By 15, he had written his first Konkani play, ``Poishyamcho Somvsaar,’’ and got it staged through the St Joseph’s Natak Sabha in Mangalore.
He has contributed and enriched the Konkani music world for over 50 years composing over 3,000 songs, 500 stage shows and conducted as many as 248 musical nites in Mangalore and different parts of Karnataka and even abroad besides publishing 9 volumes of Song Books. In addition, he has brought out a book, ``Kogul Gaaithaa,’’ comprising 40 volumes in 4 editions, 40 highly popular music audio cassettes besides 6 volumes of devotional and 1 instrumental album. He has written 3 Konkani musical plays, Hazaar Umaalyamche Kazaar, Vechik Pooth and Mother Theresa.
He has also composed songs and written stories for Konkani Movies, Mog ani Moipas, Bogsaane, Kaazaara Upraanth and Paadri besides writing the story for the Konkani film, Tisri Cheet. He has showered with several awards including the Karnataka Government’s prestigious Rajyothsava Award, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award, Sandesha and DaijiDubai Puraskar Awards.
ALBERT TAURO: He turns 59 on March 11, is a leading banker with over 37 years of experience. Hailing as he does from the undivided coastal Dakshina Kannada district, which is known as the cradle of Indian Banking Industry, he began his banking career with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Mumbai, in 1971 after his post-graduation in Commerce with CAIIB. He had his induction into commercial banking on September 10, 1975, when he left RBI to join Canara Bank as an officer. During his long career spanning over 32 years, he has served the bank several places in different capacities.
He rose to become the Executive Director of Central Bank of India on June 6, 2007, and also served as the member of the Board of Centbank Financial & Custodial Services Ltd and Centbank Home Finance Ltd. Tauro is an experienced and multi-dimensional banker with extensive exposure to every conceivable area of banking. He was elevated as the Chairman and Managing Director of Vijaya Bank on August 2, 2008 and will continue in the position until superannuation till March 31, 2011.
ADRIAN JOSEPH D’SOUZA: Born in 1960, Sri Adrian Joseph D’Souza is a successful businessman and industrialist involved in several leading manufacturing companies in the capital intensive Power Equipments, Structural Systems, Transformers and Leather Fashions. A rank-holder from Bangalore’s leading Engineering College, R V College of Engineering, in Electrical Engineering, he joined his father’s small sector business enterprise and through his vision, dedication and hard-work expanded it cover diverse fields and thereby opening new business and employment opportunities. Southern Power Equipment Co Pvt Ltd, Deccan Structural Systems Pvt Ltd, Deccan Leather Fashions and Gibu Fabrications Pvt Ltd, the four prominent companies in the Group having D’Souza as Director, have the enviable distinction of providing direct employment to about 1,500 persons and a total annual turnover of over Rs 160 crore.